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Virtual Venus
Young scholars practice using the tool of remote telescopes in order to make observations in space. The lesson plan includes the best times of year to make observations. They use the internet to obtain information and to initiate the use...
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Expedition Stories
Learners use the Internet to research and discover information about expeditions that were formed to observe the transit of Venus. In groups, they work together to present information about the expeditions and create a visual aid.
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Timing the Transit of Venus
Middle schoolers calculate elapsed time and look for patterns.
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Paper Plate Observation
Students analyze transits from previous scientists. They identify simple objects that could have been used for documentation in the science world. They also practice scientific inquiry using methodology.
Science 4 Inquiry
Temperature of Inner Planets
Mars, Earth, and Venus contain atmospheres that generate weather. Young scientists explore the temperature of inner planets. They create a model simulating the greenhouse effect before researching and answering guided questions to...
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Mini-Ecosystems
Students use plastic bottles to create terrariums and plant Venus Flytraps. They observe the plants and the terrariums for illustrations of the water cycle and species' adaptations to a specific environment.
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Venus Unveiled
Young scholars debate the validity of predictions about the greenhouse effect.
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Sun's Impact On Earth's Temperature
Students view NASA images and movies of Venus, Earth, and Mars to deduce weather patterns and manipulate computer models to test competing hypotheses. They manipulate computer models to investigate the influence of solar distance and...
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Science Trail
Learners explore the solar system by conducting Earth science experiments. In this Sun lesson, students identify the different seasons on Earth and discuss their purpose and cause. Learners create a sundial and observe the changes to...
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The 'Solar' System Past and Present
Students identify cardinal and intermediate directions, recognize that models changes due to new or improved observations and technology, identify the major characteristics of the planets including their positions in the solar system,...
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Look at those Leaves!
Students observe and measure tree leaves. In this leaf lesson students do on a "leaf walk" then use the leaves they find to complete a few activities.
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How Do Atmospheres Affet Planetary Temperatures?
Students perform a literature search and use reputable research resources in order to find the surface temperature of different planets in our solar system. They speculate about the observed and unobserved factors. Then brainstorming is...
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Earth
Fourth graders engage in a study of the solar system. The teacher constructs an outside model of it. They walk through it making constructive observations. Students conduct a class discussion about the solar system and planets. They...
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Craters!
Eighth graders examine the formation of craters. In this craters lesson, 8th graders discover the various energies involved in the formation of a crater, where you can find a crater in the Solar System, and observations of craters on the...
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Solar System Hall Model
Not novel, but fun, this lesson gets your space science learners to model the size of the planets and the solar system along your school's hallway. Scaled measurements as well as actual distances are provided for both planet diameters...
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Exploring the Planets
Young scholars study robotic spacecrafts that have provided detailed information about the inner and outer planets. In this exploring the planets lesson plan, students use posters and diagrams to study the various robotic spacecraft sent...
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Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?
Students explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth. In this space lesson plan students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible.
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Seeing Sound & Sonar
Students make inferences based on different sounds that they hear. In this inferences lesson plan, students will hear sounds of different objects and describe the sounds based on what they hear. They will answer various questions about...
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What is the Solar System?
Students study the solar system. In this solar system lesson, students create graphic organizers, and participate in class demonstrations illustrating size and distance within the solar system.
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Planets Curriculum
Students investigate the planets in our solar system. They conduct research using a variety of resources in order for students to make cognitive connections with the demonstrations made by the teacher. Students discover how to recognize...
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Planets Curriculum
Students complete an in-depth study of the known planets in the solar system. As a class, students identify the planets that are known in the universe, in the night sky. They explain the differences between planets and stars and the...
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Mardi Gras
Students explain why carnivals and Mardi Gras became a famous celebration. They reproduce some of the traditions and customs related to Mardi Gras. They write a persuasive paper on why or why not we should continue to celebrate Mardi Gras.
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Introduction to Psychology and Sigmund Freud
Students learn about psychology. In this unconscious mind lesson, students examine the life and theories of Sigmund Freud. Students define psychoanalysis, the conscious mind, the unconscious mind, Freudian slips, the ego, the id, the...
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How Far Away is SOHO?
Students create a scale model of the Earth and the sun that demonstrates where the SOHO satellite is in relation to the Earth.