Curated OER
Observing Mars in the Night Sky
Students compare and contrast the orbits of Earth and Mars, locate the planet Mars, and diagram its retrograde motion.
Curated OER
Today's Weather on Mars
Students investigate the temperature and wind data locally, nationally, and internationally and compare these conditions to those on Mars. Conclusions are drawn about the differences of these conditions and the causes for the variance...
Curated OER
Mission Planning: Earth/Mars Comparisons
Students compare and contrast conditions on Mars to those on our own planet, specifically, their local or regional environments. The physical characteristics, the atmosphere, and other astronomical data is considered.
Curated OER
Life Beyond Earth
Students investigate the solar system and what makes a planet habitable. They complete an online Webquest, simulate a NASA training program online, take an online quiz, answer discussion questions, and locate newspaper articles about the...
Curated OER
Chemistry Far and Wide
In this chemistry learning exercise, high schoolers fill in 10 blanks with the appropriate term, they determine if 4 statements are true or false, they match 6 terms with their definitions and they answer 3 questions. Topics include...
Curated OER
Investigating Planetary Life
Young scholars research about the search for life in Mars. In this space science lesson, students develop a creative visual display of their findings. They present their project in class.
Curated OER
Asteroids!
Middle schoolers explore how to visually identify asteroids in SDSS images. They are able to explain that stars are so far away that they do not appear to move, even over the course of a human lifespan. Students identify the location...
Curated OER
Solar System and Planets
Students identify the main components of the solar system. For this earth science lesson, students order the planets according to their distances from the Sun. They differentiate planets from dwarf planets.
Curated OER
Modeling Martian Motion
Students explore the difference between stars and planets and take on the role of these objects to simulate the relative motions of Mars and the Earth around the Sun.
Curated OER
Recycling and Composting
Students set up composting sites that allow food scraps and paper to be recycled by nature. They are introduced to one aspect of recycling; composting. Students see how God recycles as the worms change garbage into something that brings...
Curated OER
Where Next?
Students read an article explaining NASA's possible Mars landing sites. They use the Internet to research Mars and the Module. They are able to submit their own proposals for a landing site after researching the planet.
PHET
Planet Designer: What’s Trending Hot?
Excite scholars to design their own planet in this first of five lessons. The instructional activity starts with a pre-activity assessment, a complete lesson plan that is easy to implement, and a post-activity assessment that would look...
Curated OER
Open-Ended Questions
Middle schoolers identify a topic for an open-ended question and evaluate the question. After developing ideas that lead to inquire, they investigate and research this topic on the Internet, and then create an iMovie.
Intel
Plugging into the Sun
What's cooking? A sizzling STEM unit challenges scholars to build a solar cooker that can successfully cook an egg. The unit opens with a study of Earth's rotation, the sun's energy, and shadows. Pupils use a compass and thermometer to...
Intel
Composting: Why Bother?
The first STEM lesson in a group of 10 explores composting. After discussing how to make a better tomorrow, classes are challenged to track garbage in their communities, visit a local waste management facility, and conduct a survey about...
Alabama Learning Exchange
There's Gold in Them There Hills
Need to build a laser fence on Mars? In this cute maximizing-area instructional activity, young explorers pretend to be prospectors on Mars and must determine the best way to use 20 meters of fencing in order to maximize their area. In...
Exploratorium
Soap Film Painting
If you are up for constructing a wooden frame, you can do this demonstration of the interference patterns when light reflects off of layers of soapy film. Both constructive and destructive interference can be seen as evidenced by the...
Curated OER
Mars: Off the Charts--Until You Put It There
Learners explore the night sky and make illustrations which are shared in class the next day. Distinctions are made between the stars and the planets and views of the constellations for the season are made available. The work of early...
Curated OER
Space the Next Frontier
Students examine the use of space as the frontier of the future. Using the colonist's experience coming to the New World, they identify challenges they would face if they were to settle in space. As a class, they share what they already...
Curated OER
Astronomy
Students complete a unit of lessons on our solar system, its stars, and astronomers. They record information in a space journal, design constellations, define key vocabulary, observe the phases of the moon, and create a group planet...
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
Reading and Listening for Information
Students practice their reading and listening skills in order to obtains accurate information. In preparation for a Moon, Mars, and Beyond Mission project, they read short stories about planet and moon mythology then answer questions...
Curated OER
South Pole Base Gamma
Young scholars design a South Pole base. In this science lesson, students discuss characteristics of the South Pole and work in a group to design a base that will be named "Gamma." Young scholars sketch their design.
Curated OER
Moon, Mars, and Beyond-Mission Briefing
Learners complete this introductory lesson in which they find out about the scenario for a simulated online space mission. They review vocabulary and complete a review sheet to reinforce the details of the mission and its goals.