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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Shadow Knows

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders examine the relationship between light and the angle it strikes objects. In groups, they shine light from a flashlight on different objects and describe how it affects the shadow. To end the lesson, they complete a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canned Heat

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners demonstrate that light and dark colored objects absorb the sun's radiation at different rates. They experiment with the temperature change of water in two locations and discuss the results.
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Worksheet
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Radiation from Space

For Students 9th - 12th
In this radiation worksheet, high schoolers review the different types of radiation waves that come from space and the different telescopes used to detect this radiation. This worksheet has 17 true or false questions.
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Lesson Plan
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Jell-O Optics

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students observe an activity with Jell-O to learn about optics.  For this investigative lesson students fill out a handout on the activity that helps them to investigate the index of refraction and the speed of light. 
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Lesson Plan
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A Brand New Day

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students locate Maine on a classroom map and discuss if Maine is where the nation's first light is found, where would the nation's last light be seen. They explore the idea of the sun rising in the east and setting in the west.
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Lesson Plan
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Harnessing Solar Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars identify the properties of light from the sun. In groups, they participate in experiments with solar collectors, cookers and calculators to determine which one harnesses the most energy. They record their observations...
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Lesson Plan
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Solar Energy: Become a Sun Chef!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Pupils design and construct a solar cooker. They use the Internet to research solar collectors and the process of changing light energy into heat energy.
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Lesson Plan
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Is It Lunar or Lunacy?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders are introduced to the moon and its phases. Individually, they draw a sketch of each phase of the moon and read a short article about Galileo. To end the lesson, they examine the difference between refracting and...
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Lesson Plan
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Modeling Day and Night

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students complete a science experiment to study the role of night and day on sleep patterns. In this sleep patterns lesson, students brainstorm about night and day and the causes for the rotations on Earth. Students work in groups to...
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Lesson Plan
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The Fog Won't Cloud Your Artist's Eye

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine art that shows some type of weather event. After watching two filmstrips on weather, they create a fog picture of themselves and read about lighting and thunder. They paint pictures in the style of five artists they have...
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Lesson Plan
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Charting the Moon

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders observe changes in the moon's appearance over a month and keep records of their observations. They write a plan for recording what they see, and a paragraph reflecting on what they have learned over the course of the month.
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Lesson Plan
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Is Your Blue Really Blue? [Metamerism]

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine color perception and how it relates to metamerism.  For this color lesson students complete a lab activity that shows them the three basic components of color perception. 
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Lesson Plan
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The Geometry of Real Images

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this math worksheet, students read the examples for using the techniques of mathematical modeling. They draw the angles in order to simulate the reflection of light while using a concave mirror.
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Lesson Plan
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20/20 Vision

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students determine their own eyesight and calculate what a good average eyesight value for the class would be. They examine how technology enhances eyesight and how engineers play an important role in the development of these technologies.
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Lesson Plan
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The Sky Jeopardy

For Teachers 1st
First graders reinforce concepts about sun, moon, day, night and sky by playing the Sky Jeopardy game. In the end, 1st graders get to nibble crackers in order to show the different phases of the moon.
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Lesson Plan
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Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore water. In this water lesson, students explore the physical properties and states of water. They observe how water changes states and document what they see.
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Lesson Plan
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Chemistry: Classifying Materials

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students classify materials. In this chemistry lesson, students examine the properties of solids, liquids, and gases. Students discover the elements, compounds, and chemical symbols.
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Lesson Plan
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Newton's Color Wheels

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the effects of light while experimenting with several color wheels. They make observations and record them. The information from the observations is used to help fuel the discussion that follows. The lesson includes...
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Lesson Plan
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Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Learners create a paper model of a plasmid and insert a DNA molecule that contains a specific gene into the plasmid. They complete an actual transformation involving E. coli bacterium and relate the two activities to one another.
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Worksheet
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Mineral Identification

For Students 7th - 9th
In this mineral identification worksheet, students match 10 terms to their definitions. Terms include types of minerals, tests and characteristics of minerals. They write down the tests used to identify an unknown mineral and they fill...
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Lesson Plan
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Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the concepts.
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Lesson Plan
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Keeping Warm When it is Cold: How does a polar bear keep warm?

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students make a model of a polar bear and discuss why fur/skin color is important. They also perform a simple experiment using black and white socks to determine how color affects temperature.
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Lesson Plan
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Mixing Colors

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students understand why we see various colors. In this mixing colors lesson, students experiment with different food coloring to explore how colors are made. Students record on a data sheet the colors they see.
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Lesson Plan
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Solar S’Mores

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students use the energy of the sun to make s'mores. In this solar energy lesson, students gather the listed materials and follow the procedures to find out if they can make s'mores using solar energy.