Unit Plan
Curated OER

Our Universe: Always Moving, Always Changing

For Teachers 3rd
Students explore the main concepts of astronomy through the eleven lessons of this unit. The past, present, and future methods of studying the science are examined in this unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drag Problem Set

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students read an explanation from a NASA Web-based textbook and then demonstrate an understanding of the text by applying it to calculating drag of both full-sized and model gliders.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery Machines

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore simple machines and demonstrate thier acquired understanding by building a simple machine.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urban Impact on Chollas Creek (California): A Field Study

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students, in groups, take samples from a creek and keep a field journal on their samples. They also perform tests on their samples.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harnessing Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students identify the properties of light from the sun. In groups, they participate in experiments with solar collectors, cookers and calculators to determine which one harnesses the most energy. They record their observations and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gas Properities Definitions

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students, after reading the Web page Gas Properties Definitions, complete the activity to demonstrate an understanding of the properties of gases.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Propulsion Pop!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners demonstrate an understanding of the text by completing a propulsion activity, charting the results, and answering questions that demonstrate an understanding of rocket propulsion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mass & Velocity Effect

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Learners, after reading the explanation given below, use FoilSim to complete the activity to fulfill the specifications of a given airfoil and then plot and interpret graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make Waves

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of waves and how they are formed. The force of wind is demonstrated as the prime factor to the creation of ocean waves. Students research the concept in detail for better comprehension.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wandering Wild-oats

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students observe wild-oat seeds. In this biology instructional activity, students watch how wild-oat seeds react to moisture and draw conclusions and make predictions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wing Specifications

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders use FoilSim to fulfill the specifications of a given airfoil (wing) and plot and interpret graphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Four-Wing Paper Boomerang

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students cut out the pattern of the Four-Wing Boomerang and trace it on to one half of the file folder. They practice throwing it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Good Vibrations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars demonstrate sound waves and make changes in the waves resulting in changes in pitch. Students associate changes in pitch in various "musical instruments"with size and shape and the sound waves they produce.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Sun

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders examine basic information about the sun and its relationship to the solar system. They conduct Internet research and complete a WebQuest about the sun. Students then create a seven question true or false quiz using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sars

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars discuss the Sars outbreak in 2003. In this biology lesson, students research the effect of the outbreak to the world. They create a public announcement about the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cosmic Ray Momentum

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students describe how cosmic rays achieve high kinetic energy via conservation of momentum.
Lesson Plan
Museum of Science

Gadget Anatomy: Understanding Machines

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students observe a machine closely from several angles while it operates. Identify the elements of machines combined in different gadgets. Create a clear diagram of how a machine works.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Drifting Continents

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students, through teacher-led demonstration, explore the idea of continental drift. They complete a worksheet involving the calculation of continental drift over time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watch It Slide!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students work together to examine inclined planes. They create a plan to raise rocks to build pyramids. They discover the changes that occur when the angle is increased or decreased.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Engineering Lessons Adapted for Special Education

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Modifying engineering lessons from NASA makes them accessible to a wider variety of learners.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil Engineering: Designing Bridges

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine the bridges of the United States. They discuss the concept of balance. They draw their own design of a suspension bridge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking Blue

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students participate in a research project that is exclusively using the internet. The author states that traditional labs are hard to conduct for a light lab. This one uses the internet with the intention that students can manipulate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dimensional Analysis Problem Set

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students, after studying various pages of a NASA Web-based textbook, use dimensional analysis to verify actual aeronautic equations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magnetorheological Fluids

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on magnetorheological fluids. In this physics lesson, students explain how these fluids behave in varying magnetic field strength. They give practical applications of magnetorheological fluids.