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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In a Galaxy Far, Far, Far Away

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare distances between objects in the solar system. They investigate how light years are measured and when using them to measure how distances compare with one another. They write an essay exploring the possibility of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Day and Night

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the Earth's rotation and revolution and the moon's orbit around the Earth. They participate in a class discussion about how night and day occur, and take notes. Next, they watch a video about the solar system...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space and Science Fiction

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Use the Franklin Institute's exhibition "An Inquirer's Guide to the Universe" to have students research ideas for a science fiction story. After completing their research, writers will compose science fiction stories that incorporate...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth System Science

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars investigate the age of the earth by using accepted scientific methods. They conduct research about the use of radioactive dating and there is a simulation activity of the process. Finally, students measure the radioactive...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling the Big Bang and the Formation of the Universe

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders conduct an experiment to understand the Big Bang Theory.  In this Big Bang Theory lesson, 6th graders will observe a balloon with confetti popping to emulate and analyze information related tot he Big Bang theory....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbial Influence on Earth's Systems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Night Sky

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop questions they have about the solar system. After being read a book, they view and discuss different constellations in the sky. In groups, they are given a piece of butcher paper and glow in the dark crayons in...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Things Are Not Always What They Seem

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Science is magic that works. Magical color-changing beads and a coffee can that follows voice commands are just two examples of magic tricks that rely on science. After completing a hands-on activity and an experiment investigating the...
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Lesson Plan
National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network

Small Scale Stenciling: Mask Lab

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Investigate the procedure for developing computer chips! Learners use solar print paper to create both positive and negative images. They observe the effects of single and multiple exposures and compare results.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plotting Sunspot Activity

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore how to graph sunspots using a solar graph.  In this sunspots lesson students investigate sunspots and complete and evaluation worksheet. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decoding a Mystery Message from Space

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine a message sent from outer space and do their best to interpret its meaning. In this problem solving lesson, students investigate a code sent to them from "outer space." The students collaborate with their classmates to...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

The Dynamic Nature of the Sun

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
In this second lesson of the series, pupils learn to observe similarities and differences in photos of the sun and record them in a Venn diagram. Then, small groups practice the same skill on unique images before presenting their...
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Lesson Plan
PHET

Features of the Sun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
There are so many things to discover about the sun! Pupils discuss their knowledge of the sun, explore its features, apply their knowledge by labeling photographs, and then reflect on their learning by working in groups to draw and label...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How do plant & animal cells make and use energy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners show the relationship between the need for plants to undergo photosynthesis in order to generate oxygen. They see the flaws associated with this thinking because of the lack of CO2 and H2O and lack of sufficient gravity in order...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extraterrestrial Communication: Can We Talk to Anybody Out There?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the possibilities of communication with other living organisms within our solar system through research and hands on activities, as well as observing and analyzing teacher demonstrations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stellar Discoveries That Are Out of This World

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students hear of the recent discovery of a group of planets orbiting the star Upsilon Andromedae. Each student create a page about an element of the universe,
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Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

A New Slant On The Seasons

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students identify how the tilt and position of the Earth causes the seasons. After a discussion of the seasons and when they begin. Using themselves as the objects in the universe, they role play how the rotational movement of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Big Bang Theory

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students will use scientific reasoning to formulate ideas about the formation of the universe using the Big Bang Theory. The use of critical thinking skills is part of the activity and the foundation of the scientific method will serve...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth Systems Science

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students perform experiments designed to grow plants and bacteria in a controlled environment.  In this ecosystems lesson students investigate varying conditions for growing plants and bacteria. 
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Lesson Plan
PHET

CME Plotting

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Young scientists build on their previous knowledge and apply it to coronal mass ejections. By plotting the path of two different coronal mass ejections, they develop an understanding of why most don't collide with Earth.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Show Me the Way To Go Home

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers place a pencil perpendicular to the ground and trace its shadow between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM. They measure the length of the shadow, periodically over several hours, in either English or Metric units. Using the data,...
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Lesson Plan
NASA

Earth, Earth’s Moon, Mars Balloons

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Very specific diameters are given for blowing up three different balloons to represent, in scale, the moon, Earth, and Mars. In groups of three, amateur astronomers explore scale measurements and distance in space.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Expanding Children's Geographic and Economic Worlds

For Teachers K - 1st
Students learn their addresses and gain a sense of connection between their neighborhood and the rest of the world and the universe.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Your Address in the Galaxy

For Teachers K - 8th
Students create a business card after researching their location in space and determining their Galactic Address.