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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Mysteries of the Universe

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Consider the issues surrounding the world of space exploration including the new fields of archaeoastronomy and astrobiology. Investigate zero gravity, the Big Bang theory, life in space and how sound travels in a vacuum.
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Activity
The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute Online: Make Your Own Barometer

For Students 3rd - 8th
At this site from the Franklin Institute Online, you are given instructions how to make a simple barometer as part of an activity in which you make a weather station for observation.
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Activity
The Franklin Institute

The Franklin Institute Online: Greenhouse Effect in a Jar

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students can investigate the greenhouse effect on the atmosphere with this simple lesson. The steps are easy and the materials needed are basic.
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Handout
USA Today

Usa Today: Jet Stream Roars Along High Above Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
A good explanation of the jet stream is offered with links to other related information.
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Lesson Plan
Other

Cornerstone Networks: Fourth Grade Science Lesson 1

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This site, designed as a fourth-grade lesson, focuses on the earth's atmosphere with information on prevailing winds.
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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Weather & Climate: Earth's Atmosphere

For Students 3rd - 5th
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on the composition of and the layers in Earth's atmosphere.
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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, and Atmosphere

For Students 3rd - 5th
A slideshow and a short multiple-choice quiz on the rock surface of the Earth, its water, and the gas layers that surround it.
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Website
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Introduction to the Atmosphere

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of the Earth's atmosphere, with explanations about atmospheric properties, the structure of the atmosphere, its four layers, atmospheric processes, energy heat transfer, conduction and convection, and radiation. All...
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Handout
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: How High Does the Atmosphere Go?

For Students 9th - 10th
This lesson shows the parts of the atmosphere and their size (thickness) relative to the size of the Earth. It includes background information, lesson outline, links to standards and assessments.
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Handout
National Weather Service

National Weather Service: Jet Stream: The Atmosphere

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about the atmosphere, it's make-up, the layers, the hydrologic cycle and more. The National Weather Service presents this site, including learning lessons and review questions.
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Unit Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Introduction to Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
A detailed overview of the Earth's climate, with explanations about the difference between weather and climate, dendrochronology, palynology, and how Earth's climate has changed over time. All information is reinforced through pictures,...
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Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Extreme Weather on Our Planet

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This lesson from National Geographic for grades 2-5 has a great photo gallery and video of extreme weather, and a chart for plotting weather investigation. Learning objectives, teaching methods, and connections to National Science...
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Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Astronomy Picture of the Day: Jupiter's Clouds 3 D

For Students 9th - 10th
Every day is a cloudy day on Jupiter, the Solar System's reigning gas giant. This 3-dimensional visualization presents a simplified model view from between Jovian cloud decks based on imaging and spectral data recorded by the Galileo...
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Graphic
NASA

Nasa: Astronomy Picture of the Day: Jupiter From Voyager

For Students 9th - 10th
Taken by Voyager 1 as it passed Jupiter in 1979, this image shows the Great Red Spot, which is a hurricane-like storm that has lasted over 300 years, and is more than three times the size of planet Earth.
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Website
Geography 4 kids

Geography4 kids.com: A Cozy Blanket Around the Earth

For Students 3rd - 8th
Understand the layers in the atmosphere that wrap around the earth.
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Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Ocean Acidification in a Cup

For Students 9th - 10th
In this activity, you can observe how ocean acidification can have big consequences. This activity has students creating a cup that has a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere that allows them to watch how the water changes beneath the atmosphere.
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Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Serc: Lower Atmosphere Temperature Profile

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Young scholars are challenged to measure the temperature profile of the lower atmosphere. Experiment serves as an introduction to buoyancy, drag force, sensor calibration, and data plotting.
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Lesson Plan
National Association of Geoscience Teachers

Nagt: Earth System Science Project

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An Earth System Project shows the interaction between the Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, and Biosphere. This project provides a model of a pond ecosystem and can easily be woven into the hydrosphere unit.
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Earth System Science

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn to identify the parts of the Earth system and the processes that connect them. They look for interconnections among components of the Earth system at the local level, using a study site close to their school.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa: Climate Kids: What Is the Greenhouse Effect

For Students 3rd - 5th
Find out how Earth's atmosphere acts like a greenhouse, and the effect this has on ecosystems.
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eBook
NASA

Nasa: The Air We Breathe Picture Book

For Students K - 1st
This colorful picture book is designed to introduce students to Earth's atmosphere, and to help them understand its importance to life on Earth.
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Website
NASA

Nasa: Hurricanes

For Students 3rd - 6th
Learn about hurricanes and how they are created. Features include video animation, the histories of the most devastating hurricanes and topics such as hurricane naming and hurricane study.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Mesosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the properties of the mesosphere.
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Mesosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes the properties of the mesosphere.