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Finding Extra-Solar Planets
Students plot and analyze NASA data to determine the period of an invisible planet orbiting a wobbling star. They explore the motion of a two-body system around a center of mass to better explain how extra-solar planets are discovered.
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Humanitarian Issues in Afghanistan
Students examine the difficulties being faced by Afghan society, specifically by women and children. They discover what different aid agencies are doing to resolve these difficulties. They present to the class any initiatives they may...
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Nature of Meteor Showers
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,...
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Learning About the Shape of the Earth
Seventh graders investigate ways of telling the shape of the Earth and its position in the Universe both historically and today.
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A New Slant On The Seasons
Students identify how the tilt and position of the Earth causes the seasons. After a discussion of the seasons and when they begin. Using themselves as the objects in the universe, they role play how the rotational movement of the...
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Taking a Voyage away from Home
Students experience and participate in a journey through a "Voyage" exhibition of the Solar System and the frontier it covers. They build a dynamic model of the Earth and Sun. Descriptions are given on the relative sizes of the Sun and...
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Where Am I - Navigation and Satellites
Students explore geography by completing a navigation activity in class. In this satellite positioning lesson, students define terms such as orbit, satellite, GPS and triangulation. Students view diagrams of the Earth's orbit and...
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Earth's Magnetic Pole
In this Earth's magnetic pole worksheet, students use a diagram showing the changes in the magnetic pole of the Earth over time. Students use the given scale of the changes to answer 6 questions about the average speed of the magnetic...
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Lunar Lollipops
Students work with a partner, Styrofoam ball and light source to simulate the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun at various stages during the phases of the Moon. They describe why the Moon is visible from Earth and complete a worksheet.
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The Winter Solstice
In this winter solstice worksheet, students read a detailed text about the winter solstice and the historical and religious significance of this day. Students then complete a 15 question fill-in-the-blank and true/false worksheet.
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Modeling Atoms
Students create an atomic model using a computer program. In this technology lesson, students identify the difference between radius and diameter. They create circular patterns and spheres based on certain specifications.
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Latitude and Longitude
Students demonstrate how to locate places on a map using a grid. In this map skills lesson, students are introduced to latitude and longitude lines. Students define these terms and view a large map of a state. Students come up to the map...
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Point of View to Ponder
Students view (or read) The Ponder Heart by Eudora Welty. They
discuss other literary pieces that include the misleading first person narrator. They
role play fictional characters from literature and present a short anecdote in a...
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Astronomy as a Career
In this astronomy as a career worksheet, students use 2 graphs to answer 4 questions about the number of PhDs awarded, the number of PhD's awarded compared to Bachelor's degrees in astronomy and factors that might be involved in the...
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A Matter of Timing
In this orbital period worksheet, students solve 2 problems about satellites and their orbits. They determine how many days it takes for two satellites to be in "opposition", they find the least common factor between their orbit periods...
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Getting to the Point
Students determine location by using the technique of triangulation. They imagine that they are out in the wilderness and have come to the top of a ridge. How can one identify the ridge on the topo map? How can one figure out where you...
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Identifying Lines: Horizontal, Vertical, and Oblique
Second graders identify horizontal, vertical, and oblique lines on a worksheet after learning them in class. They demonstrate a horizontal line with their arms while saying the word and use their arms with no talking to demonstrate...
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Solar Systems Models Foldable Question Sheet
In this solar system worksheet, students use foldable models they made of the planets to answer questions about each planet. They answer questions about the theories and predictions made in our history about the solar system and answer...
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Ordered Pairs on a Coordinate Plane
Seventh graders identify the quadrants and axis of a coordinate plane. In this algebra instructional activity, 7th graders discover the correct way to graph using the coordinate plane. They discuss the relationship between x and y...
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Cake Batter Lava
Students examine how lava flows change the landscape. In this lava lesson students complete a lab activity where they create a lava flow using cake batter.
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Beyond the Blue Horizon...Advanced
In this calculating the horizon instructional activity, students solve 6 problems using algebra, derivatives and calculus to find the formula for the line-of-sight horizon, the distance along a planet, the horizon distance and the rates...
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Olympic Solar Energy
Students use cardboard and aluminum foil to construct a solar oven that concentrates enough sunlight to cook a hotdog. They review the history and use of solar energy in relation to the Olympics.
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Dimensional Space: Various Perspectives
Students use their understanding of 3D on 2D to make a representation of a 4D form on paper.