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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Altitude Tracking

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners estimate the altitude of a rocket during several flights. They create their own altitude tracking devise. They examine and discuss their results at the end of the activity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Algebra: Mirror, Mirror on the Universe

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students assess how algebra, telescopes, space exploration and optics are so important in astronomy. They encounter studies on the Hubble Space Telescope, Hubble Deep Field and how algebra helps to determine the effects of contamination...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can an Astronaut on Mars Distinguish Earth from its Moon?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the possibility of being on Mars and being able to identify the Earth.  In this space lesson plan students complete a set of calculations to see if this is possible. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining the Altitude of Iridium Flares

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine what iridium flares are and when they occur.  In this iridium flare lesson students complete an activity to see how far overhead Iridium satellites are.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Searching for life

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students explore the possibility of life on Mars and what that might look like.  In this planetary lesson students complete several activities on looking for life on Mars. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When a Ruler is Too Short

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars measure distances using parallax. In this math lesson, students explain how this method helped astronomers with their studies of the solar system. They determine the length of their arm using parallax and compare it with...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Color and Spectrum

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the spectra of light sources that have similar colors.  In this light lesson students complete an activity using various lights in the classroom and discuss the colors and the heat generated. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining Center of Gravity

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners complete calculations involving the structure and properties of matter. They engage in a variety of problem solving activities to help them determine the center of gravity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Determining Center of Gravity

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students complete calculus calculations involving the structure and properties of matter and determining the center of gravity.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Frequency, Roy G. Biv?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the concept of frequency and wavelength. They analyze how frequency and wavelength relate to each other by conducting an experiment involving measuring and timing wavelengths by pulling adding machine tape through an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High Mountain Retreat

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners explore and analyze atmospheric conditions for a high mountain retreat. They examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. In addition, they write reports...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Currents and Sea Surface Temperature

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students use satellite data to explore sea surface temperature. They explore the relationship between the rotation of the Earth, the path of ocean current and air pressure centers. After studying maps of sea surface temperature and ocean...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Program Your Partner

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students explore the world of robotics. In this robotics lesson, students study the history of robots and work with partners to find out how hard it is to accurately guide robots through simple tasks.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Comet Model and Eat It!

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Young scholars construct a comet model based on procedure provided. In this space science lesson, students compare the physical properties of comets to the models they made. They record their observations and share them with the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Length of the Day

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate how the Earth's rotation affect the length of day. In this earth science lesson, students construct a sighting apparatus and record their observations over a few days. They analyze data collected and formulate a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indirectly Direct

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Student form and test hyptheses using indirect and direct observation. They launch marbles to determine the shape of a hidden object.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tag, You're Sick

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students play a game to model how the immune system works. In this health and wellness instructional activity, the teacher explains how the immune system works, then students play a game of tag trying to stay away from germs, viruses,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MAPPING THE TOPOGRAPHY OF UNKNOWN SURFACES

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students describe in words and graphic displays the elevation or depression profile of sections of Mars' Olympus Mons and/or Valles Marineris. They explain how orbiting spacecraft build up global maps one data slice at a time.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Craters

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore parts of an impact crater and compare and contrast craters found in Earth, the Moon, and Mars. Crater formation is modelled and the relationship of mass, velocity, and size of the projectile to the crater formation is...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lift and Launch Angle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students engage in a hands-on experiment to determine how launch angles affect airflow around the wing of an aircraft. They view a series of photographs and read information describing the Wright Brothers' experiences. They complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

3-2-1 Pop!

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore rocketry and demonstrate how rocket liftoff is an application of Newton's Laws of Motion. They construct a rocket powered by the pressure generated from an effervescing antacid tablet reacting with water.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Altitude Tracking

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students construct simple altitude tracking devices for determining the altitude a rocket reaches in its flight. They estimate the altitude a rocket achieves during flight.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientist Tracking Network

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students correlate surface radiation with mean surface temperature of several geographic regions. They observe how these parameters change with latitude and construct an understanding of the relationship of solar radiation to seasonal...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Carbon Monoxide and Population Density

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders investigate the carbon monoxide level at a fixed latitude to determine if there is a relationship to population density. They download data sets and generate a graph, and find locations using the Earth's coordinate system....