Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rockets Away with Newton's Laws of Motion

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders comprehend Newton's Laws of Motion and to use the scientific method in rocketry sub-unit. They work through the scientific method. Students illustrate how science and Newton's Laws can be used in everyday situations and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differences between Climate and Weather

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students collect weather data over weeks, graph temperature data and compare the temperature data collected with averaged climate data where they live.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Chinese Zodiac And The Western Zodiac

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create individual horoscopes that contrast and compare Western and Chinese views of their futures using poster boards and magic markers. In-class discussion is used to evaluate the use of the Zodiac in different cultures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Honduras: Going Bananas

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the popularity of bananas. They conduct a survey to understand the reasons for their popularity. Students research a banana's journey from the farm to school lunch. They compose a children's book about bananas...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World Wide Winds

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students recognize that global winds move in specific directions in specific latitudes and describe that in a written form. They relate the motion of the wind belts to historical navigation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Winds Go Spinning Around

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers simulate the Coriolis Effect to comprehend why winds in the Westerlies are prone to cyclonic and anti-cyclonic motion. They arrive at an explanation of processes that drive world wind patterns
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tanker Spills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students predict the flow of an oil spill and depict it on a map. They explain the predicted route of the oil spill using knowledge of ocean currents in a short presentation to their peers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Driving Currents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct a variety of investigations to see how water, heat, and salinity affect the flow of the world's ocean currents,as well as, explore many factors that affect the flow of the world's ocean currents. They also describe...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Humidity Affect Cloud Formation?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers use NASA's S'COOL database to identify factors that affect cloud formation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Connection Between Convection and Inversion?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders observe a simulation demonstrating the difference between convection and inversion. They explain where and when convection and inversion layers occur and how each impacts air quality, and by connection, human health.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading Weather Maps

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders the symbols that are used on weather maps. They develop five day forecasts based on information they gather from weather maps in the newspaper and on the Internet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Patterns across the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars articulate differences between climate and weather using examples in a written statement. Using climate data from across the country, they describe climate patterns for various parts of the United States on a map. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain Shadows and Sea Breezes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot the average rainfall for a variety of cities in the United States. Using the map, they work together to determine patterns on which toxicants are transported through the air. They determine the impacts of various weather...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Air Temperature Trends of the Caribbean

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the seasonal changes to sea surface and near-surface air temperatures near the equator. They use actual satellite data to track and graph the differences in air and sea temperatures during different seasons in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carbon Dioxide Heats It Up

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students design an investigation to test whether vegetation in an area helps regulate the ambient air temperature. They make comparisons between the investigation and global changes in climate. In groups, they present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Researching Hurricanes with Technology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the components that make up a hurricane.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ozone Between Us

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate how ground level ozone occurs in many areas of the country. They study the ozone problems that are associated with population centers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Seasonal Cloud Cover Variations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students recognize different cloud types. They determine the seaonality of various types of clouds. They graph the data and determine if a correlation exists between season, cloud cover and type of clouds most prevalent during each season.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Trends of Snow Cover and Temperature in Alaska

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare NASA satellite data observations with student surface measurements of snow cover and temperature. They practice data collection, data correlations, and making scientific predictions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lake Effect

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders conduct an experiment demonstrating the effects of water and air temperature on precipitation. They create graphs demonstrating their findings using Claris Works for Kids.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Predictions

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students record weather data and create a five day forecast. Students investigate the roles of meteorologists and identify symbols used on a weather map. After gathering weather data for a week, students will create a five day forecast...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biomes: Extreme Climate

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a web connecting global warming, the Arctic, and wold climate. They write a paragraph explaining the role of the Arctic in world climate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Floods: Rising Waters and You

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the relationship between human-made structures, flood waters and the increasing population through video clips, websites and a lab experiment.