Interactive
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Drought in Your State

For Students 6th - 10th
In this drought worksheet, students study the "US Drought Monitor" and complete 8 short answer questions on the causes and effects of drought.
Worksheet
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Hurricane Predictions

For Students 6th - 9th
In this hurricane learning exercise, learners analyze and interpret a hurricane graph. They complete 5 short answer questions that follow.
Lesson Plan
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Our Solar System

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders describe the composition of our solar system. They recognize the names of the planets in our solar system and compare and contrast the nine planets that orbit the sun.
Lesson Plan
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How High Does the Atmosphere Go?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explain how relatively thin the atmosphere is, compared to the size of the planet, and determine the relative extent of the four major atmospheric layers.
Lesson Plan
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Out of This World

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils are introduced to the solar system and its place in the universe. They begin to grasp the idea of very large numbers by estimating and computing how long it take the class to make a million x's.
Lesson Plan
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Unit 2 Sun & Stars

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students describe stellar objects using terms such as stars, planets, satellites, orbits and light. In this sun and stars unit, students research stellar objects through seven individual lessons discovering star characteristics, how...
Lesson Plan
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Building a Scale Model

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders create a model of the solar system. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders create a scale model of the solar system. Working in pairs students solve mathematical problems to correctly measure the distance each planet is...
Lesson Plan
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The Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars classify the planets in the solar system, study planetary objects, and measure the relative distance between planets. In this solar system lesson, students use toilet paper to complete a scale model of the distance between...
Lesson Plan
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The Goldilocks Principle: A Model of Atmospheric Gases

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students discuss the characteristics of the Goldilocks Principle. They discover the pressure and chemical composition of Venus and Mars. They discuss how the Earth's temperature is affected by the atmosphere.
Lesson Plan
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The Magic School Bus Lost in Space

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify the planets by making two models of the Solar System. They create a model that shows the order of the planets and a model that shows the planets sizes as compared to one another. They may write about the planet they...
Lesson Plan
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Continents and Oceans on the Move

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Young scholars create an awareness of the vast percentage of water covering the earth. They relate similarities/differences between topographical maps and other maps of various time periods. Students examine how to use a topographical map.
Lesson Plan
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Timing the Tides

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students collect data and describe how and why the high and low tides change from day to day.  In exploring tides lesson students study tides by taking notes, recording data and analyzing their findings. 
Worksheet
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What is Retrograde Motion

For Students 8th - 10th
For this retrograde motion worksheet, students draw a diagram of the night sky by connecting dots to show retrograde motion. They compare retrograde motion to an optical illusion and answer questions about both.
Lesson Plan
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Kepler and his Laws

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Kepler's Laws. They confirm Kepler's 3rd law by comparing orbital periods and mean distances for all major planets and study conic sections, qualitatively.
Lesson Plan
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Oceans and Weather

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students analyze the impact the ocean and its currents have on weather. In this oceans and weather activity, students analyze data comparing inland and coastal weather, and analyze satellite data for evidence of El Nino.
Lesson Plan
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Summarize This!

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explore how to summarize a reading passage. They read non-fiction books. Students use a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the two animals they read about. They write a summary using the information in their Venn Diagram.
Lesson Plan
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Earthquakes

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the melting of ice. In this phase change lesson, students observe ice as it melts. They discuss the process and create a Venn diagram comparing water and ice.
Organizer
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Student Exploration: Weight and Mass

For Students 7th - 8th
In this student exploration-weight and mass worksheet, student use the Weight and Mass Gizmo to answer questions and fill in charts with estimating and measuring.
Lesson Plan
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Plotting Data on a Graph

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate graphing. In this graphing lesson, students survey the class and create graphs to reflect the data collected.
Lesson Plan
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Plate Tectonic - Volcanoes Pre Lab

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders draw and compare parts of volcano. They investigate parts of a volcano and distinguish between magma and lava.
Lesson Plan
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Understanding Climate

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create two dioramas out of household materials to compare the influence of various factors that impact climate. Each group discuss how the change in factors influenced the climate, flora, and fauna of their area.
Lesson Plan
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Central Tendency

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare and contrast different sets of data on the basis of measures of central tendency.
Lesson Plan
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Star Systems

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students study a star system and see how the planets move around stars.  In this star system lesson students complete an activity and see what an eclipse is.
Lesson Plan
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Spaced Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the transit of Venus and the information that this minieclipse provides about the distance between the Earth and the sun. They create their own astronomical units.