Lesson Plan
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As the Sun Burns

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students test commercial sunscreens or sunglasses for accuracy of their Sun Protection Factor. They devise a method for testing UV beads with a visual clues which they publish as research. They investigate occupations such as...
Lesson Plan
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The Path of the Sun, the Ecliptic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are introduced to the ecliptic, the zodiac and the apparent motions of the Sun, Moon and planets across the sky.
Lesson Plan
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Measuring the Diameter of Our Star

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students conduct an experiment to measure the diameter of the sun. In this astronomy lesson,  students construct a simple equipment to collect scientific data. They calculate the sun's diameter using a given formula.
Lesson Plan
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Remote Sensing - What Can We See When We Can't Touch?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers discover how remote sensing is used to identify the signatures of life even when the particular life form is not directly observable. They investigate how a satellite "sees" objects on the surface of Earth.
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Nature of Meteor Showers

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders describe, in general terms, the distribution of matter in space and identify evidence for, and describe characteristics of, bodies that make up the solar system. They then investigate predictions about the motion,...
Lesson Plan
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The Chinese Zodiac And The Western Zodiac

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars create individual horoscopes that contrast and compare Western and Chinese views of their futures using poster boards and magic markers. In-class discussion is used to evaluate the use of the Zodiac in different cultures.
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Comet Myths, Facts, and Legends

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is an interactive book lesson through which learners explore the facts and stories about comets. The plan is comprehensive, providing background information, standards met, vocabulary, assessment ideas, and more. Though the content...
Lesson Plan
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SIZING UP SOL

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders produce a projected, pinhole image of the sun and from measurement of the image and projection distance, calculate the actual size of the sun. They estimate the sun's apparent brightness from different planet.
Lesson Plan
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5th Grade, Egg Droppers

For Teachers 5th
The classic "Egg Drop Activity" is described in this fine science lesson plan. Young scientists work together to design a container that will protect the eggs inside of it when dropped from a high place. Lots of good scientific...
Lesson Plan
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Melt Away

For Teachers K - 4th
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...
Lesson Plan
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Moon

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discover scientific facts about the Moon and how some American Indian Tribes used the moon to measure time. They accomplish this by listening to stories and poetry, writing stories, communicating with an astronaut,...
Worksheet
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Types of Scientists

For Students 6th - 8th
In this science activity, students match each type of scientist listed in the left-had column to its correct description found in the right-hand column. There are 34 different scientists to match on the sheet.
Lesson Plan
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Location

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Pupils explore the tools used by Columbus to chart his latitude. They study the change of a location over time.
Lesson Plan
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Searching For Protoplanetary Disks

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners download NASA Hubble Space Telescope views of star-forming regions in nebulae and look for evidence of planetary systems forming beyond our own solar system. They hypothesize about mysterious objects in NASA HST images.
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Creating Craters

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore parts of an impact crater and compare and contrast craters found in Earth, the Moon, and Mars. Crater formation is modelled and the relationship of mass, velocity, and size of the projectile to the crater formation is...
Activity
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Introduction to Conics

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Just exactly where does the name conic come from? This brief hands-on exploration explains it all. Have your class cut cones to create their own conics, then assess their understanding with a few identification problems. Consider making...
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Ecosystems

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate ecosystems. In this ecosystem instructional activity, 4th graders explore producers, consumers, and decomposers and study the interdependence of each.
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Power Play

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Once your physical science stars have a grasp of the different forms of energy, use this resource to get them putting the energy to work. Small groups choose from seven different project options and work together to build an energy...
Lesson Plan
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Moon Glow

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify the Earth-Moon relationship and the phases of the Moon. They participate in an activity that illustrates why the Moon has so many different looks within a lunar cycle. They discuss solar and lunar eclipses.
Lesson Plan
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What Makes you Hot?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers manipulate different variables in a model and make inferences about the temperature on Earth.  In this heat instructional activity students calculate the blackbody radiation of an object at a certain temperature. 
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Meteorites

For Teachers 1st - 11th
Students model how meteors fall to the surface of planets. In this space science lesson, students identify different types of meteorites using an interactive online website. They investigate the relationship between a meteorite's size...
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Seasonal cycles

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students understand that the rotation of the Earth is responsible for the seasons. In this seasonal cycles instructional activity, students learn how the rotation of the Earth affects the seasons. Students answer questions about the...
Worksheet
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Asteroids, Meteors, and Comets

For Students 4th
Although a bit confusing, this is an interesting exercise which will lead to greater understanding of the differences between asteroids, meteors, and comets. Learners must find the correct path that takes them through a series of...
Lesson Plan
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Energy Transformation with a Top

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders examine both potential and kinetic energy. After discussing the difference and examples of potential and kinetic energy, they participate in a game of "Show Me Potential Energy/Show Me Kinetic Energy" using toy tops.