+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Energy in the Round - Solar

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify and define terms related to solar energy by playing a class game. In this solar energy lesson, students use provided cards to play a class game. They read the "I have ... Who has" card relating to solar energy and the...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Our Solar System

For Students 7th - 9th
In this space science worksheet, students use the clues at the bottom of the sheet to solve the crossword puzzle on our solar system. They identify the different planets and their location in relation to the sun.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Daily and Seasonal Cycles

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify the sun as a source of heat and light. They identify features of houses that help keep use sheltered and comfortable throughout daily and seasonal cycles. Students are told that summer is the best season to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooking with the Sun!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars access prior knowledge of solar energy and understand that solar energy produces heat. In this solar cooker lesson, students complete grade appropriate experiments using the heat of the sun. Young scholars complete a...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let the Sun Shine!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how the sun can be used for energy. They read a handout, discuss the pros and cons of passive solar building design, develop flashcard questions, and identify jobs that can be helped by solar energy.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why is Summer Hot?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine how variations in temperature are due to the Sun and length of day.  In this solar lesson students complete a lab activity using thermometers and artificial sunlight to see how the earth is heated.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Activity: You're in Hot Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars study different ways of using solar energy. They design a solar water heater and determine how much water it can heat in a set amount of time. They examine how the heaters work by solar radiation and convection.
+
App
Lawrence Hall of Science

DIY Sun Science

For Students K - 8th
Get an up-close-and personal look at the sun from the safety of your classroom with this fun science application. Offering numerous activities, images, and videos, the resource supports children of all ages as they learn about the sun.
+
Activity
It's About Time

Impact Events and the Earth System

For Teachers 7th - 12th
What would happen to Earth if an asteroid struck it? Assist young scientists as they explore the mechanics of an impact event and effects caused by it; calculate the energy released once an asteroid strikes Earth's surface; and compare...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics

A Classroom Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Create a scaled model of our solar system in your classroom! Scholars work collaboratively to build paper mache planets and hang them in their proper position to showcase each planet's location in the solar system.   
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make a Solar Sill

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design a solar still and purify water.  In this earth process and design lesson, students observe how the heat of the sun helps to purify water. Students analyze why this could be helpful on a desert island.  Students record...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar Box Cooker

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore solar power. In this solar power activity, students build simple solar cookers after they study convection, conduction, and radiation. Students transfer their knowledge of how the solar cooker works to climate changes on...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth's Atmosphere and Temperature

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore the layers of earth's atmosphere and conduct an experiment to identify carbon dioxide. They construct models using styrofoam to represent molecules in the atmosphere's layers. To discover how sunlight efffects...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Power! Discovering the Power of Sunlight

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students estimate the energy output of the sun. They estimate how much power sunlight the sunlight provides to the earth. They build a simple device to measure the amount of solar radiation the earth receives from the sun.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Solar Energy Word Search

For Students 9th - 10th
In this word search instructional activity, students single out fifty words related to solar energy. Examples include spectrum, thermal, and focal point.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Amazing, Powerful Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine where energy comes from and how it can be used.  In this solar energy lesson students explore different aspects of the sun. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloudy vs. Clear

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students analyze line plots. In this weather lesson using real NASA data, students discuss how weather affects the way the Earth is heated by comparing different line plots.
+
Activity
It's About Time

The Sun and Its Effects on Your Community

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Why is the sun round? Examine this question, and others, with your pupils while teaching them how to live in a more earth-friendly environment. Pupils explore Sun composition and discuss how solar wind, sunspots, and solar energy affects...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Bill Nye Video: Earth's Seasons

For Students 4th - 8th
In this earth's seasons worksheet, students answer fill in the blank questions after seeing Bill Nye's video. Topics include the rotation of the earth around the sun, the tilt of the earth, the time zones and sunlight.
+
Lesson Plan
Messenger Education

My Angle on Cooling—Effect of Distance and Inclination

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
When exploring Mars, spacecrafts are exposed to 5-11 times more sunlight than when near Earth. Groups of pupils complete a hands-on activity to explore how distance and angle of the sun affect temperature. Through discussions, they then...
+
PPT
Biology Junction

Energy Flow in an Ecosystem

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Every living thing requires a food source, thus the interconnections in ecosystems become complex. Scholars learn about these interconnections in a presentation on energy flow. It starts with the sun and moves through many different...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

Exploring Seasonal Shadows and Sunlight

For Teachers 5th - 8th
What can shadows tell us about the changing season? Over several months, astronomy learners record length and position of an outdoor object's shadow, such as a flagpole. They apply the data to a growing hypothesis and note the patterns...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Science: travel

For Teachers 6th - 12th
In this earth science worksheet learners complete a series of multiple choice and short answer questions that includes solar radiation, temperature, porosity and rock formations. 
+
Unit Plan
1
1
NASA

The Science of the Sun

For Teachers K - 6th Standards
There's more to that glowing ball of light in sky than most children realize. From the overall structure of the solar system, to the changing of the seasons, these hands-on lessons open the eyes of young scientists to the important role...