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Solar System Crossword
In this solar system crossword puzzle worksheet, students use the 13 clues and the terms in the word bank to help them correctly complete the word puzzle.
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Modeling the Change of Seasons
Students evaluate data to determine changes in length of day. They model the revolution of Earth around the sun to show changes in length of day and sun angle and illustrate how the sun angle affects the change of season.
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The Sun in Our Lives
Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.
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The Science of Changing Seasons
Students explore basic principles of seasonal change, ponder the mechanisms that drive these changes, and perform experiments that show what causes the earth to heat differently during different seasons.
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An application of the Parallax Effect
In this parallax effect worksheet, students observe 2 photographs taken of an active area of the sun by 2 STEREO satellites and 1 photograph taken of the same active area of the sun by the SOHO satellite. Students observe the shift in...
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Cooking with the Sun!
Students access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker instructional activity, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Students complete a...
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Me and My Shadow
Middle schoolers apply the process of scientific inquiries or technological design to explore the explanations of the daily patterns of the Earth's rotation. They record different shadow lengths showing the apparent movement of the sun...
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SDO: Measuring the Speed of an Eruptive Prominence
In this eruptive prominence worksheet, students read about a plasma ejection from the sun measured by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. Students solve 3 problems using the given diagrams of the ejection. They determine the scale of the...
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The Plasmasphere
In this plasmasphere instructional activity, students read about the dilute region of gases 10,000 kilometers above the Earth where atoms are ionized. Students use a photograph taken by the IMAGE EUV instrument to answer 3 questions...
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The Oscillation Period of Gaseous Spheres
In this oscillation period worksheet, students read about how the force of gravity effects the oscillation of bodies. Students use two given formulas to identify the oscillation period of the sun, the Earth and a neutron star.
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What Makes Shadows? Observing and Drawing Shadows
Students make accurate drawings of a classmate's shadow. They note position of the sun in the sky. They identify a connection between the direction of the shadow and the location of the sun. They observe changes in shadows over time.
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The Climate Change Skeptic's Argument: Natural Solar Cycles or Human Activity?
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 plan on the sun's natural...
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Finding Mass in the Cosmos
In this finding mass in the cosmos worksheet, students use the equations for the force of gravity, the centrifugal force pushing a planet outwards and the speed of a planet to solve 2 problems. They find the mass of primary bodies given...
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The Legend of Jack-O'-Lantern
Students examine various Halloween traditions and the legend of the Jack O'Lantern. They listen to the story "Pumpkin Pumpkin," examine a map and locate the origins of pumpkins, weigh and measure a pumpkin and graph the results, and...
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Modeling Hot and Cold Planets
Students, in teams, design and construct models of two planets, one hot and the other cold, using a variety of materials. They attempt to create the models out of substances that will actually show the greatest temperature differences...
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The Webb Space Telescope: Detecting Dwarf Planets
In this detecting dwarf planets worksheet, students read about the Webb Space Telescope that will be launched in 2014 to detect dwarf planets using an infrared telescope. Students solve 3 problems and create a graph for each using given...
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Angular Size and Similar Triangles
In this angular size and similar triangles activity, students use the properties of similar triangles and the ratios of sides to solve for unknowns in given diagrams.
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The Tides-Ups and Downs
High schoolers investigate tidal patters and the forces that cause the tides. In this tidal lesson plan, students explore and research the tides and complete 43 questions about the causes of the tides, how they are monitored and measured...
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Observing and Sketching the Lunar Surface
Young scholars explore space science by conducting an illustration activity. In this lunar lesson, students discuss what the moon is and the role it plays for our environment on Earth. Young scholars view images of the moon and utilize...
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Notes: Characteristics of Stars
Students investigate stars and the solar system by completing a worksheet. For this space science lesson, students complete a fill in the blank worksheet based on the stars and components of the cosmos.
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Writing Exercises: Scientific Revolution
How is the Scientific Revolution evident in our lives today? Use this short-answer application and comprehension activity as your scholars explore this progressive era. Questions have learners explaining the scientific method and...
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May Earth be Revolving around the Sun?
Ninth graders explore how Aristarchus used the position of the half-full Moon to estimate the distance to the Sun, and how he made a great error, but still figured out that the Sun is much larger than Earth.
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How Can a Spacecraft Always Face the Sun?
Students determine the correct orbital path for a satellite that collects data about the sun so that its view of the sun never be obstructed by the Earth.
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Properties of Earth: Word Search
In this word search worksheet, students search for words related to the Earth, the sun and it's movements. Terms include seasons, features, and movements.