Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Kinesthetic Astronomy: Birthday Stars

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Space explorers take a virtual trip around the sun right within your classroom! They stand in a circle facing away from the "sun" (a lamp) in the center of the room. As they move according to your instructions, they view different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circular Motion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research physical science by completing worksheets. In this gravity lesson, students read assigned text regarding the rotation of Earth and the gravitational force caused by the speed of which it rotates. Students complete a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students research Earth including what makes it suitable for life, its rotation, geological composition and gravity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Foucault's Pendulum

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate how the motion of the Foucault pendulum proves that the Earth is rotating. They research the Internet about pendulums and conduct an experiment online. They view a multimedia presentation about pendulums and read...
Lesson Plan
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University of Colorado

Modeling Sizes of Planets

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
The density of the huge planet of Saturn is 0.7 g/cm3, which means it could float in water! In the second part of 22, science pupils explore the size and order of the planets. They then calculate weight and/or gravity and density of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students describe the different bodies that make up our solar system, explain the place of our solar system within the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe, explain day and night and the Earth's movement, and describe the relationship...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interstellar Real Estate - Defining The Habitable Zone

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the orbital characteristics a planetary home needs to support Earth-like life forms. They develop an understanding of critical planetary mass to determine which newly discovered planets might be capable of supporting life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy and Energy Conversion

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate different energy conversions through hands-on activities. In this energy instructional activity, 3rd graders move through four stations and conduct experiments illustrating energy conversions. Wave energy,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: The Four Inner Planets and Earth's Moon and Astronauts

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read THe Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. In this language arts and science lesson, 2nd graders explore the four inner planets. Students view the inner planets using Google Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gravity - The Glue of the Universe

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students explore physics by conducting a class experiment. In this gravitational force lesson plan, students define several scientific terms associated with force. Students utilize a styrofoam cup and marbles to simulate a satellite...
Lesson Plan
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NASA

Christa's Lost Lesson: Newton’s Laws

For Teachers 6th - 8th
How do the laws of motion work in space? Learners explore Newton's laws of motion in different experiments as part of the Christa's Lost Lessons series. They rotate around the room in three stations to experience each law in action using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

#24 Rotating Frames of Reference in Space and on Earth

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore rotating frames of reference, focusing on the weightless environment in space and the Coriolis force.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weight No More

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Learners relate the concept of gravity to math. For this algebra lesson, students define scientific terminology relative to gravity, weight and centripetal force. They measure the different dimensions of a cylinder as they discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Out of This World

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders animate their own planets.  In this solar system activity, 5th graders use smartphones and the software, GoKnow Sketchy, to create images for presentations on their created planets that appear to be animated when...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Principles Of Flight: Wings That Spin

For Teachers K - 1st
Students discover how flight is possible.  In this physics lesson, students investigate the properties of a blimp and gyro-copter, comparing rotating wings and fixed wings of aircraft.  Students create their own model aircraft...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mass: Applying and Interpreting

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students rotate through six studying stations solving problems that involve applying and interpreting aspects of mass. They solve various word problems, and measure the contents of cans and calculate the mass of two cans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries: Building Blocks of Planets

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate the formation of chondrites and asteroids. In this astronomy lesson, students demonstrate accretion using balloons and static electricity. They compare and contrast their models to the actual process of chondrites and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WHAT HOLDS US TO EARTH?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars they imagine they are Galileo and try to duplicate Galileo's experiments and results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing Motion

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore movement and motion. In this motion lesson, 1st graders how objects can move as well as how the Earth is in constant motion and the force of gravity. Students complete a coloring sheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Summer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They describe and explain at least two common misconceptions that people have about the moon. Students explain what a star is. They explain 3 ways that the night sky has been used throughout history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Motion Experiment

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners experiment with the laws of motion. In this motion instructional activity, students explore Newton's Laws of Motion. Learners work in groups experimenting with different objects and observing different types of motion.
Lesson Plan
Aiken County Public Schools

Claymation in the Classroom

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students design an appropriate and usable storyboard and then create a claymation video. They take digital photographs frame by frame, then assemble the stop-motion movie using video software.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Night Sky: Fall/Winter

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explain how moon phases occur. They explain three ways that the night sky has been used through history. Students locate some of the constellations in the night sky. They discuss stories and myths surrounding stars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Trip To Outer Space: Planet Exchange

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students examine the different planets in outer space. Each class studies a different planet and creates a scavenger hunt for the other classes to explore that planet.