Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life Cycle of a Star

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation.  In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Sky Clock

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore space science by completing a worksheet in class. In this astronomy instructional activity, students discuss and identify star patterns in the night sky and relate these patterns to the approximate time they appear....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using a Sundial

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the use of a sundial to tell apparent time. In this sundial lesson, students watch a teacher demonstration using a flashlight to create shadows. They discuss what happens to shadows of different objects as the position...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lunar and Terrestrial Tug of War

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, locate, comprehend, interpret, and evaluate information about celestial bodies that influence ocean tides on Earth. They apply this information through graphic representations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Solar Eclipse Book: The Sun and Moon During a Solar Eclipse

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars make book covers displaying the Sun during a solar eclipse and a labeled illustration of the Sun.
Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Space Travel Guide

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the nine planets and countless moons of the solar system. Using the internet, they research one of the planets to determine if a manned mission to the planet would be possible. They share their information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Watching

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explain how our knowledge of the sky has been enhanced by telescopes. They make their own night-sky observations, diagram and describe what they see, and examine pictures taken by telescopes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tides of Change Worksheet (Part 2)

For Teachers 9th - 11th
In this tides worksheet, students visit specified websites to view information. They explore the mass of the sun and moon, the force of gravity between two objects, and the ratio of the distances from the earth to the sun. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alternate Tide of Change Worksheet

For Teachers 11th - 12th
In this space science worksheet, students look up the mass of the sun and moon. They graph the results with the graphic organizer and answer the questions that are related.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tides of Change Worksheet (Part 1)

For Teachers 1st
In this science worksheet, 1st graders track the tides of the ocean for a number of days and examine the data to determine the meaning of the pattern.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale/Ratio

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Investigate the use of ratios in scale drawings. Learners scale objects up or down using ratios then find the actual size of something using ratios. They apply their knowledge of ratios as they make their own telescopes in science...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Angle on Cooling: Effects of Distance and Inclination

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers discuss what heat is and how it travels. They discover that one way to cool an object in the presence of a heat source is to increase the distance from it or change the angle at which it is faced.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Watching

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine telescopes and understand how they have helped us better understand the sky.  For this astronomy lesson students complete a worksheet and a lab activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charting Seasonal Changes

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Learners research the Earth's patterns of rotation and revolution, create a chart and graph of these patterns and use them to explain the causes of night and day and summer and winter.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Lunar Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a instructional activity that covers the concept of different phases of the moon. They name the cycles of the phases of the moon while using flashlights to simulate the light of the sun. They research information about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice: Part 1

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students observe the state changes in water. In this matter lesson, students observe, measure, and describe water as it changes state. Students explore how water can change from a solid to a liquid then back again. They journal their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Look At Those Leaves!

For Teachers K - 1st
Students observe, measure and sort leaves.  For this leaf lesson students divide into groups and observe the different kinds of leaves. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Up?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners compare and contrast the various heavenly bodies found in the sky at night. They identify the moon and stars in the sky as well as how the stars form pictures called constellations. Students also experiment with reflection and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate Comparison

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore climate regions. For this climate lesson, students examine the climate regions of Alaska as well as the state of Hawaii. Students research selected Internet sources to gather information regarding the climates present in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Best of the Solar System (Grades 4-7)

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore planetary research and become familiar with the planets and their characteristics. They compare and contrasts planets and moons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ups and Downs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine tidal currents.  In this tides lesson students describe how the tides affect lives and explain why it is important to monitor them. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3rd Rock from the Sun's Baby Rock

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders have a chance to actively see each phase of the moon and make connections to what they see in the sky when you show how the moon goes through each of the phases.