Curated OER
Puzzling Planets
Students examine the concept of a solar system. In this research based activity, students compare a star and a planet. They explain the requirements for life in a biosphere.
Curated OER
Earth Science: The Structure of the Earth
Young scholars identify and complete activities about the structure of the Earth. In this Earth structure lesson plan, students view a Powerpoint about the Earth's layers and complete a diagram. young scholars compare temperatures in the...
Curated OER
Solar System and Planets
Learners identify the main components of the solar system. In this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.
Curated OER
The Water Planet
Students use NASA photographs and hands-on activities to compare the amounts of land and water on our planet. They discover that the world has five oceans and that they cover seventy percent of Earth's surface. Students learn how this...
Curated OER
Microbial Influence on Earth's Systems
Students identify the different biogeochemical cycles on Earth. In this biology lesson, students observe microbes under a microscope. They compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.
Curated OER
Earth's Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere
Students investigate the magnitude of Earth's magnetic field using PASCO. For this physics lesson, students describe the features of the magnetosphere. They explain how atmosphere layers protect the Earth.
Curated OER
Could the Solar System have Ten Planets?
Students react to statements about the solar system, then read a news article about a recently discovered object that could be another planet. In this space science and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the lesson with a...
Curated OER
View of a Comet from Earth
Students investigate comets. In this space science activity, students study overhead transparencies of the orbits of Earth and a comet. Students identify various locations and times where comets would be visible from Earth.
Curated OER
Planet Zorcon
Students relate the geography and economics of Utah. In this geography lesson plan, students log their use of resources both natural and synthetic. Students participate in an experiment to understand how the Earth will be in the future...
Curated OER
The Living Earth
Students discuss glaciers and write a definition for a glacier as a class. After discussion, they participate in an activity that demonstrates how glaciers can cause dramatic changes and create new landforms. Groups discuss their...
Curated OER
Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons
Students demonstrate size and orbits of Earth, Moon, and Mars. In this space science lesson plan, students will use balloons to show how the size and distance between the planets and satellite compare.
Curated OER
Planetary Surface Evolution and Resurfacing
Learners are provided with drawings of planet surfaces in order to investigate different types of planetary terrain. They make observations for each planet and discuss the characteristics observed. The lesson includes background...
University of Colorado
Terra Bagga
Earth's magnetic poles switch positions about every 200,000—300,000 years. In the activity, groups create a planet with a magnetic field. Once made, they use a magnetometer to determine the orientation of the planet's magnetic field....
University of Colorado
Terra Bagga
One way to identify possible volcanic activity on other planets is by testing the planet for magnetism. A science lesson begins with pupils constructing their own planet from a dead battery, magnets, paper, and tape before labeling...
Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Space Travel Guide
Looking to take a trip? Why not go to space? Here, scholars take on the role as travel agent to create a guide to their favorite planet including travel tips and sightseeing recommendations.
Journey Through the Universe
Our Solar System
Take your class on a journey through our solar system. Learners explore each planet, from Mercury to Pluto, and discuss various features that differentiate one from another. They complete activities related to the topics and discuss the...
Space Awareness
The Engine of Life
There is a specific zone, or distance from a star, that a planet must be in order to have water in a liquid form. The activity demonstrates how flux density depends on its distance from the source. A photovoltaic cell gets power to...
Polar Trec
Where is the World's Water?
Scholars discover the amount of the Earth's water in various locations such as the ocean, ice, the atmosphere, etc. They then make a model of the how much water those percentages represent. Finally, analysis questions bring the concepts...
Space Awareness
Day and Night in the World
How do different parts of the world experience day and night? Introduce scholars to the concept of global citizenship while teaching about animal behavior with discussion of nocturnal and diurnal animals. Then, learners complete...
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Plate Tectonics
Young scholars observe a presentation on plate tectonics, layers of the earth, and plate boundaries. They then use the Internet to research major plates and label them on a world map.
Science 4 Inquiry
The Impact of the Sun and Moon on Tides
In 150 BC, Seleucus of Seleucia theorized that the moon causes the tides. Scholars learn about what causes tides by studying the interactions of gravity between the sun, moon, and Earth. They use technology to formalize otherwise...
Groundwater Foundation
How Wet Is Our Planet?
Here's a powerful demonstration that makes the point that it is everyone's responsibility to conserve water and protect the earth's limited supply of fresh water.
Curated OER
Mercury, Venus, and Earth
Students learn information about the planets Mercury, Venus, and Earth by playing a trivia game.
Curated OER
Planets in Balance
Students study the solar system by researching the planets. In this exploratory lesson plan students divide into teams and create mobiles.