Curated OER
Graphing the Facts
Students investigate the correlation between our planet's weather and solar activity. They analyze and discuss data regarding the solar activity cycle, graph annual precipitation and temperature averages over a period of 100 years, and...
Curated OER
Cooler in the Shadows
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow lesson, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun and Earth and...
NASA
The Effects of Sunspots on Climate
In this sunspots and climate change learning exercise, learners use a diagram of a tree stump and its rings to determine the age of the tree. They use sunspot data from the internet and they construct an Excel spreadsheet to compare the...
Curated OER
Toilet Plunger Sundial
Students build a sundial to measure the local noon time. In this third grade science lesson plan, students build a sundial out of common materials and align to measure the local noon. This lesson plan is a hands-on tracking of the sun,...
Curated OER
Solar Lesson
First graders complete sunlight and solar effects activities to learn about light and its power. In this solar activity lesson, 1st graders complete a sunscreen test activity, a light test, a black light test, a cloudy test, a sunglasses...
Curated OER
Solar Storms
Students investigate the cycles of solar activity. They plot the solar activity and use the graph to answer a number of questions and explain the relationship between the solar storms and sunspots and the impact on earth and space travel.
University of California
Sunspots: The Exploratorium's Guide to Sunspots
Examine active X-Ray regions on the sun and the possible relationship to the sunspot cycle. Through an interactive exercise and readings, you are guided through the history of our Sun! Worksheets, assessments, and more are included.
NASA
Nasa: Space Weather Action Center
This NASA site provides a detailed educator guide on how to establish a Space Weather Action Center in the classroom. After collecting data, students can turn their findings into a news report via digital video.
NOAA
Noaa: Space Weather Prediction Center: A Primer on Space Weather
The Space Environment Center put together an introduction to our sun and space weather that it creates during it's 11 year weather cycle. Learn about different solar anomalies and the effects they have on earth with pipelines, geologic...
NOAA
Noaa: Space Weather Prediction Center: Solar Effects
The Space Environment Center monitors space weather. Read this brief description of what the SEC monitors and what this space weather can effect.
NOAA
Noaa: National Weather Service: The Sun and Its Effect on the Earth [Pdf]
The Space Environment Center (SEC) put together a slide show for use by teachers on Space weather. Begin with discussing solar emission and the sun itself. Then end with a summary of climatic effects of space weather, and a note on space...
NASA
Nasa: Image Science Center: Ask the Space Scientist
A NASA space scientist provides 98 questions and answers about the sun, the center of our solar system.
NOAA
Noaa: Space Environment Topics: Radio Wave Propagation [Pdf]
NOAA has produced a series of topic papers for use by teachers and students. This paper is on the increase of radio wave activity and the effects solar emissions have on it. PDF format.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Images of the Sun
We think of the sun as being bright yellow, however, the sun is actually different colors based on whether the sun is in an active stage. Scientists used telescopes and satellite cameras to take these stunning photographs of the sun....
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Sun Earth Connection: Sunspots and Climate
Through graphing data and interpretation, students learn about sunspots and their effect on the climate of our planet.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Sun and Space Weather Image Gallery
Images and diagrams of the Sun, solar phenomena such as sunspots and flares, space weather, Earth's magnetosphere and upper atmosphere, the aurora, and more.
NASA
Nasa: Mission Science: Space Weather 101
Find out about space weather, including coronal mass ejections and solar flares, which are caused by all kinds of different types of solar activity.
NASA
The Earth Sun System
This resource provides some interesting video footage of the Sun. Also included is information about the effects of solar radiation on the Earth's magnetosphere and weather.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Solar Flare
Solar flares are huge explosions on the Sun that emit lots of electromagnetic radiation.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Sundogs
Learn all about sundogs, an optical phenomenon in the atmosphere.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Sunspots
Read all about sunspots, dark, planet-sized regions that appear on the "surface" of the Sun.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Coronal Holes in the Sun's Atmosphere
Coronal holes are areas in the Sun's atmosphere that appear dark in X-ray and ultraviolet images of the Sun. View a picture and read a description of coronal holes in this article.
NASA
Nasa Space Place: Sunspots and Solar Flares
Learn about sunspots and solar flares and the effects of solar activity on Earth.
NASA
Nasa: Solar Data Analysis Center: The Sun
This site presents a general overview of the sun, followed by questions scientists are currently trying to find answers to, and links to several "Sun related," sources.