+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Cloud in a Bottle

For Teachers K - 5th
Students look at how clouds form. In this cloud lesson, students make a cloud using water,  2 liter bottles and a match. They watch how the pressure and temperature changes the atmosphere in the bottle to create a cloud. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Vegetation, Precipitation, and Surface Temperature to Study Climate Zones

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers begin their examination of the climate zones found around the world. Using a software program, they identify the relationship between the vegetation, climate and temperatures of the different zones. They also plot...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Barging Along

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students create a barge. In this technological design activity, students use modeling clay to create a barge to hold marbles. Students make their barge then test it to see how many marbles it will hold. Students discuss why their design...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricane Frequency and Intensity

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine hurricanes. In this web-based meteorology lesson, students study the relationship between ocean temperature and hurricane intensity. They differentiate between intensity and frequency of hurricanes.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yellowstone Fires

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students assume the role of environmental biologists and help several government agencies resolve the debate surrounding "let it burn" policies in national parks.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Watershed Lesson Plan

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners are introduced to the concepts of a watershed, stream flow and water quality. This five-day plan is an excellent way to introduce students to the concepts involved. They create their own watershed using a paper bag, water and...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather, Sea Level Rise and Climate Change

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders compare and contrast weather and climate. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders research weather data site and analyze historical data. They present their findings in class and explain identifiable trends.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Lake Effect

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders conduct an experiment demonstrating the effects of water and air temperature on precipitation. They create graphs demonstrating their findings using Claris Works for Kids.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Salt Water Connection

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars explore the hydrological cycle and oceans. They determine the factors that influence the Pacific Ocean. Students research an organism found in Monterey Bay. They describe the organism's biome and ecological factors that...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Cloud Formation

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students view a demonstration that simulates cloud formation. They read a poem about clouds, participate in a class demonstration using warm water and ice and write a paragraph summarizing their observations.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Station Models

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students work in groups to interpret weather maps. They use latitude and longitude readings to complete a worksheet together and turn in the worksheet along with the maps and a rubric.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fossil Fuels, Who Needs Them

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders explore how electricity is created and distributed through alternative production methods. Students participate in hands-on activities, research, lecture based instruction, and CD ROM resources.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth System Science

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners explore the Earth and its ability to support life. They discuss the geosphere and the water cycle and complete the Water Wonders activity. After completing the activity, they respond in their journals and reflect upon the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Historic Earth Science Innovations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners research the demands or limitations on Earth scientists. In groups, they design and build a model that would be useful to them in the lab or field. They share their model and their ideas behind it to the class and answer any...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Circle the Earth - Explore Surface Types on a Journey around Earth

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students use CERES percent coverage surface data with a world map in locating landmasses and bodies of water at Earth's Equator.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Databases

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners complete a unit on clouds and a report about one type of cloud. They collect data through observation about different types of cloud cover and then create a spreadsheet to reflect their observations over a 2 week period.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating a Thematic Map Using S'COOL Data

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students observe weather patterns, collect data, and make a weather predictions for various locations on a map.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloud Shadows

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students classify clouds as transparent, translucent or opaque. They conduct an experiment to determine the visual opacity of several classroom objects and then conduct further observations of clouds.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Estimating Altitude of Water Cloud Base

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students conduct an experiment to determine dew point and use a formula to detemine altitude. They construct a chart and predict what altitude clouds would form, given the dew point on the ground.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea Surface Temperature Trends of the Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils use authentic satellite data to produce plots and graphs of sea surface temperature as they explore the seasonal changes of the Gulf Stream.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hurricane Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use Internet and/or library resources to locate and record information about hurricanes on a worksheet..
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea Surface Temperature Trends of the Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the importance of the Gulf Stream. Using a NASA satellite images, they examine the sea surface temperature. Students collect the temperature at various locations and times. Using spreadsheet technology, they graph the...
+
Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Elementary Globe: Earth System in a Bottle

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
If you have seeds at home, try this activity to help kids learn what a seed needs to grow. Learners will create experimental conditions in terrariums to study what plants need to live. They will learn about the importance of the...
+
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,...