University of Texas
Observing the Moon
Why does it look like there is a man on the moon? Why does the moon look different every night? These are the focus questions of a lesson that prompts class members to observe and record the nightly changes of Earth's natural...
NOAA
A Laboratory Simulation of Ocean Surface Currents
Stimulate interest in ocean currents with a simulation. The first installment of a five-part middle school series teaches future oceanographers about the forces that interact to cause ocean currents. A simulation shows how wind and...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Auroras
Learn the science behind one of the most beautiful acts of nature. A comprehensive lesson explores the causes and characteristics of auroras. The instruction also explains the differences among auroras and what the differences indicate...
Curated OER
Earth's Water
If the majority of our planet is covered with water, why do we need to bother conserving it? With a thorough and varied investigation into the location and types of water on the earth, learners will gain an understanding of why this...
Curated OER
Water in Earth's Hydrosphere
Environmentalists test stream water for temperature, pH, and turbidity. Each group shares their information and then the class makes an overall evaluation of the water quality. A slide show sets the backdrop for the teaching portion and...
Global Oneness Project
Witnessing Icebergs
Camille Seaman's photoessay, "Witnessing Icebergs" documents just a tip of the problem of climate change through images of icebergs in both the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions. After viewing the haunting images, viewers respond...
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: Its a Gas, Man
Students participate in a demonstration in which they examine the effect on temperature by carbon dioxide. They discuss the effects of carbon dioxide on the environment. They also examine summer safety rules to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Water, Water Everywhere
Students estimate the amount of water that can be found in its various forms including oceans, lakes, glaciers, rivers, etc. They view a demonstration about water distribution and discuss flash flooding safety precautions.
Curated OER
The Sky Show
Learners use lecture and research to answer the question: Why is the sky blue? students research a variety of other sky phenomena, chart their observations and participate in experiments.
Curated OER
It's So Sticky Outside That...
Students examine the phases of the water cycle and water's different forms it can have. They work in groups to create pantomimes to illustrate the water cycle to their classmates.
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: Crunch Time
Young scholars demonstrate the effect of heat on pressure. They use a 2-liter bottle and hot tap water to complete the experiments. They also discuss thunderstorm safety rules.
Curated OER
Precipitation
Students investigate the formation of rain. They experiment by boiling water in a tea kettle and placing ice cubes and water in a pan. They hold the pan of water over the steaming spout so that the steam strikes the bottom and sides of...
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: Sweatin' to the Coldies
Students participate in a demonstration to show the change of water vapor to a liquid. They discuss the three states of matter. They examine flash flood safety to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Interdisciplinary Global Warming
Ninth graders are given a wide variety of earth science topics to choose from to write a report on. This lesson also has a scoring rubric imbedded in the plan. They utilize the internet and other sources to complete their research.
Curated OER
Flood Cycles 30/100 or Somewhere In Between
Young scholars examine traditional flood cycles. They research floods that have occured between 30 and 100 years. They use a tool known as Climprob to study precipitation patterns that might cause floods.
Curated OER
Learning Lesson: Measure the Pressure -- The "Wet" Barometer
Young scholars use simple objects to create their own barometer. They have five days to build it and ten days to observe and collect data. They examine thunderstorm safety tips to end the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Am I Hot or Am I Cold?
Students practice using a thermometer to determine how the air around the earth gets heated and cooled by the sun. Students chart the daily inside and outside temperature for two weeks.
Curated OER
The Rumblin' Road
Students determine the distance to a lightning strike. They complete a number of examples that determine the distance to a thunderstorm or lightning strike. They focus on safety during a thunderstorm.
Curated OER
Air Pollution
Students identify the causes and effects of air pollution and how to reduce air pollution.
Curated OER
Mars Geologic Mapping
Students identify and interpret photographic details of a Martian surface image, design, and create a simple features map. They identify and interpret the geologic history of a part of Mars' surface and then, analyze and discuss the...
Curated OER
Investigating Impressionism
Students explore Impressionism and artists like Monet and Renoir. In this Impressionism lesson, students visit an Impressionism website and discuss the themes used in the art. Students select an Impressionist artist and research them....
Curated OER
Meteorology
Students research and produce an oral history that reflects the importance of meterologists in the lives of people in their community.
Curated OER
Defining Drought
High schoolers examine the hydrologic impacts of drought. Humans can change the course of the water cycle, to some extent, to meet their needs, but can they do so without imposing risks on the plants and animals?
Curated OER
Measuring the Number Of Calories In Sunlight
Pupils., in groups, define calorie and compare the absorption of solar energy by three different collectors. They define solar constant and offer several explanations for discrepancies between the data collected and the solar constant.