Curated OER
Theme
Young scholars examine a reading selection. In this descriptive writing lesson, students read an excerpt from "Hello! Anybody Out There?". Young scholars discuss the idea of aliens living on other planets, describe what they think an...
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How Far...How Powerful
Learners explore the concept of gamma ray bursts. They examine basic physics concepts about light, measure the shifts of spectral lines, and utilize Hubble's Law to deduce the velocity of an astronomical object.
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Physics Quiz
In this physics worksheet, students complete short answer questions about physics concepts such as electricity, space, light, and more. Students complete 20 short answer questions.
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Whose Water Is It?
Students role-play as San Francisco residents in 1908 who support or oppose the building of a dam in Yosemite National Park. They create posters and write letters to representatives defending their positions.
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Hello, Anybody Out There?
Students understand that people believe there may be life in other solar systems. In this communication with other solar systems lesson, students analyze our planet and write things they want to communicate to other solar systems.
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SALLY RIDE
Students express what it would be like to launch off into outer space in a space shuttle. They include what it might feel like, look like, sound like, and any thoughts that go through their mind as they dart away from the Earth's...
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Cosmology
In this space science worksheet, students find the words that are related to the study of cosmology and the answers are found at the bottom of the page.
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Paths of Electrical Currents
Fourth graders examine the paths that electrical currents travel. They create a current of electricity using flashlights, bulbs, batteries, wires and tape. They determine how to create a closed circuit that will light the bulb. They...
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Teachers' Notes: Switch Gets Ready!
Students practice multiplication facts, answer simple math questions from two, five, and ten times-tables, explore concept of halves and quarters, complete worksheet containing range of shapes to make shape picture, and sort data and...
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Solar System (Lesson 2)
Eighth graders identify the objects that make up the solar system. They define new vocabulary and practice using them. They discover that the sun is a star.
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Periodic Table
Students identify the periodic table trends and predict material properties. They also design and conduct simple experiments and test material properties. Finally, students compare and contrast material properties and that chemical...
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Extraterrestrial Communication: Can We Talk to Anybody Out There?
Students examine the possibilities of communication with other living organisms within our solar system through research and hands on activities, as well as observing and analyzing teacher demonstrations.
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Astronomical Scales
Learners describe the different units of measurement. In this space science lesson, students calculate astronomical distances using a scale. They explain the significance of using scientific notation in expressing very small or very...
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Beam Me Up Scotty#153
Students analyze population and land use data to predict future environmental problems. They use fictitious data for this exercise while pretending that they are helping aliens who have come to them for advice.
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Pea Brain! Explorations in Estimation
Students estimate how many peas fit in a container. For this science lesson, students calculate the weight of a pea and record it. They use this data to calculate how many peas fit in a human brain.
NASA
Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Active Galaxies and Quasars
Describes quasars as being classified within the category of an active galaxy. A description of the emergence of high-energy. Definitions of key words are provided.gamma-ray quasars as an important component of the gamma-ray sky.
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: History & People
Biographies of people throughout history who looked at the sky and wondered what was there. Links to a detailed description of the planets and interactive activities.
NASA
Astronomy Picture of the Day: Quasar Galaxy Collision
An image of a quasar. The large redshifts imply that quasars lie near the edge of the observable universe and must emit tremendous amounts of energy. There are also many embedded links to related topics.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Small Are We in the Scale of the Universe?
In 1995, scientists pointed the Hubble Telescope at an area of the sky near the Big Dipper. The location was apparently empty, and the whole endeavor was risky- what, if anything, was going to show up? But what came back was nothing...
Australian Museum
Australian Museum: The Earth: The Universe
Basic information about the universe, its origin and composition. Also includes information about galaxies, stars, and the sun.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: The Universe (Level 2)
This site provides a description of the universe and what it contains. Includes links to definitions, activities, and an audio song. Printable version available.
NASA
Nasa Star Child: The Universe (Level 1)
This site provides an introduction to the origin of the universe for the young child and the Big Bang theory. There is also a song about the Doppler Shift. Vocabulary glossary and printable version available.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: How Did the Universe Begin?
Bite-size introduction to two scientists-Hubble and Lemaitre-who played key roles in formulating the theory of the origin of the universe known as the big bang. Includes an interactive timeline on which you can plot out the approximate...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Universe, an Introduction
Start with the questions all students ask: How big is the universe, how far away are the planets and stars, how did they form and when, how do they move and why? Build on their natural curiosity. The Smithsonian, in cooperation with...