Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Measuring the Diameter of Our Star

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct an experiment to measure the diameter of the sun. In this astronomy lesson,  students construct a simple equipment to collect scientific data. They calculate the sun's diameter using a given formula.
Lesson Plan
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How Things Fly

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students, by drawing on their own experiences, discuss and examine the basic physics of flight. They participate in a variety of activities regarding flight.
Lesson Plan
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Tasty Solution

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine the difference between a solvent, solute and solution.  In this solutions lesson plan students complete an experiment and observe what happens when a solution is stirred. 
Lesson Plan
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Paleogeographic Mapping (o.k. Fossils Are Neat But What Good Are They?)

For Teachers 1st - 7th
Students examine how evidence from fossils can be used in paleogeographic interpretation. They gain experience in developing multiple hypotheses.
Lesson Plan
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Plants and Air Purity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how green plants help improve air quality. They read an article and discuss the importance of air quality and its effects on the human body. They investigate by connecting hose to the top of a Bell jar and to a funnel....
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Ice Ain't Easy

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are told that objects in contact with one another reach an equilibrium temperature. A hot object placed in a cool liquid always cool off. It never happens that the object gets hotter and cool liquid gets colder. Students...
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Through A Pinhole

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students construct a pinhole camera using their knowledge of the physics of light. This interdisciplinary activity give students hands-on experience in understanding the production and processing of photographic images.
Lesson Plan
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Aquifers

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students participate in an experiment about aquifers. They answer questons and make observations about the experiment. They discuss how they can make a difference in the way water is used.
Lesson Plan
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Screening River Rocks

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore river rocks. Searching with screens and containers, 1st graders identify the different kinds and sizes of rocks. They separate rocks into containers according to pebbles, gravel and sand. Students write about their...
Lesson Plan
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Thinking Like a Scientist

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore the scientific method.  Students identify the steps in the scientific method and explain what each step means.  Students use these steps to determine if boys or girls are taller in their classroom.
Lesson Plan
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Model Volcanoes

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students represent volcanoes with models and sketches. They research volcanoes and plan how to build a model. They, in groups, build a model volcano and cause it to erupt making observations before and after the eruption.
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How to Think Like a Scientist

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the scientific method and understand how to apply it.  In this "thinking like a scientist" lesson students complete several activities.
Lesson Plan
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Making Models To Understand Our Home

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the concept of a model and how it is used to represent something that is real. They recognize how the model can be applied to other types of concepts like the solar system. Students create a scale drawing of a house...
Lesson Plan
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The Shadow Knows - Creating Shadows

For Teachers K - 1st
Young learners recognize a shadow and witness how shadows occur when light is blocked. They access streamed video, standard video, and websites in order to engage in their study of how light is naturally blocked to create shadows. An...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climatic Zones

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders recognize and locate Frigid, Temperate, and Torrid climatic zones on the word map or globe. They explain that plants, animals, and human societies display adaptations to the climates they live in .
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Analyzing the Relationship between Snowpack and River Flow

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use the Internet to research current and past snowpack levels and river gauging station readings. They determine the relationship between snowpack and river flow. They predict future river flow.