Lesson Plan
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Getting to Know Saturn: Moons, Rings, and Relationships

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify the different objects that orbit Saturn. In this space science lesson, students plot the graph of orbital speed and distance. They explain why planets and asteroids remain in orbit around the sun.
Worksheet
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Mars Rover Landing Site

For Students 8th - 10th
In this Mars Rover Landing worksheet, students are given an image of Mars near the Bonneville Crater. Students determine the image scale in the diagram and use it to find the diameter of the Bonneville Crater, the width of the Rover's...
Lesson Plan
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Color and Spectrum

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars examine the spectra of light sources that have similar colors.  In this light activity students complete an activity using various lights in the classroom and discuss the colors and the heat generated. 
Lesson Plan
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Length of the Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate how the Earth's rotation affect the length of day. In this earth science lesson, students construct a sighting apparatus and record their observations over a few days. They analyze data collected and formulate a...
Lesson Plan
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Making Moths

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the Gregorian Calendar and its historical significance.In this calendar lesson students create a calendar design for an imaginary planet.
Lesson Plan
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The Moon Orbits the Sun?!?!

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Students calculate the strength of gravitational force exerted on the moon by the sun and earth. In this orbital instructional activity students view a demonstration to see the gravitational forces between bodies.
Lesson Plan
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Why is Summer Hot?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how variations in temperature are due to the Sun and length of day.  For this solar lesson students complete a lab activity using thermometers and artificial sunlight to see how the earth is heated.
Lesson Plan
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When a Ruler is Too Short

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners measure distances using parallax. In this math lesson, students explain how this method helped astronomers with their studies of the solar system. They determine the length of their arm using parallax and compare it with other...
Lesson Plan
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Climate Change

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders compare the Arctic and Antarctic.  In this climate lesson plan students work in groups, research and complete an oral report or a poster. 
Lesson Plan
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Can Photosynthesis Occur at Saturn?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students identify the different requirements for photosynthesis to take place. In this space science lesson, students simulate conditions in Saturn to investigate if photosynthesis is possible there. They use data and observations...
Lesson Plan
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There's Air in There!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students attempt to blow a wad of paper into a soda bottle.  In this physics lesson, students discover that air pressure inside of a soda bottle prevents new air from going in.
Worksheet
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Spitzer Explores a Dying Star

For Students 9th - 12th
In this dying star worksheet, learners read about the Spitzer Space Telescope that detected the dying star-Messier-57. Students solve 6 problems including determining the total power produced by the dying star, they find the total mass...
Worksheet
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The Solar Neighborhood within 17 Light Years!

For Students 9th - 11th
In this distance between stars worksheet, students plot the distance between the sun and 11 other stars on a 2 dimensional grid using a protractor and a ruler. They determine the distances between various stars and they find the shortest...
Lesson Plan
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Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth.  For this space lesson students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible. 
Lesson Plan
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Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine what iridium flares are and when they occur.  In this iridium flare instructional activity students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
Lesson Plan
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Grandpa's Social Security

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine social security and how the process works at different ages.In this retirement lesson students determine how long a retired person has to live to get the same benefits at different ages.
Lesson Plan
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Mixing and Stirring

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students experience mixing through dancing. In this physical science lesson plan, students not only dance to show mixing but also demonstrate mixing and stirring by combining milk and chocolate milk.
Lesson Plan
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Pilots, Airplanes, and the Tangent of Three Degrees

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore how to use trigonometry in the aviation field.  In this aviation lesson students complete trigonometry equations that show what planes should do to land their airplanes.
Lesson Plan
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Sand or Rock? Finding Out From 1,000 km

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe how measurements are made with different instruments.  In this remote sensing lesson students investigate the physical state of surfaces including the surfaces of the solar system. 
Lesson Plan
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The Mathematical Implications of Lying

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore how statistics can be interpreted in different ways.  In this probability lesson students complete a class lab activity then discuss their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Volcanic Clouds and the Atmosphere

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine how scientists monitor volcanoes.  In this volcano lesson students complete several activities including why we see things when using satellites.
Lesson Plan
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Teaching Atomic Structure Using Cooperative Learning

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Individuals in a group of four each take on a different role: atomic number expert, mass number expert, isotope expert, and nuclear atom expert. They teach each other about their area of expertise. As an assessment, a short quiz is...
Lesson Plan
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Mars Pathfinder Egg Drop and Landing

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students construct a pathfinder that could land an egg safely. In this physics lesson, students explain the factors affecting the dynamics of falling objects. They evaluate their pathfinder design.
Lesson Plan
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Noblesville Fall

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners brainstorm questions based on a given narrative about an actual fallen meteorite. In this earth science instructional activity, students organize their responses into different categories.