Curated OER
Phase to Phase with the Moon
Fourth graders study the Moon phases. The lesson includes hands-on activities as well as web-based activities. They use models of the Moon and a lamp to study each of the phases of the Moon, and test their knowlege of the Moon on a web...
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Internet Quest: Weatherman Walt-Why the Sky is Blue
Students analyze atmosphere and light. In this earth science lesson, students are introduced to an investigation about why the sky is blue. Students complete a WebQuest to answer the question.
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The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds
Students record scientific observations in a science journal. In this season instructional activity, students make observations about each of the seasons and record in their journals. Students record organisms response to seasonal...
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Baking Ice Cream
Students discover the concept of an insulator. In this science experiment lesson, students follow the directions for baking ice cream. When baking is completed, students observe the results and answer questions on the provided worksheet.
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A Rock Cycle Shower
Students classify rocks as sedimentary, igneous or metamorphic based on physical properties. In this earth science lesson, students recreate the rock cycle using a set of stones placed on labeled shower curtain. They explain the...
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Polar Energy
Students define and read an article on polar energy. In this polar energy activity, students answer questions about the article. Students participate in activities related to isotopes, half-life and radiocarbon. Students make global...
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Mathematics at the Frontier of Astronomy
Students explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. In this space science lesson, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math aides in...
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Weather, Sea Level Rise and Climate Change
Eighth graders compare and contrast weather and climate. In this earth science lesson plan, 8th graders research weather data site and analyze historical data. They present their findings in class and explain identifiable trends.
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Weather
Students explore the earth's atmosphere, weather, and climate. They begin class with a discussion about weather patterns, atmosphere, and the layers of the earth. After the class discussion, students rotate through four stations to...
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Cassini-Huygens: Mission to Saturn & Titan
In this science word search worksheet, students will find 12 words related to the Cassini-Huygens space mission. There are facts about the mission and Saturn around the outside of the word search.
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Saturn’s Moons
Students compare Saturn's moons to the Earth's moon. In this moon lesson students work in groups and complete a lab activity then answer questions.
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Origins: Earth Is Born
Students develop a timeline of all the major events involved in the formation of the Earth and the emergence of humans. In groups, they focus on a specific topic by watching a PBS program and taking notes. After the video, they list...
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Where Is The Juice?
Pupils are introduced to the component's of Ohm's Law. In groups, they practice their problem solving skills by reviewing problems solved earlier. They participate in activities that help them gather information on the importance of the...
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Tools of Modern Astronomy
Students differentiate refracting and reflecting telescopes. In this earth science lesson, students explain how they are closely connected to satellites. They complete the concept map at the end of the activity.
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Using My Nasa Data To Determine Volcanic Activity
Students use NASA satellite data of optical depth as a tool to determine volcanic activity on Reunion Island during 2000-2001. They access the data and utilize Excel to create a graph that has optical depth as a function of time for the...
Space Awareness
The Intertropical Convergence Zone
Young scientists know it is hotter along the equator, but why is it also rainier? Through the process of completing two experiments and a worksheet, scholars discover the answer is the intertropical convergence zone. First, they...
Curated OER
Exploring Weather Conditions Through Painting
Your advanced class will paint a picture of a particular weather condition. For this painting lesson learners describe elements of art in pieces of artwork. They analyze the weather and seasons in the artwork. The students use paper,...
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Cooking with the Sun
Students explore using energy from the sun for heating and cooking as they build and compare the performance of four solar cooker designs. This excellent two-day lesson has groups of students build and test a variety of solar cookers....
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Planetary Place Value
Third graders explore place value to the ten thousands place. This incredibly thorough, 24-page lesson plan has learners construct, order, and compare numbers to 9,999. This three-day lesson plan includes reteaching and extension...
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Make Your Own Temperature Scale
Differentiate between temperature and thermal energy. Your class will build a thermometer using simple materials and develop their own scale for measuring temperature. Discuss with your class and consider why engineers need to understand...
SeaWorld
Marvelous Manatees
Here is an interesting lesson on the manatee for your upper graders or middle schoolers. A game is played where learners work together to complete a successful manatee migration. It's a board game, and all of the game components are...
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Take Your Class to the Moon
Get your kids talking about our lunar neighbor with these hands-on lessons.
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Asteroids
Students study asteroids and how their size relates to a possible danger of one colliding with Earth. In this asteroids lesson students see how big an asteroid has to be to cause destruction to Earth.
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Making a Pinhole Camera
Students are introduced to the basic straight line pattern of travel that light takes. A cereal box and wax paper provide the pinhole camera that captures the light's inverted image. Shifting this pattern provides additional challenges.