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Remote Sensing - What Can We See When We Can't Touch?
Students 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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Designer Genes For A Designer World
Students explore how organisms adapt to their environments through changes in their genetic codes. They create make-believe creatures and environments that have specific characteristics.
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Comets And Meteor Showers
Young scholars fill in a diagram of a comet. They listen to a short lecture, view flash animation descriptions of comets and meteors and then use the presented information to complete a worksheet.
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Lunar Language
Students use a Lunar Language Graphic Organizer to draw and describe the phases of the moon. They explain patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth.
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The Lesson: Space Exploration
Students explore space. In this current events lesson, students visit selected websites to learn about NASA, Mars, the Seti Institute, and space exploration terminology. Students make space glossaries and their own telescopes.
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Earth's Revolution and Rotation
Eighth graders investigate the regular motions of the sun, Earth and the moon and explain how these are related to days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. They participate in an exercise where they explore the...
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Cosmic Collision
In this cosmic collision learning exercise, students explore interactive online website to study about the dynamics of different galaxies. They write short answers to 8 questions that follow.
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Memory Techniques
Students enhance memorization skills by using the following techniques: acrostics, acronyms, number pictures, spelling memory tips, name pictures, grouping, and journey pegs.
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What's Up?
Students compare and contrast the various heavenly bodies found in the sky at night. They identify the moon and stars in the sky as well as how the stars form pictures called constellations. Students also experiment with reflection and...
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SETI WebQuest and the Drake Equation
Learners complete a WebQuest where they research the Internet for extraterrestrial intelligence. For this extraterrestrial lesson plan, students also explore how the Drake Equation can predict the occurrence of life elsewhere.
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Continents and Oceans on the Move
Students create an awareness of the vast percentage of water covering the earth. They relate similarities/differences between topographical maps and other maps of various time periods. Students examine how to use a topographical map.
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The Difference Between Comets, Meteors And Asteroids
Students use Venn diagrams to highlight the similarities and differences between comets, meteors, and asteroids.
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Sea Ice and Satellites
Students study satellites and satellite images using Google Earth. In this satellite lesson, students discuss satellites and how they work. Students watch a demonstration of how satellites work and learn what they are used for. Students...
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Working in Space
Students design and build one of three engineering problems dealing with living and working in space.
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Comparing The Earth And Moon
Third graders engage in a lesson that compares the Sun and Moon. They conduct research using the websites included in the lesson plan. Students read literature in order to make a connection with the new information. The plan includes...
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Wetlands - Frog Facts Song
In this frog facts song worksheet, students follow directions on how to compose a song using frog facts. Students pick a well known children's song, gather facts about frogs, and then write new lyrics to the children's song.
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Reading Comprehension-Space
In this comprehension worksheet, students read 5 short paragraphs about space, then complete a set of 4 related questions. Worksheet contains a link to additional activities.
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The Vocabulary of Space
Students build their knowledge and understanding of vocabulary related to space. In this space lesson, students discuss four categories of words and phrases related to space.
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Exploring Magnetism
Students participate in several activities that allow them to better understand magnetism. In this exploratory instructional activity students take part in different activities to help them to better understand magnetic fields, circuits...
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Last Year on Pluto
Students examine the astronomical concept of a year. They relate the passage of time on planets to historical events in the USA.
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Our Home in the Milky Way
Students gain appreciation of the vastness of our galaxy by viewing an applet about the Milky Way. Students hypothesize about how long it would take to get from Earth to Pluto.
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Watershed Management
Students investigate the concept of a watershed. They conduct research into the concept using a variety of resources. Students take a field trip to a local watershed to make observations. The outcome is a report concerning the outside...
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Mars Calendar Project
Students design a calendar that displays time on Mars. They explore the differences between time on Earth and time on Mars while making the calendar.
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Evolution of Observation
Students develop an awareness of the evolution of the scientific method. They facilitate the student's knowledge of looking at variables from different perspectives. Students develop their abilities to defend their ideas with facts or...