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The Solar Cycle
Students research the solar cycle. In this Science lesson, students use the internet to investigate the solar cycle. Students produce a spreadsheet and graph from the information collected.
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The Reasons for the Season
Students explain the reason for the changes in season. In this lesson examining the relationship between the Earth and the Sun, students use an applet to discover how the alignment of the Earth and the Sun cause the change in seasons.
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The Expanding Universe
Students explore the expanding universe. In this science lesson plan, students use balloons to model the expansion of the universe. Students take measurements of the balloon expansion and answer questions directed to develop...
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Properties of Dust
Learners examine the dust in their classroom and relate it to the dust in space. In this investigative activity students collect dust and graph their findings.
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Chandra X-Ray Observatory
Learners tour Chandra's top galactic X-ray images. In this Chandra X-Ray Observatory lesson, students play games and complete puzzles based on the Chandra Mission and X-Ray Astronomy. Learners listen to pod casts, question an...
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The Milky Way and Beyond
Students consider the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy. In this Milky Way lesson, students hypothesize the length of time necessary to cross the Milky Way.
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The Amazing and Beautiful Aurora
Students create an oil pastel painting. In this pastel painting lesson, students examine images of the aurora borealis. Students produce an original pastel painting of the aurora.
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Galaxy Flashcards
On two pages you will find the pictures of 19 different galaxies and a Hubble "Tuning Ford" diagram. Print these out on cardstock and let primary space scientists use them to identify the three different types: spiral, elliptical, and...
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Scoping Out Space
Young scholars research existing and proposed telescope projects and synthesize their knowledge by creating presentations on each telescope and speculating about which project is worthy of additional funding.
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Timeline of Technology
Young scholars choose an aspect of Astronomy to research. In this instructional activity on technology, students make a timeline of notable events in the development of astronomy and aerospace technology.
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The KAO Telescope
Students explore the basic principles of the operation of the NASA's KAO telescope. They construct a simplified model of it using film canisters and other everyday objects. Step by step directions are included in plan.
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Star Search
Seventh graders explore stars. In this star lesson, 7th graders apply generalities about space objects to constellations and explore the differences between radio waves and light waves by answering essential questions in their research.
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Momentum
Students learn the concepts of momentum and its conservation, using the recoil of a cannon as an example. They examine how momentum is a vector, allowing its conservation to be applied to problems in 2 and 3 dimensions.
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Galaxies
Students use the provided website to classify galaxies after exploring information about elliptical, spiral, lenticular, and irregular galaxies and using the Hubble Tuning Fork.
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Journey To The Solar System
Third graders engage in a lesson to find different facts and connect them to the concept of the solar system. They conduct research using the technology integration of the internet. Using the information the students create a classroom...
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Sky Quest
Students identify constellations in the evening sky. In this Sky Quest lesson, students create their own star patterns using a star map worksheet. Students explain how different celestial bodies in space are viewed through a telescope.
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Puzzling Planets
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based lesson, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.
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Distances to Stars
Students explore the idea of parallax. For this astronomy lesson, students study the distances of stars. They investigate how parallax can be used to determine these distances.
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Stellar Observations
Ninth graders study the uses of spectroscopy and the operation of the Hubble space telescope. In this astronomy lesson students complete a lab activity that includes graphing star color and temperature.
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SETI WebQuest and the Drake Equation
Students complete a WebQuest where they research the Internet for extraterrestrial intelligence. In this extraterrestrial lesson plan, students also explore how the Drake Equation can predict the occurrence of life elsewhere.
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Types of Scientists
In this science worksheet, students match each type of scientist listed in the left-had column to its correct description found in the right-hand column. There are 34 different scientists to match on the sheet.
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The amazing and Beautiful Aurora
Young scholars research the aurora. In this aurora lesson, students participate in a webquest about the aurora. Webquest worksheet is included.
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How Do We Explore Strange Environments?
Students identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features to...
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Habitable Zones
Students focus on stellar luminosities to estimate size of habitable zones, map out habitable zone around hot light bulbs that serve as models of stars, investigate how size of model "habitable zone" around light bulbs depends on...