UAF Geophysical Institute
System Interactions: The Lorax and the Truffula Tree
If the Lorax were to write a letter, what would he write? Introduce your class to systems and feedback loops through the whimsical stylings of Dr. Seuss. Learners take on the Lorax's point of view to write a letter, among other activities.
UAF Geophysical Institute
Observing the Weather
How can you predict the weather without any technology? Young scientists learn to forecast the weather using traditional Native American techniques. Based on their observations of the weather, as well as talking to their classmates, they...
Curated OER
Melting the Ice: Energy Transfer
Students study thermal energy and energy transfer to sea ice processes. In this energy transfer lesson, students make their own ice cream and discuss energy transfer and thermal energy. Students view a radiation overhead and its role in...
Curated OER
Weather Proverbs
Define and write proverbs! Learners define proverbs, use the Internet to find weather-related proverbs, and talk with their parents to learn other proverbs. There's a well-structured worksheet included here.
Curated OER
Weather Proverbs
Your class explores weather proverbs and superstitions from around the country and writes their own proverb about weather. They interview community elders to learn proverbs about Alaska and its weather. Then they discuss several example...
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Frost Depth Study
Students complete activities to study the frost and frost depth. In this frost study lesson, students use frost tubes to study and measure the frost at their school. Students measure the frost in the tube and enter their data online to...
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Esperanza Rising - Literature Circles and Review (Day 3)
Kids love working with their peers. Get your class into small literature circles and have them complete weekly assignments. Before beginning this week's activity, have each learner write a letter from Esperanza in California to Abuelita...
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Keep it Active
Young scholars explore the active layer above permafrost and investigate various factors on the insulation value of the active layer. In this energy transfer lesson, students conduct and experiment to determine the effects of snow...
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Sea Ice: Unscrambling the Egg Code
Students determine sea ice thickness, concentration, and floe size by reading egg codes. In this sea ice conditions lesson, students color code a map based on prescribed criteria and use the maps to identify changes in sea ice...
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Excel temperature Graphs
Students gather data about the weather in Nome, Alaska. In this Nome Temperature lesson, students create an excel graph to explore the weather trends in Nome. Students will find the average weather and add a trend line to their graph.
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Growth of a River
Students evaluate geography by drawing an image in class. In this river lesson, students identify a list of vocabulary terms associated with bodies of water. Students identify how a river is formed and draw a picture of one including the...
Curated OER
Using Your Senses
Students make observations. In this sensory skills lesson, students use their senses as well as tools that sharpen their senses to make observations regarding foods and other items.
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Zoom Out
Students explore visual perception and how objects change as distance changes. In this distance and vision instructional activity, students practice their scientific inquiry skills. Students practice drawing objects from different points...
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Weather Observation Journal
Students record weather for a period of one month. In this weather lesson, students observe weather for one month on a large pictograph. Students record clouds, wind, temperature and any other weather conditions they observe. Students...
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Timeline of Extreme Weather Events
Students research and chart extreme weather events on a timeline. In this extreme weather instructional activity, students interview older people who have experienced extreme weather events. Students complete a worksheet based on the...
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Trends Forecasting
Learners practice trends forecasting to predict the weather. In this forecasting lesson plan, students learn how meteorologists predict the weather by looking at weather trends. They then predict their own forecast, analyze the results,...
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Analog Forecasting
Students recognize the elements of an analog weather forecast. In this weather forecasting lesson, students use a website and look for trends, persistence and climatology in weather forecasting. Students complete a...
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Elders' Weather Forecasting
Learners interview an Elder to determine ways of forecasting the weather. In this weather lesson, students use the information from an interview to make a weather prediction.
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Clouds
Learners recognize the three main types of clouds. In this clouds lesson plan, students create a cloud mobile to understand clouds.
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Clouds
Students explore clouds. In this weather lesson, students identify the steps in the water cycle, define condensation and evaporation, and relate this information to cloud formation. Students perform a cloud experiment,...
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Soapy Solids
Students observe and explain how a change in temperature causes a physical change in a substance. In this physical science lesson, students use a soap making kit to observe the effects of adding heat to the bar soap as they...
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Ooblek
Students demonstrate the three states of matter. In this matter lesson, students read Bartholomew and the Ooblek. Students create "ooblek" and discuss what state of matter it is.
Curated OER
Touch and Discover
Students identify the physical properties of items using the sense of touch. In this touch and discover instructional activity, students describe items. Students sort items using a Venn diagram.
Curated OER
Melt Away
Students explore objects before and after heating using their senses. In this matter and energy lesson, students experiment with a variety of objects and use their senses (except taste) to make predictions and record observations...