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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dark Matter In The Universe

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate the concept of dark matter and how it occurs in the universe. They conduct research using a variety of resources. Students use the information by reading at least two articles about dark matter. They also generate...
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Dark Matter: The Matter We Can't See

For Students 9th - 10th
The Greeks had a simple and elegant formula for the universe: just earth, fire, wind, and water, but this visible matter comprises only 4% of the universe. CERN scientist James Gillies tells us what accounts for the remaining 96% (dark...
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Article
Story Behind the Science

Story Behind the Science: The Story of Dark Matter [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
The scientific history behind the discovery of dark matter. Questions are posed throughout about how theories are developed to provide possible explanations of natural phenomena.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Dark Matter: How Does It Explain a Star's Speed?

For Students 9th - 10th
Video describes how stars move in a spiral galaxy and how their speeds can be explained by accounting for dark matter. [3:17] Includes a brief quiz and a list of additional resources to explore.
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Primary
Other

American Scientist: Author Interview: Neil De Grasse Tyson

For Students 9th - 10th
Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has made "Popularizing science a personal passion." Tyson's latest book, Origins, is the starting point here for a discussion of dark matter, intelligent life in our solar system, the possibility of...
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Website
NASA

Nasa Cosmology: The Study of the Universe

For Students 9th - 10th
Cosmology is the study of the "large scale properties of the universe as a whole." In this set of sites, NASA provides information on the Big Bang Theory in a simplified language. The beginning, evolution, structure, fluctuations and...
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Website
Other

Ippog: Hands on Particle Physics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Looking for more insight into particle physics? Search among several general particle physics resources. Or locate a specific particle physics institute in your area of the world.
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Website
Other

Particle Physics at Discovery's Horizon

For Students 9th - 10th
Explore the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and how the U.S. Department of Energy and National Science Foundation have collaborated with this huge project and related experiments. You can find facts about the LHC, browse a bank of high...
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Galaxies, the Milky Way and Beyond

For Students 9th - 10th
In this interactive tutorial students will explore galaxies. Learn what the Milky Way Galaxy is like, how various galaxies are grouped into clusters and superclusters and why those particular galaxies clump together.
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Website
NASA

Nasa: Imagine the Universe: Imagine the Universe!

For Students 9th - 10th
This helpful site provides everything you want to know about studying the universe. Take a look at the tools and methods scientists use to study the universe, discover some of the objects that make up our universe, learn how scientists...
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Website
NASA

Nasa Star Child: Dark Matter (Level 1)

For Students 3rd - 5th
This site provides a description of "dark matter" and how scientist study it.
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Website
NASA

Nasa Star Child: Dark Matter (Level 2)

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site provides a description of "dark matter" and how scientists study it. Vocabulary words linked to a glossary of terms, and a printable version are also available on the site.
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Unit Plan
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Berkeley Lab: The Particle Adventure

For Students 9th - 10th
Visit this site for an interactive tour of the atom and all aspects of particle physics. View the animations available with almost every description on this site. A great place for the fundamentals of particles and forces including a...
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Article
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: How Big Is the Universe?

For Students 9th - 10th
In this media-rich essay from the NOVA Web site, astronomer Brent Tully of the University of Hawaii walks you through the latest scientific theories about the size of the universe.
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Lesson Plan
Utah State Office of Education

Uen: Dark Matter

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners will learn about scientific method through the use of an article on dark matter.
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Website
BBC

Bbc: Dark Matter

For Students 9th - 10th
A clear explanation of how dark matter was discovered and why it is important to astronomers.
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Handout
Cosmos 4 kids

Cosmos4 Kids: Much Ado About Nothing

For Students 3rd - 8th
This site will explain the cold, empty space in our universe called vacuums. Site also includes a video explaining the concept.
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Patricia Burchat Sheds Light on Dark Matter

For Students 9th - 10th
Watch as physicist, Patricia Burchat, discusses two basic ingredients of our universe, dark matter and dark energy, and the effects they have in the expanding universe. [17:09]
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Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Einstein's Theory of General Relativity

For Students 9th - 10th
How are spacetime, dark matter and gravity related? In celebration of the centennial of Einstein's theory of general relativity, this video breaks it down. [3:04]
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Website
Symmetry Magazine

Symmetry Magazine: Explain It in 60 Seconds: Neutralinos

For Students 9th - 10th
Neutralinos, described here, are hypothesized particles of dark matter. Scientists hope to confirm their existence through their research with the Large Hadron Collider. "Explain It In 60 Seconds" is an article series that aims to...
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Website
Symmetry Magazine

Symmetry Magazine: Explain It in 60 Seconds: Dark Matter

For Students 9th - 10th
Dark matter is still quite a mystery to scientists, who hope to learn more about it through experiments with particle accelerators. "Explain It In 60 Seconds" is an article series that aims to summarize in a few paragraphs the meaning of...
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Website
Other

Uc Riverside: Usenet Relativity Faq

For Students 9th - 10th
A physics usenet listing of frequently asked questions relating to relativity, answered by a number of scientists. Administrivia and Reference, Speed of Light, Special Relativity, General Relativity and Cosmology, Black Holes. Loads of...
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Website
Sonoma State University

The Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope (Glast)

For Students 9th - 10th
Background information on gamma rays and the sources of gamma rays in the universe. Discusses the purpose of the GLAST space mission and the types of findings which they wish to make. A link to the GLAST movie provides an excellent...
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Article
Seeker

Seeker: Week of 1 6 14: Is Earth Surrounded by Dark Matter?

For Students 9th - 10th
Article reports on a presentation that suggests that the Earth is surrounded by dark matter.