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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life Cycle of a Star

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the life cycle of a star and make conclusions based on evidence, research, and observation.  In this lesson on space and scientific investigation, students describe the relationships between science and technology...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simulating the Greenhouse Effect in a Terrarium

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify what factors effect global warming and how the greenhouse effect occurs.  In this environmental lesson students view videos then complete an experiment using a terrarium to observe greenhouse gas.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explore the earth's atmosphere, weather, and climate. They begin class with a discussion about weather patterns, atmosphere, and the layers of the earth. After the class discussion, students rotate through four stations to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reflecting on Reflectivity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Stars?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars research the solar system and it's characteristics.  For this solar system lesson, students are broken into 4 groups, each assigned a specific part of the solar system.  Young scholars use the Internet to research their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How can my breakfast help the birds?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders design farms with a bird's habitat in mind. In this farm lesson plan, 6th graders research how sun grown coffee destroys a bird habitat, and then they make their own farm with a bird's habitat being preserved. They then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks on Parade!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders describe and classify rock samples. In this rock lesson, 3rd graders make inferences about rock samples by observing and measuring them. This lesson contains 5 different stations for the students to go to. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sunlight and Warm Air

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine the different ways heat can be felt.  In this radiation and conduction lesson, students recognize that the sun radiates heat. Students conduct three experiments to find how the sun warms the Earth and how that heat is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carve That Mountain

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate major landforms (e.g., mountains, rivers, plains, hills, oceans and plateaus). They build a three-dimensional model of a landscape depicting several of these landforms. Once they have built their model, they act as...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore ways water moves through various reservoirs on Earth, examine how human activities change water cycle, investigate substances present in water that indicate human activity, and discuss how understanding water cycle...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Far Out!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research and compare/contrast how routine tasks on Earth would be without gravity. They read and discuss the article "The Life Galactic: A Lot of Work, a Little Play, Plenty of E-Mail." In groups they write a pitch for a TV...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Observing and Sketching the Lunar Surface

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students explore space science by conducting an illustration activity. For this lunar lesson, students discuss what the moon is and the role it plays for our environment on Earth. Students view images of the moon and utilize chalk to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time Line of Astronomy Events and Discoveries

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners work in groups to present a segment of a timeline of events and discoveries in astronomy. In this astronomy lesson plan, students teach their classmates about their section of the timeline.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Moon Orbits the Sun?!?!

For Teachers 8th - Higher Ed
Learners calculate the strength of gravitational force exerted on the moon by the sun and earth. In this orbital lesson students view a demonstration to see the gravitational forces between bodies.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Are Lunar tics!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders, working in cooperative groups, will create a multimedia presentation about the Earth's moon. Their research must be presented through three or more methods. (i.e. charts; graphs; oral reports; multi-media; dramatic role...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: Muscles, Muscles Everywhere

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study three different muscle types and investigate the affect of space travel on astronauts' muscles. They examine how exercise has a positive affect on muscle both on Earth and in space while looking at engineers' roles...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sedimentary Rocks

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders discuss the basic properties of rocks, the processes involved in the formation of soils, and the needs of plants provided by soil. They write descriptions in their Science journal and identify and discuss each type of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tectonic Plates, Earthquakes, and Volcanoes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Challenge geography classes to locate the major volcanoes and earthquake faults on a world map. In groups, they identify the pattern made and examine the relationship between the locations of the faults and volcanoes and tectonic plates....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore changes in water forms. In this water cycle lesson, 4th graders build a water cycle model and monitor it for 2 weeks in order to understand that water changes state as it moves through the cycle.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scrambled Eggs Anyone?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars listen to Nursery Rhymes highlighting GRAVITY, pull ropes during a Rope Pull Activity and even drop eggs from a height during a Gravity Contest. This is a fantastic lesson which highly motivates Students!
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analysis of Atmospheric Conditions for a High Mountain Retreat

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. They practice science and math in real world applications. They write reports detailing their scientific...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planting Seeds Around the World

For Teachers 1st
First graders discuss the book The Lorax and research what living things need. In this environmental instructional activity, 1st graders investigate how humans affect the growth of plants. Students conduct an experiment with sunflowers.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electronics: Wants or Needs?

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders determine how electronics negatively impact the environment. In this environmental instructional activity, 3rd graders read the article "Earth Friendly Waste Management", and identify how recycling impacts our environment....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a Home "Energy Efficient"?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students research and report the costs and benefits of making their own homes more energy efficient. In this energy conservation lesson, students explore energy efficient technologies and design over several days. They complete a home...