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Anza and Font in Search of Latitude
This is an integrated lesson that incorporates Social Studies, Science, and Mathematics. In Social Studies, 7th graders complete an online interview and complete an online worksheet about latitude of sites on the Anza trail. In Science...
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Solar System: Let's Take a Trip
Third graders consider outer space. In this introductory solar system lesson plan, 3rd graders complete a KWL chart and listen to the story The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System, by Joanna Cole & Bruce Degen. They will...
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Planet Interiors
Young scholars compare and contrast the Earth's interior with 2 other planets by looking at images on the computer. In this planet interiors lesson plan, students write a paper about their findings.
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The Milky Way and Beyond
Students consider the scale of the Milky Way Galaxy. In this Milky Way lesson, students hypothesize the length of time necessary to cross the Milky Way.
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Stellar Magnitudes
Learners analyze the stellar magnitude scale. In this stellar magnitude instructional activity, students examine the stellar magnitude scale. Learners predict the Sun's magnitude from various planets.
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Exploring the Planets
Sixth graders explore the planets through an interactive web site. In this astronomy based lesson, 6th graders compare planets, explore comets, and discover planet facts through a variety of activities provided by the Smithsonian Museum.
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Star Child Astronomy
Young scholars gain understanding of the relationship of Earth within the Solar System. They increase knowlegde of the planets, sun, moon, meteoroids, asteroids and comets.
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Use of Lasers
Students explore the use of lasers. For this "lasers" science and career education lesson, students search the Internet to find uses for lasers and make a list of companies that use or produce lasers. Students complete a lasers and...
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Sky Watching
Students complete night-sky observations to understand how our knowledge of the sky has been enhanced by telescopes. Students complete a timeline worksheet giving the history of telescopes. Students then then make their own observations...
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On Our Own- Surviving on Another Planet
Students investigate current models for Lunar and Martian settlements and study the mathematics behind these designs. They design their own Lunar or Martian settlement with an explanation of why their model would work best.
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How Can the Little Moon Hide the Giant Sun? Exploring Size and Distance
Students compare two objects at different distances. They explore the concept that distance affects how we perceive the size of objects.
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Gravity Launch
Students use an online interactive to launch a rocket from earth. They have control over the angle and thrust of the rocket to discover the relationship between the two.
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How Do Things Fall?
Students study forces by examining the force of gravitational attraction. They observe how objects fall and measure the force of gravitational attraction upon objects. Students discover that, since gravitational constants are different...
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Gravity Versus The Mighty Egg - Biology Teaching Thesis
Learners are able to describe the principles of gravity. They name other places in the real world where we compensate for gravity. Students design a shock absorber with limited materials and explain how it works to protect an egg. They...
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Mass, Volume, and Weight
Students explore mass, volume, and weight. For this science and measurement lesson, students compare volume, mass, and weight after listening to the teacher's description of each. Students explore different scales and balances and...
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Night Sky
Students discover why stars can only be seen at night. They participate in a read aloud of, "Night Sky" by Carole Stott and, "Switch on the Night" by Ray Bradbury. Using the sky objects described in the readings, they brainstorm and list...
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Solar and Lunar Eclipses
Young scholars complete a WebQuest in order to better explain solar and lunar eclipses. They observe images and videos of eclipses from around the world.
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Where Is Saturn in the Solar System? Where Am I in the Solar System?
Students engage in a solar system activity, In this activity, students will read aloud as a class about the solar system. The students will then listen to the teacher read a solar system book prior to filling out a worksheet about...
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Being Nosy About Our Neighbors
Students use the scientific method to explore the effect of size on impact cratering. They compare images of landforms on Earth to those of other planets to compare surface processes. Students infer the geologic history of another...
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How Do We Explore Strange Environments?
Students identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features to...
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New Year Celebrations Around the World
Students share their New Year's traditions, then read a news article about how people around the world celebrate the start of a new year. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary...
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Weight A Minute
Students watch a video and engage in hands-on activities which introduce scientific information made real through re-cognition and understanding the phenomena of gravitational force and how it impacts life on our planet.
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Ask an Astronaut
Students read what questions have already been asked from the archives. They then categorize what is already known (each student should be able to give a question which has already been asked and answered), what they would like to know,...
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"Space" Investigations
Sixth graders understand the patterns of change observable on Earth as a result of the movement of the different bodies in the solar system. They identify the physical characteristics of the different components of the solar system.