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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

X-ray Spectroscopy and the Chemistry of Supernova Remnants

For Teachers 9th - 12th
This link takes you to a comprehensive unit that delves into emission spectra and supernovas. There are four parts: How and where elements are created, electromagnetic radiation, spectroscopy, and the newest technology for studying our...
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Unit Plan
NASA

States of Matter

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Water, one of the basic needs of humans, is found in all three states of matter on Earth; no other planet—that we know of—possesses this quality. Here is a unit that allows learners to explore through experimentation what it...
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Lesson Plan
Space Science Institute

The "All American" Eclipse Guide

For Students 3rd - 12th
Are you ready for the biggest astronomical event of the year? More importantly ... are you ready to share it with your scholars? Use a presentation filled with facts and diagrams to make sure everyone in class understands the importance...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Spaced Out

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils explore the transit of Venus and the information that this minieclipse provides about the distance between the Earth and the sun. They create their own astronomical units.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets in Proportion

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners apply estimation strategies and proportional reasoning to determine a scale comparing the planetary bodies to Earth. They convert measurements of time and distance using scientific notation. Both the metric and customary units...
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Activity
Center for Math and Science Education

Solar System Launch

For Teachers 4th - 8th Standards
Trying to understand the vastness of outer space can be quite a challenge for young scientists. Help put things in perspective with this cross-curricular activity as students work in pairs creating scaled models of...
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Activity
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Center for Math and Science Education

Pocket Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 8th Standards
How in the world can something as big as the solar system possibly fit in your pocket? Complete this simple modeling activity and find out, as young scientists gain an appreciation for the incredible scale of outer space.
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Unit Plan
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2
NASA

Space-Based Astronomy on the Internet

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Young scientists compile everything they have learned into a report in the fifth and final lesson in a unit on the visible light spectrum. Access to photos from observatories, telescopes, and satellites allows learners to compare...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Distance Activity

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students examine the distances between the Sun, planets, and smaller objects in the Solar System. They design a model using beads that shows the scale distances of the Solar System using astronomical units converted into a 10 centimeter...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WebQuest Solar System Colonization Project 2000

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders complete a WebQuest to study the names and locations of the planets in the solar system. They investigate the causes of the seasons and the distance between the planets using astronomical units. They use technology to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System Bead Distance Activity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a scaled solar system model using colorful beads. In this space science lesson, students convert AU units into metric measurements. They arrange the planets according to their distances from the sun.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WebQuest Solar System Colonization Project 2000

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the livability of different planets in the universe by researching and organizing information from a number of sources in this unit project. They decide on a location for a space station which they support in an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomical Scales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers describe the different units of measurement. In this space science lesson, students calculate astronomical distances using a scale. They explain the significance of using scientific notation in expressing very small...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can You Walk a Mile With My Foot?

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the measurement of a foot as a customary unit. They take part in a series of activities to help them acquire skills of using a foot to compare other units of measurement. The teacher...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The North (Wall) Star

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson which shows them that celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects - sun,...
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Model of a Black Hole

For Students 3rd - 7th
Even light cannot leave the force of a black hole! Learners use a model to explore the gravitational force of a black hole. An elastic bandage and heavy ball serve to create the hole, while marbles become the victims of its strong force.
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Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Britannia Rule the Waves

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Could you determine longitude based on measuring time? Early explorers used a longitude clock to do just that. Scholars learn about early exploration and the importance of the invention of the clock. Then pupils build their own longitude...
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Lesson Plan
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Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

Planetary Distances on the Playground

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
There's no need to stay inside; get out of the classroom and create a scaled map of the solar system on your playground field! In collaborative groups, scholars identify the distance between the sun and other planets, place planet...
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Lesson Plan
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University of Colorado

Planetary Distances on the Playground

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Earth is 149,600,000 km, or 92,957,130.4 miles, from the sun. Young astronauts create an interactive model to learn the distances between planets. Nine groups, each representing a different planet, are spread around at class-calculated...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Image Processing in the Classroom

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders determine how scientists study the universe and particular astronomical objects using Internet research, images and NIH software. They work in groups to examine and use imaging software as they study astronomical objects.
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Integrating Science and Literature: Life as We Knew It

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Supplement your science units with science fiction novels!
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eratosthenes

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars examine what Eratosthenes is and the history behind him.  In this earth instructional activity students complete a hands on activity to repeat Eratosthenes' experiment.
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Lesson Plan
University of Texas

Lives of Stars

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Stars exist from a few million years to over 10 billion years, depending on their mass. Scholars perform a play acting as stars to learn about their different life cycles. They develop an understanding of many of the fundamental concepts...
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Activity
It's About Time

The History and Scale of the Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Take scientists beyond our earthly reach and into the solar system. Pupils create a model of the solar system and discuss strengths and weaknesses of their model. They calculate distances in light years, discuss the nebular theory, and...