Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecosystem Game

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students examine the ecosystem by playing a game. In this ecosystem lesson plan, students are put into groups of decomposers, consumers, and producers. Students create a list of animals that fit into each group and items that represent...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Echolocation

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students explore echolocation. In this bats science lesson, students compare sunlight reflecting off a mirror to sound waves hitting a bat's ears. Students complete a worksheet about bats.
Worksheet
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Astronomy

For Students 4th - 5th
In this astronomy worksheet, students read a detailed text about our solar system. Students then answer 15 questions about the information presented.
Lesson Plan
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What are the Challenges?

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students discuss energy. In this energy challenges lesson, students read about greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. Comprehension questions from the reading are provided. 
Lesson Plan
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What Makes you Hot?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners manipulate different variables in a model and make inferences about the temperature on Earth.  In this heat lesson students calculate the blackbody radiation of an object at a certain temperature. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chains

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create their own food chains on Kidspiration starting from the energy of the sun and what it creates. In this food chains lesson plan, students learn about how insects eat plants and so on.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day And Night

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine how the earth experiences day and night by using a flashlight and a globe as a model.
PPT
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Weather and Climate

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
It's hot today, but is that the weather or the climate? This colorful presentation isolates both concepts to allow for better understanding by covering the positioning of the planet, making comparisons of land versus water, and looking...
Worksheet
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K12 Reader

World Climates

For Students 2nd - 3rd Standards
Why is weather different around the world? Learn about world climates with a reading comprehension passage. Kids read a short passage before answering five comprehension questions based on context clues.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Photons in the Radiative Zone: Which Way Is Out? An A-Maz-ing Model

For Students 9th - 12th
Can you move like a photon? Young scholars use a maze to reproduce the straight line motion of a photon. The second in a six-part series of lessons on the sun has learners measure angle of incidence and refraction to determine the path...
Unit Plan
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Core Knowledge Foundation

A Time for All Seasons - Winter

For Teachers 1st - 3rd Standards
As the days get shorter and a chill enters the air, it's time to start teaching your little ones about the wondrous winter season. Through a series of teacher demonstrations, whole-class read alouds and discussions, and hands-on...
Lesson Plan
Ventura County Air Pollution Control District

Effects of Global Warming

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Your learners have probably heard of climate change, but do they really understand what it is? Study the history, details, and future implications of global warming and the greenhouse effect with a set of activities designed for an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Weather

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders learn how solar radiation, latitude, and other factors affect weather. They break into six groups and are assigned a topic to research and to present their findings orally.
Lesson Plan
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Solar Cars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the causes and effects of air pollution. Using the internet, they examine the specific effects of carbon dioxide on the environment and discover the benefits of using solar power. In groups, they build a model of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Photosynthetically Available Radiation (PAR) Measurements Part 1: Calculating the Solar Constant using a TI-8

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders are introduced to the term Photosynthetically Available Radiation. In groups, they participate in an experiment to determine how ecosystems survive the conditions in the Arctic. They calculate the amount of solar energy...
Lesson Plan
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Sun

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how the sun is at the center of the solar system.  In this solar lesson students measure the altitude of the sun and its size.
Lesson Plan
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Solar Powered Cars

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students build and race solar powered cars after a teacher lecture. They answer questions based on their experiences with the car they build.
Unit Plan
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Astronomy

For Teachers 3rd
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
Lesson Plan
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Unit 2 Sun & Stars

For Teachers 6th - 7th
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...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Energy Resources

For Students 7th - 9th
In this energy resources worksheet, students read about the greenhouse effect and global warming. Then they explain why scientists are so concerned with greenhouse gases. Students also describe how global warming affects people worldwide.
Lesson Plan
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It's Gettin' Hot In Here, So Transfer Energy

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners study the means by which energy is transferred from the sun through the Earth's atmosphere. They examine radiation, conduction, and convection. They complete a lab to determine how the different transfers affect the atmosphere...
Lesson Plan
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Sea Ice and Satellites

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars study satellites and satellite images using Google Earth. In this satellite instructional activity, students discuss satellites and how they work. Young scholars watch a demonstration of how satellites work and learn what...
Lesson Plan
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Earth Pockets

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify the Earth's natural resources. In this Earth science lesson plan, students read the book The Great Kapok Tree and discuss types of natural resources. Students use categories such as wood, paper, and trees and list items...
Lesson Plan
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Seasonal cycles

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students understand that the rotation of the Earth is responsible for the seasons. In this seasonal cycles lesson, students learn how the rotation of the Earth affects the seasons. Students answer questions about the rotation, the...