CK-12 Foundation
Satellites, Shuttles, and Space Stations: Satellites in Orbit
Blast off! How do satellites, space shuttles, and space stations escape Earth's gravity and achieve orbit? Young astronauts study rocket science (literally) with an interactive lesson. They discover the four main uses for satellites, how...
National Park Service
Reduce Our Carbon Footprint, Let’s Compost!
Roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty with this elementary and middle school compost lesson. All you need is a large plastic container, a couple old newspapers, some organic waste, and a few hundred worms and you're ready to start...
Curated OER
Discovery Science Library: The Basics Physical Science
Young scholars examine friction and gravity. affect four sports. In this scientific discovery lesson, students examine how friction and gravity affect sports. They discuss, write, and illustrate the effect of different forces on various...
Curated OER
Weather Forecasting: From Then to Now
Eighth graders review the history of weather forecasting. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders identify the different tools used in forecasting weather. They explain why it's important to know the weather.
Curated OER
Could a World of Swimmers Raise Sea Level?
High schoolers determine the volume of water they displace. In this earth science instructional activity, students calculate the total water displaced by the world's population. They evaluate whether or not this value is enough to raise...
Curated OER
Round and Round-The Water Cycle
Students explore the water cycle. In this earth science lesson, students work in small groups to read various books on the water cycle and take notes on chart paper. Students share their notes and teach a younger audience what they have...
Curated OER
Sun and Earth
Students explore the sun, its structure, how big it is and how far away it is. In this solar system lesson plan students complete a lab activity on dew point and weather.
Curated OER
When Earth Fails: How Earth?s Physical Changes Cause Natural Disasters
Students examine natural disasters and some safety measures that should be followed. In this natural disaster instructional activity students write a narrative, and research safety procedures.
Curated OER
Meteors
Learners identify the different types of meteorite using an interactive website. In this earth science lesson, students simulate how meteors crash on a surface. They relate meteor size to crater size.
Curated OER
Introduction to Earth Sun Relationships Incorporating P.E.
Third graders investigate space science by performing physical activities. In this solar system lesson, 3rd graders perform a relay activitiy with their class in which they race between different "planets". Students define space...
Curated OER
Volcanoes
Students explore the formation of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students build their own volcanoes in the lab using different materials. They identify the different types of volcanoes.
Curated OER
How Many Days Are in a Year?
Students create a calendar for an imaginary planet. In this earth science lesson plan, students analyze the errors on the different calendars used on Earth. They present their work in class.
Curated OER
Ozone: The Earth's Security Blanket
Students work in groups to define and research the terms: ozone, troposphere and stratosphere. Students watch videos, conduct Internet research, participate in discussion groups and complete worksheets.
Teach Engineering
Weather Basics
Weather — there's more to it than meets the eye of the storm. With this resource young meteorologists learn about the basics of weather, including information about the factors that influence the weather, common weather vocabulary, and...
Curated OER
Hawaiian Hot Spots
Students describe how plate tectonics contribute to the development of volcanoes. In this earth science lesson, students examine the map of Hawaii and explore the physical and biological environment there. They write a story about an...
Curated OER
Exploring the Water Cycle
The water cycle is one of earth's most easily observable processes, but demonstrating each step within classroom walls can be a challenge. Through a series of videos and quick demonstrations, cover each aspect of the hydrologic cycle in...
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Section Three: What's the Status of Biodiversity?
Biodiversity is essential for every habitat, but many species are at risk due to pollution and other factors. Explore several different species native to Illinois in a gallery walk with posters that learners have created after research...
Curated OER
Weather Instruments
Third graders practice making predictions about weather from conditions they observe on weather instruments and weather reports. Learners are introduced to the most basic weather reporting instruments: the thermometer, the wind vane, the...
Federal Reserve Bank
Lesson 2: In the Aftermath
Don't wait for a crisis to get your finances together. An economics lesson demonstrates the importance of understanding crucial documents, banking basics, and financial tools with the focus on Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and its effects.
Curated OER
Earth Energy Budget Pre Lab
Learners explore energy by conducting an in class experiment. In this climate change lesson, students conduct a water vapor experiment in a soda bottle. Learners utilize graphs and charts to analyze the results of the experiment and help...
Curated OER
Cooler in the Shadows
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow lesson, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun and Earth and...
Curated OER
Cloud Identification
Students study types of clouds. For this earth science lesson, students read the book The Cloud Book. Students use photos to examine each type of cloud and visit suggested websites.
Curated OER
Clouds
Students explore basic cloud types and the weather associated with each one. In this earth science lesson, students participate in numerous activities including going outside to observe the clouds they see, making a cloud in a jar,...
Curated OER
Measuring Cloud Coverage
Students explore Earth science by completing weather symbol worksheets. In this cloud identification activity, students identify the different types of clouds in the sky and how they are formed. Students complete a cloud measurement...