How much solar energy is available at my location? An engaging resource provides a presentation along with script to give the class background information on determining solar radiation. Pupils then work through a worksheet to...

The earth only revolves around one thing — and it's not any of your pupils. The lesson includes two activities dealing with the distance to the sun and the moon. First, scholars create a pin hole camera and use the rules of similar...

Ignore the full moon, it's just a phase. Young scholars observe and record the moon during a full cycle before learning to predict future phases. Then the instructor leads a discussion on the other solar system objects that...

Young scientists investigate the elements found in our solar system and then construct a model of a comet. They apply their new knowledge to the formation of the solar system. 

Take your class on a journey through our solar system. Learners explore each planet, from Mercury to Pluto, and discuss various features that differentiate one from another. They complete activities related to the topics and discuss the...

Scholars investigate levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Pacific Northwest by examining the role of nitrogen in air pollution and how remote sensing can be used to measure nitrogen levels. An Excel spreadsheet calculates the difference...

Two lessons explore the possibility of living on the moon. First, scholars read various scenarios to identify which careers would best transfer to life in space. Finally, pupils examine a website to locate items made for outer space,...

Pupils work together to complete a 757 Glider kit. They use a GPS to discover how it operates in all weather landings. They complete different obstacles with the glider as well.

Students use FoilSim to demonstrate that the graphic analysis of the airflow around one object can be used to hypothesize airflow graphs for objects as they are elongated from a sphere to an airfoil shape.

Students use FoilSim to design an airplane wing that generates a given lift. As they change parameters such as airspeed, altitude, angle of attack, thickness and curvature of the airfoil, and size of the wing area, the software...

Learners research flight timelines and record their findings. In this flight lesson plan, students brainstorm with a KWL chart on what they want to learn about the history of flight. They then make a timeline of their findings, and...

Students investigate the concept of a comet. They construct a model of a comet. The design is done using the same thoughts of an engineer. Students work together to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the comet models. If the model...

Students create a business card after researching their location in space and determining their Galactic Address.

Students view and discuss various images of solar events. They research and create a flip book demonstrating the progression of two solar events, and write a poem describing their chosen solar event.

Students research and create a slide show in order to classify clouds as transparent, translucent, or opaque.

Students research the nine planets in the solar system. They play a board gram like tic-tac-toe using the names of the planets. Factual info is given to help play the game.. This sounds like a fun review game.

Students explore environmental and geological conditions on other planets in our solar system, comparing their findings to information about Earth. They propose technologies that might assist in supporting human life on those planets.

Students identify the geographic and climatic characteristics of Florida that made it the best location for the space program. They describe how the space program affected the economy and growth of the eastern coast of Florida.

Young scholars identify the characteristics of aerosols. Using remote sensing, they participate in an experiment in which they determine how the sun's radiation and elements in the atmosphere interact with one another. They also...

Learners investigate the force of drag and how NASA engineers use models and glowing paints to examine how air flows over vehicles in a wind tunnel. They discover how the blended wing body will affect air travelers of the future.

Middle schoolers brainstorm types of accommodations needed for space travel. They create a table of categories for these accommodations and work in groups to research the categories. Each group puts together a five minute presentation to...

Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based instructional activity, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.

High schoolers write a research paper about human space travel. In this space travel lesson, students watch a video and research issues related to space travel. They use their research to write a paper about whether human space travel...

Students describe, draw, and classify shapes. They use the internet to research the X-36 aircraft. Students identify the geometric shapes in the aircraft. They calculate the number of sides in an x-36.