Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy Solutions; A Brochure

For Teachers 6th - 8th
By creating an energy brochure, teams of science learners inform others about the advantages of using alternative energy sources. An instructions page for your class and a grading rubric are provided. The lesson focuses on photovoltaics,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Up in the Sky

For Teachers 1st
First graders associate events and objects with day or night. They create a word bank and use is as a reference to create sentences about the sun. They conduct sun-themed experiments and art projects.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planetary Mobile

For Teachers K - 4th
Students receive pre-cut templates of cardboard with appropriate diameters of each planet and the sun. They use multi-colored construction paper, scissors, yarn, and other art supplies to create their own models of planets. When students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

ENERGY, Design Competition: Energy Systems of the Future!

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners examine energy, where it comes from and the different fuels that are used.  In this energy lesson students design an energy infrastructure using a renewable energy source. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High in the Sky

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the concept of constellations. In this constellations lesson, 6th graders research Internet and print sources regarding constellations, particularly those that are named for mythological creatures. Students compose...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils, through small group discussion, identify and share a rationale for shapes and patterns in the construction of a mobile that represents the solar system that makes them think of the creation of our solar system.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fine Motor Skills

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss what they know about the planets, space, and the solar system including the colors of the planets. They also talk about why the planets are the color that they are. Next, they color cut-outs of the planets using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Model of the Sun's interior

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students create a three-dimensional model of the sun. In this solar system lesson, students design a scale model of the sun using plasticine.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Ocean Life Lesson Plans

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn about life in the ocean with lessons that connect science, art, and environmental topics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's "Out" There?

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate the five outer planets. In this space science lesson, 1st graders read the book Our Solar System and identify the five outer planets. Students create a booklet and write about outer planets.
Lesson Plan
Baylor College

What Is the Water Cycle?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Small groups place sand and ice in a covered box, place the box in the sunlight, then observe as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation occur. These models serve as miniature water cycles and demonstrations of the three phases of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets or Not, Here We Come!

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students, working in groups, research planets in terms of the size, temperature, number of moons, and potential for life. They use packets and worksheets as guides for their research. Students may role-play as aliens visiting their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Arts- Planetary Travel Brochure

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students research the planets and create a "travel brochure." In this space science lesson plan, students read the book Magic School Bus: Lost in Space and identify various properties of each planet. Students create a brochure for a...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Galileo: Revealing the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
To gain an understanding of the significance of Galileo Galilei's revolutionary ideas, class members watch the short video "Stargazing Before Galileo," and conduct a close reading of Galileo's Sidereal Messsenger. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planet/Constellation Mobile

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct three-dimensional solar system mobiles.
Lesson Plan
University of Colorado

Terra Bagga

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
One way to identify possible volcanic activity on other planets is by testing the planet for magnetism. A science lesson plan begins with pupils constructing their own planet from a dead battery, magnets, paper, and tape before...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Puzzling Planets

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students list the order of the planets, describe the general characteristics of each planet and explain why we could not live on other planets without special equipment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy From Space: The Next Frontier

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate ideas for getting energy from space. In this space-based power lesson, students read articles about ideas for alternatives to fossil fuels. Middle schoolers define and give examples of vocabulary words....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water, Weather, and the World

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students in a special education classroom examine the role of weather and water in their lives. Each day, they add a symbol for the weather outside and identify the proper activities for the weather on that day. In groups, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sun and Earth

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore the sun, its structure, how big it is and how far away it is.  In this solar system lesson students complete a lab activity on dew point and weather.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientific Notation

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of expressing numbers in scientific notation. In this scientific notation lesson, students understand the importance of using scientific notation by finding real world examples where scientific notation is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Warming the Earth

For Teachers 1st
First graders investigate how the sun warms the Earth and examine the rotation of the Earth and the sun. They create an illustration of the sun, examine a solar system model, and listen to the book "The Sun: Our Nearest Star." They also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Destination Mars

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study Mars and what it would take to man a mission there.  In this solar system lesson students view a video and complete an art activity in groups. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Destination Mars!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders view Mysteries of Earth & Mars Video on DVD and record thoughts in their online journal. They record data in a spreadsheet about each planet then form a theory of the best time to launch a space craft from Earth to land...