Lesson Plan
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Physics Post-Lab

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore physics. In this science lesson, students discuss physics in their everyday lives. Students complete a physics worksheet.
Lesson Plan
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Dust in the Wind; Chemicals in the Water

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore mechanical and chemical weathering at stations. They articulate some mechanisms of chemical and mechanical weathering through exploration in a lab. Students stations describe how chemical weathering differs from...
Lesson Plan
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Reflecting on Reflectivity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...
Lesson Plan
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Rocks and weathered rocks

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students connect rock and mineral formation with the changes rocks and minerals undergo at the earth's surface. They observe changes produced by weathering and relating these observations to chemical processes such as oxidation,...
Lesson Plan
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Living in Space

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners explore space science by viewing a video in class. In this astronaut lesson, students identify the living habits of astronauts by researching the NASA website and observing a space science video in class. Learners participate in...
Lesson Plan
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Impact Craters: Holes in the Ground!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students simulate crater formation through a lab activity. In this space science lesson plan, students calculate how much energy is transferred during meteorite impact. They identify different factors affecting the size and depth of...
Lesson Plan
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Photovoltaics and Solar Energy

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners experiment with photovoltaic cells and determine the energy use of their appliances. In this renewable energy lesson plan, students calculate the energy emitted by a photovoltaic cell through an inquiry-based lab. They keep...
Lesson Plan
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Name That Tune

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students complete a fingerprint oil lab in order to simulate how geologists use the oil and natural gas in rocks to hear sound waves that signify there are oil in those rocks. In this rocks lesson plan, students learn that the rock...
Lesson Plan
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What Causes the Seasons?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct experiment to examine how tilt of globe influences warming caused by lighted bulb. They monitor simulated warming of their city by sun in winter and in summer by using light bulb, interpret results, and submit lab report.
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Pump It Up

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use water in a flask to simulate how oil is pumped or forced out of the Earth by pressure from natural gas or human machinery. In this oil lesson plan, students complete a lab packet and work in groups.
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Saturn’s Moons

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students compare Saturn's moons to the Earth's moon.  In this moon lesson students work in groups and complete a lab activity then answer questions. 
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Measuring Humidity

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students measure humidity in the classroom. In this weather instructional activity, students use a psychrometer to measure the humidity in the classroom. Students complete a lab packet.
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You Light Up My Life

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between solar activity and the Earth's geomagnetic field in producing the phenomena known as aurora borealis (Northern Lights) by reading and discussing "Earth, Wind and Fireworks." students graph data...
Lesson Plan
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Properties of the Ocean: Change

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research and create a visual presentation on the seasonal salinity of the Earth's oceans. They apply the research in a simulation of a lab disaster in which they must relabel ocean samples.
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What Are Erosion and Sediments?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create experiments in class based on the erosion of Earth. In this erosion lesson, students perform a lab in class replicating the effects of erosion. Middle schoolers finally draw their own conclusions based on the...
Lesson Plan
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Our Sky Clock

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars explore space science by completing a worksheet in class. In this astronomy lesson, students discuss and identify star patterns in the night sky and relate these patterns to the approximate time they appear. Young scholars...
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Using Living Organisms to Explain Evolution

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students investigate evolution in its most fundamental form: the observation of living organisms. By comparing variations that exist among living animals, students formulate their own hypotheses and conclusions about the evolution of...
Worksheet
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Measuring The Diameter of a Star

For Students 9th - 12th
In this space science learning exercise, students find the correct measurements using the tools provided in this lab experiment. The second page is used to record data.
Lesson Plan
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Aquifer Model

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars, after researching and brainstorming about aquifers and locating aquifer maps of Texas, participate in the building of a model of an aquifer complete with a pumping station. They also answer a variety of questions at the...
Lesson Plan
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Why is Summer Hot?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how variations in temperature are due to the Sun and length of day.  In this solar lesson students complete a lab activity using thermometers and artificial sunlight to see how the earth is heated.
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Displaying Populations: Jellybeans, Paper and People

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the factors affecting population growth. In this biology lesson, students collect data from the lab and graph them. They estimate population size using a mathematical formula.
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How would an oil spill affect a Marine Sanctuary?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students discover how scientists assess damages to the environment following oil spills. Students conduct a simulation of a public meeting in order to...
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How Do You Move Along the Earth?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students determine their own walking and running velocity. In this physics lesson plan, students calculate velocity using distance and time information. They compare human and animal speeds.
Lesson Plan
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Greenhouse Gas Lab

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare the ability of a sample of carbon dioxide gas to absorb thermal energy compared to a sample of air. They build a visual representation of the greenhouse effect to illustrate the heat-absorption of atmospheric carbon...