Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Discoveries That Are Out of This World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students hear of the recent discovery of a group of planets orbiting the star Upsilon Andromedae. Each student create a page about an element of the universe,
Lesson Plan
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Life on Earth and Beyond, Our Search for Answers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students in a special education classroom are introduced to how the universe and solar system was formed. Using the internet, they research the characteristics of Earth that support human life. In groups, they compare and contrast...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Air Pressure

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete experiments with air to understand that air takes up space, has mass, and that air pressure can be changed. In this air pressure lesson, 5th graders test the air pressure by using balloons, syringes, and water to...
Lesson Plan
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Lunar Lollipops

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students simulate the phases of the moon using a lamp and styrofoam balls. In this lunar phases lesson, students stand around a lamp and act as Earth. They hold styrofoam balls and rotate to show the phases of the moon.
Lesson Plan
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We're Going on an Animal Safari!

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students take viewers on an animal safari. In this technology instructional activity, students research animals one would see on an African safari. Students collaborate to create a storyboard and use Flip Video Cameras to create a...
Lesson Plan
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What is a greenhouse?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Students experiment to gain understanding of how a greenhouse retains heat.  In this greenhouse lesson, students work with soda bottles and simulate a greenhouse. Students compare data from a vented and intact bottle. Students...
Worksheet
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How Fire Affects Wildllife

For Students 6th - 10th
In this ecology lesson, students select an animal to study and read about how this animal adapts to ecological disaster. They complete 5 short answer questions after reading.
Lesson Plan
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Climate Mime-it

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students pantomime new climate vocabulary words.  In this climate lesson plan, students go over new vocabulary words and their meanings.  Students form groups and pantomime these word's definitions.
Lesson Plan
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Compass Building Instructions

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Students build their own compass following a given procedure. In this technology lesson, students explain how a compass is used in navigation. They trace the history of its development.
Lesson Plan
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Stellar Evolution and the Fate of Earth

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders identify the different stages in the life cycle of a star. In this astronomy lesson, 8th graders read H-R diagrams and analyze data. The describe how the Sun's evolution will affect Earth in the future.
Lesson Plan
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Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur.  In this iridium flare activity students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
Lesson Plan
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Creating a Pond Habitat

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students create a pond habitat inside and outside their classroom. In this pond lesson plan, students create a habitat with animals, water, and plants in order to create a proper pond habitat.
Lesson Plan
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A Generation that Cares: Saving our Environment!

For Teachers 3rd - 10th
Students discover the dangers posing our environment.  In this environmental awareness lesson plan, students investigate problems like global warming and pollution and discuss ways their generation can solve these issues....
Lesson Plan
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Oceans-Coral Reefs

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate coral reefs. In this oceanology lesson, 2nd graders discuss what constitutes a coral reef and the wildlife that lives there. Students watch a video about coral reefs and take an online quiz.
Lesson Plan
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Displaying Populations: Jellybeans, Paper and People

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the factors affecting population growth. In this biology lesson, students collect data from the lab and graph them. They estimate population size using a mathematical formula.
Lesson Plan
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Solar Effects on Global Warming

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the greenhouse effect and how it affects our climate.  In this global warming lesson students draw the sun and label features and describe the effects of the sun's energy on the world. 
Lesson Plan
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Nutrition: It's In Your Hands

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use this lesson to focus on their health, nutrition and the state of the environment. In groups, they examine the various types of land, water and air pollutants and compare and contrast a food chain with and without a...
Lesson Plan
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Your Galactic Address

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover their place in the universe.  In this astronomy lesson, students identify their location on various maps that have increasingly larger scales.  In the end, the students write their address in terms of their...
Lesson Plan
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Plant an Ozone Monitoring Garden

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students create a garden.  In this ozone lesson, students discuss ozone injury, identify plants sensitive to ozone, and then plant their own ozone garden.
Lesson Plan
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The Climate Change Skeptic's Argument: Natural Solar Cycles or Human Activity?

For Teachers Higher Ed
Teachers explore patterns in sunspots and total solar irradiance to understand the counterpoint to the human effect of global warming. In this professional development tool, teachers work through a lesson on the sun's natural...
Lesson Plan
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It's A Meteor

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete a webquest to find Earth's relationship to the sun.  In this webquest instructional activity, students complete tasks to understand the effect of the sun on weather and time. Students create a multimedia...
Lesson Plan
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Adopt a Constellation

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students adopt a constellation and find detailed information about their constellation. In this constellation lesson plan, students use the web to find information about a constellation of their choice. They identify the history of the...
Lesson Plan
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Lights Light Up My Life

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students conduct an investigation. In this energy conservation lesson, students observe and make predictions about fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs. Working in groups, students conduct an investigation to compare the two light...
Lesson Plan
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The Big Bang

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders relate the elements in the human body to those produced during a supernova. In this space science and chemistry lesson, 5th graders listen to a lecture and view visuals about the big bang. They relate the production of...