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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuels: Facing the Issues

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore energy by researching fuel usage on Earth. In this fossil fuel lesson, students define fossil fuels, the energy created by burning them, and the impact on the environment when using them. Students conduct pollution...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar S'Mores

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students see that solar energy is the energy given off by the sun. They explain that when light energy is absorbed by objects it is changed to heat energy and that dark-colored objects absorb more light and store more heat from sunlight.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar S'Mores

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students investigate solar energy. In this solar energy lesson, students compare how heat is absorbed in light-colored objects and dark-colored objects by making S'mores.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar S’Mores

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students cook with the power of the sun. In this solar energy lesson, students explore solar cooking as they apply scientific principles to cook s'mores.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who's Got Your Power

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine and map local sources of energy. They conduct Internet research on their local utility company, identify where their utility company obtains energy, graph the data, and label a map of power plant locations in their state.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking into Surface Albedo

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students demonstrate how the color of materials on Earth affect the amount of solar energy that is absorbed.  In this solar energy lesson students complete a lab to explore how the color of materials on the Earth's surface impacts warming. 
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Fossil Fuel Power Stations

For Students 5th - 6th
In these energy worksheets, students learn about fossil fuels and the power stations that use the fuels. Students complete a 14 page packet about fossil fuels and power stations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Particle Man and the Photon

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners simulate photon transmission, scattering and absorption. In this physics lesson, students explain why some objects appear bright while others appear dark. They define photon and radiation in their own words.
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Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Wherefore Art Thou, Albedo?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
In the sixth lesson in a series of 21, scholars use NASA data to graph and interpret albedo seasonally and over the course of multiple years. This allows learners to compare albedo trends to changes in sea ice with connections to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Albedo and Irradiation of Surfaces

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is a physical science activity where pupils place thermometers inside of a white and a black paper pocket and place them under a lamp. They record and compare the temperature increase over a ten-minute period. Have your class...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunlight and Plants

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students design and conduct an experiment to discover the role of direct sunlight on plants during germination and after germination. They plant corn and lima beans in small containers which they place in direct sunlight from a window...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Transfer of Thermal Energy

For Students 7th - 12th
In this thermal energy worksheet, students will explore different ways heat is transferred including conduction and convection. Students will look at how insulators work and how room temperature can affect heat transfer. This worksheet...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Effects of Solar Energy

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Young scholars examine how solar energy is absorbed and used.  For this solar energy lesson students complete several activities that allow them to better understand solar energy. 
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Lab Resource
Colorado State University

How Does the Earth Cool Itself Off?

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Where does all the heat go when the sun goes down? An interesting lesson has learners explore this question by monitoring the infrared radiation emitted over time. They learn that hot spots cool more quickly that cooler spots.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heat Absorption and Radiation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students experiment with the concepts of absorption and reflection of radiant energy.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun Affects Earth

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read, write, and listen to information about the sun and its effects on the Earth.as it relates to its axis, orbit, rotate, and revolution.  In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders examine how the sun effects the Earth's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blueprint Paper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate chemical reactions involved in making a blueprint. In this blueprint paper lesson plan, students expose blueprint paper with writing that has been soaked in a solution of potassium ferricyanide and iron (III)...
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What is Astronomy?

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Go study the universe. Pupils learn seven aspects about astronomy and astronomers. They begin to learn about constellations; distance and motion between objects; gravity; the electromagnetic spectrum; dark matter and energy; and teams of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Night Golf Classroom Guide

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read the story "Night Golf" and respond to questions that enhance their comprehension of the book's message.  In this reading lesson, students participate in a literature circle to explore reading passages. Students  personalize...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Light

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore light.  In this light wave physics lesson plan, students construct periscopes, kaleidoscopes, color wheels, and pinhole cameras.  Students observe and record characteristics of light demonstrated through the use of these...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Science is magic that works. Magical color-changing beads and a coffee can that follows voice commands are just two examples of magic tricks that rely on science. After completing a hands-on activity and an experiment investigating the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Specialized for the Sea

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use pictures and make a mural to investigate how ocean animals are adapted to certain parts of their environment.
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PPT
Curated OER

Spectral Lines

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Slides and slides of emission spectra bring this topic to light for your physics class! Exited electrons returning to lower energy levels is offered as the cause of emission spectra. In summary, viewers learn that we can determine the...
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PPT
Curated OER

Exploring the Solar System: All About Spacecraft/Spaceflight

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Rarely do you find resources that reach high school astronomy learners. Here is something at their level! The physics of flyby missions is explained via several examples. Landing, penetrating, and roving spacecraft are examined. Diagrams...