Lesson Plan
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Timing An X-ray Pulsar

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars use X-ray data to identify an object as a rotating neutron star, and determine its period of rotation. They use XTE observations of the Crab Pulsar to determine the period of the light intensity, interpret this period as...
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State Your Position

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers practice using a global positioning system. They discuss the use of celestial objects as navigation points and its problems. They list the advantages and disadvantages of GPS as well.
Lesson Plan
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How Do We Forecast Weather?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders investigate how scientists collect weather data in order to forecast the weather. They work in small groups in order to research one type of weather technology such as, satellite images, radar, surface observations, or...
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Severe Weather Planning

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the need to prepared for a severe weather event. They select one type of weather condition and explain how to be prepared in a report.
Lesson Plan
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Where Are We Going?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students practice rounding numbers to ones and tens places, multiplying numbers, and working with simple fractions. They study the placement and distances of planets in the Solar System.
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On the Surface

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students draw and label the 15 major rivers in Texas. They then draw and label another map with the major lakes and reservioirs of Texas. Students use the maps and locate and label the location of the following major Texas cities:...
Lesson Plan
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Charting The Progress of New Horizons

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners explore the long distances and timescales involved in space travel. They track the progress of the New Horizons spacecraft and access the New Horizons website to discover the distance of the spacecraft from the Sun, and then...
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Last Year on Pluto

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine the astronomical concept of a year. They relate the passage of time on planets to historical events in the USA.
Lesson Plan
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Surface Water Supplies And The Texas Settlements

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the allocation and finding of water resources. The location of different settlement areas is considered as one looks how the water is distributed. They map some of the early Spanish and...
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What's Happening to Our Caterpillars?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders participate in a lesson making observations of caterpillars. They identify different changes in the life cycle of a caterpillar and also understand the final result of the life cycle ending.
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Five Fingers for Eating Lunch

For Teachers 1st
First graders listen to the book, The M&M's Brand Counting Book, discuss the one-to-one correspondence and count the candies in the story. They focus on the number five, and listen to the story Sun Up, Sun Down, discussing the...
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Gamma Ray Bursts

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study an article on Gamma Rays.  In this investigative lesson students study the energy and wavelengths of gamma rays and the theories behind them. 
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Bouncing Sunlight

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use flashlights and balls to demonstrate how the light bounces off of the sun and reflects onto the moon. They record their observations in a journal.
Worksheet
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Star Magnitudes

For Students 9th - 12th
In this stars learning exercise, high schoolers use a chart comparing the absolute and apparent magnitudes for different stars to complete 4 fill in the blank and 2 short answer questions.
Worksheet
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What Makes Up the Solar System?

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this solar system worksheet, students will fill in the blanks for 5 statements in this graphic organizer based on the objects found in space that make up the solar system.
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Using the Engineering Design Process to Dress for the Weather

For Teachers K
Students study weather and define the appropriate dress for various weather patterns. In this weather and clothing lesson, students discuss wearing appropriate clothes for specific weather. Students use the weather board to determine the...
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Measuring Elevation

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners practice measuring elevation, one of the key coordinates used by astronomers. They describe how the elevation of an object is measured. and combine compass directions and elevation to find celestial objects.
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Cloudy With a Chance of...

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students listen to the story, "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs". Then the class creates their own version of the story with a theme of their choice. In small groups, they write and illustrate a paragraph for the class book.
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Dizzy Heights

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore ways to measure the height of an inaccessible object. They measure lengths using a tape measure or ruler. Students measure angles using a protractor and estimate heights.
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How Can the Little Moon Hide the Giant Sun? Exploring Size and Distance

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students compare two objects at different distances. They explore the concept that distance affects how we perceive the size of objects.
Lesson Plan
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MATH IS BEAUTIFUL: More And Less

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students use tempura paints and mixing techniques to explore the mathematical concept of ratios in this cross-curricular late-elementary/ealy middle level Math lesson. A homework assignment is included.
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Photometry

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars examine blackbody radiation and light wavelengths. Students research the various types of electromagnetic spectrum. Young scholars examine any misconceptions they may have in light.
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The Science of Weather: How Doppler Radar reads weather

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars read about how radar detects changes in the weather. In this lesson plan on weather reporting, students read a diagram that shows how radar reads weather. This lesson plan includes discussion questions and an individual...
Lesson Plan
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The Path of the Sun, the Ecliptic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners are introduced to the ecliptic, the zodiac and the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon and planets across the sky.