Lesson Plan
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Universal Proportions: Earth and Moon

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create scale models of Earth, the Moon, and the distances within the universe. Working in groups, they construct their models of Earth and the Moon on a scale of 50:1 and calculate how far apart to place their models. They...
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Paper Parachutes

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Pupils participate in a simulation of a parachute-jump competition by making paper parachutes and then dropping them towards a target on the floor. They measure the distance from the point where the paper parachute lands compared to the...
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Astronomy

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students complete a series of activities to better understand space studies. In this space science instructional activity, the teacher is provided with a number of activities for students to complete such as finding words that begin with...
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Spaced Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students 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.
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Calibrating a Roverbot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars build and program a Lego Mindstorms Roverbot to travel for a given amount of time. They gather data on time versus distance traveled to determine a calibration constant for their robot, which relates time to distance.
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Strawkets and Thrust

For Teachers K - 5th
Students investigate the effect of thrust on rocket flight. They construct two paper rockets, one with a smaller exit nozzle, and compare/contrast the distances traveled by the rockets.
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Time Trials

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students investigate speed, time and distance. In this algebra lesson, students utilize their knowledge of linear equations to solve problems related to time, speed and distance. This assignment is hands on using two toy race cars.
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How Far?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore how different textures provide varying amounts of friction to objects moving across them. They build a tool to measure the amount of friction between a note card and various surfaces by measuring the distance that a...
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Discovering New Mexico

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss the elements of maps and using basic linear measurement. They calculate the distance between the cities and create a simulated journey around New Mexico using a road map. They write out the directions for their...
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Water Saving

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Water conservation and management is the focus of this lesson plan. Students identify the need for being "water wise" in society through research and discussion. and present their findings in many different formats (short story, poetry,...
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Chart the Stars

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders find constellation distances and plot the stars. In this star lesson plan, 7th graders plot the star points for Canis Major. Students use graphing calculators to graph the constellation. Students choose another...
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Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate size and orbits of Earth, Moon, and Mars. In this space science lesson plan, students will use balloons to show how the size and distance between the planets and satellite compare.
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A Road Map for the Roman Empire, Ca. 250 CE

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider how empires are created and sustained, examine Peutinger Table as a whole and in detail as tool of empire for Rome, c. 250 CE, create ancient time-distance travel chart that synthesizes series of strip maps, and...
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Redesigning the Classroom

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students redesign the classroom space. In this geometry instructional activity, students part take in making classroom rules and assigning value to the space in the classroom. They investigate measuring and problem solving in this...
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Ridgerunner

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students jog at the beginning of the class while learning about the Appalachian Trail. They integrate math into the lesson by adding up how many miles they have run, and comparing it to distances on a real trail map.
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Solar System Unit

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students probe an interdisciplinary unit on our solar system. Distances between planets, their characteristics, and applications to student's personal lives are analyzed in this experience. The unit contains seven lessons.
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The Ridge Exploring Robot

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study about an autonomous underwater vehicle and explain the strategies that it uses to locate and map hydrothermal vents. In this marine navigation lesson students design a program for an AUV survey.
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Soda Straw Rocket Activity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students construct a rocket using soda straw. In this physics lesson, students determine the nose cone length that produces the best rocket. They explain the importance of using a control in an experiment.
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Size of Per Unit Quantity

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use various strategies to find the area of land, the area of forestry and the population of Japan and the US. In this size per unit lesson, 5th graders explore how to figure ratio. Students draw pictures to...
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Electric Field Mapping in 3D

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students create a 3D vector field map of an electric field. In this physics lesson, students measure the voltage inside an aquarium with water. They present their findings and map to class..
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Rocket to Success

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate action and reaction. In this energy lesson, students use a  balloon and string to create a simple rocket. The will collect quantitative data record their observations, and relate their observations to Newton's...
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ABC Safari

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students study the animals and their alphabet letter. In this animal alphabet lesson, students associate the animals with their letter and learn facts about the animals. Students may use the cards to classify animals by groups or play a...
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Tundra Swan Fun Facts

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students read about the characteristics of tundra swan. In this tundra swan lesson, students understand the characteristics of the tundra swan and complete worksheets related to the tundra swan.
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Frog Olympics

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore the attributes of amphibians. In this physical frog biology lesson, students discover facts about the muscles of frogs and then play 2 games that require them to move like frogs.