Illustrative Mathematics
Tilt of Earth's Axis and the Four Seasons
Geometry meets earth science as high schoolers investigate the cause and features of the four seasons. The effects of Earth's axis tilt features prominently, along with both the rotation of the earth about the axis and its orbit about...
Voyage Solar System
Round and Round We Go — Exploring Orbits in the Solar System
Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson plan then...
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Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?
Young scholars explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth. In this space lesson students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible.
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How Big Are Earth, Sun, and Moon?
Third graders draw what they believe is in space on a dry erase board. In groups, they are given a beaker half filled with water and they add a teaspoon of oil, observing the different layers that form. To end the lesson, they identify...
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Measuring the Diameter of the Sun
Ninth graders study the sun and its distance from Earth. In this Sun's diameter lesson students examine how measurement data permits accurate measurement of the sun's diameter.
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Where Are We Going?
Come take a ride on the space bus! Scholars go on an imaginary trip to pick up their peers from the inner and outer planets while reinforcing math skills. First, learners round decimals to identify each planets' distance from Earth....
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What Orbital Dynamic Variables are Responsible for Earth's Weather?
Learners explore the changing of the seasons. For this astronomy and seasons lesson, students construct a model of the revolution of the sun and the moon. Learners compare the recorded solstice/equinox orbital positions and explain the...
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Earth's Orbit Lesson
Tenth graders devise a computational model to explore how the orbit of the Earth might change if its velocity were different. Using accurately recorded data, 10th graders defend a scientific argument.
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Unit 2 Sun & Stars
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...
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Worksheet 19: Ship Positions
In this math worksheet, young scholars read informational paragraphs and then answer 18 questions using data from their readings. Questions are about vectors, positions, distance and orbits.
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Kepler's Third Law
Learners use Kepler's third law to derive the velocity in a circular orbit of any radius, and identify the Earth escape velocity.
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Measuring the Speed of Light
High schoolers explore physics by completing measurement problems in class. In this speed of light lesson, students discuss the importance of knowing the speed of light and how it affects many aspects of human life on Earth. High...
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The Voyage Scale
Students identify how models are powerful tools of exploration and that the sizes of the planets and distances between the planets in the Solar System span a large range. They make a sign for each planet they have created in the lesson...
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Discovering a Law of Space Physics
Students use data collected by an astronomer to determine the relationship between the time it takes the planet to orbit the sun and the average radius of the planet's orbit around the sun. Students use trial and error to find the...
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Parallax
Students discover how astronomers used the diameter of the Earth's orbit around the Sun as a baseline for estimating the distance of some stars, and the meaning of "Parsec" and "light year."
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Digital Images: From Satellites To The Internet
High schoolers examine digital images and how satellites orbiting Earth send information and pictures to Earth over the Internet. They use a digital camera to put pictures on a computer and decode a satellite image from space.
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Time Zones
Students solve time zone problems and chart travel around the world. In this time zone lesson, students learn about the history of time zones and view a time zone map. Students use the time zone map to solve time zone problems. ...
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Ellipse
Students explore the concept of ellipses including finding the center, vertices's, foci and eccentricity. They assess how to graph elliptical functions and solve application problems involving ellipses. This assignment is to be completed...
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Ellipse
Learners find the center, vertices, foci, and eccentricity of ellipses using the subscriptions website www.explorelearning.com. They graph elliptical functions and solve application problems involving ellipses.
NASA
Lights on the International Space Station
Groups explore illumination with NASA's Lighting Environment Test Facility (LETF) as a context. Using the TI-Nspire app, groups determine the lux equation that models their simulation. They then use the lux equation to solve problems...
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'Tis a Long, Long Way to Tipperary!
Learners practice finding the location of cities across the world by using an interactive Web site, and figure out the world's time and the value of time zones the world over.
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Space: The Final Frontier
Sixth graders construct a graph to demonstration information that they've learned about the solary system. They also write or illustrate a sonar or lunar eclipse.
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Gravity - The Glue of the Universe
Students explore physics by conducting a class experiment. In this gravitational force lesson, students define several scientific terms associated with force. Students utilize a styrofoam cup and marbles to simulate a satellite crashing...
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The Mathematical Fingerprint of Our Solar System
Learners study the beautiful mathematical model unique to our solar system.