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Antarctica
Students explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.
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MARS Dead or Alive
Students describe the design and construction of the Mars Exploration Rovers (MERs). They imagine that they can visit Mars and think about what they want to find out about the planet. The review the solar system and discuss distances...
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What's Up? Astronomy Curriculum
Students study astronomy. In preparation for a field trip to a planetarium, students discuss the stars, planets, and light. They explore the importance of the north star and constellations. The Digitarium system is used to assist the...
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Hello, Anybody Out There?
Students understand that people believe there may be life in other solar systems. In this communication with other solar systems instructional activity, students analyze our planet and write things they want to communicate to other solar...
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Star Systems
Students study a star system and see how the planets move around stars. In this star system lesson students complete an activity and see what an eclipse is.
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Lunar Language
Students use a Lunar Language Graphic Organizer to draw and describe the phases of the moon. They explain patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits Earth.
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Kepler and his Laws
Students examine Kepler's Laws. They confirm Kepler's 3rd law by comparing orbital periods and mean distances for all major planets and study conic sections, qualitatively.
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The Lunar and Terrestrial Tug of War
Fourth graders, in groups, locate, comprehend, interpret, and evaluate information about celestial bodies that influence ocean tides on Earth. They apply this information through graphic representations.
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Introduction to Geology Quiz Worksheet
In this earth science fill-in-the-blank worksheet pupils complete 8 questions about an geology. They see a picture of a rock and a volcano on the page. They check their work with the word bank at the bottom of the page.
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Volcanoes!
Students define what a volcano is. They discover where and why volcanoes occur. They study effects of volcanoes on the Earth system.
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Are we alone? Do aliens exist?
Students discuss the existence of aliens in the universe. In this alien lesson, students discuss the answers to the questions: What are the chances that aliens exist in the universe? and What are the chances that aliens have visited earth?
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Star Child Astronomy
Students 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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The Heat is On
Pupils investigate climate change. In this current events lesson, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the effects of greenhouse gases on the Earth. Pupils discuss how to combat the negative effects of...
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Spaced Out
Students explore the transit of Venus and the information that this minieclipse provides about the distance between the Earth and the sun. They create their own astronomical units.
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Melts in Your Bag, Not in Your Hands
Learners study how the sun transfers heat to the earth through radiation. They examine how animals absorb energy from the sun to warm their bodies by experiment with chocolate melting. They examine sun safety.
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Geometry of Exploration: Eyes Over Mars
Students research how engineers and scientists generate linear and angular measurements with geometry to survey the Earth and Mars. They assess how geometric shapes affect navigation. A surveyor comes to the classroom and explains how he...
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What do You Know about Jupiter Already
Young scholars explore information about the planet Jupiter. In this Jupiter activity, students answer questions to find out how much they know about Jupiter. Young scholars research using a website.
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Stellar Magnitudes
Students analyze the stellar magnitude scale. In this stellar magnitude lesson, students examine the stellar magnitude scale. Students predict the Sun's magnitude from various planets.
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Where Are All the Fish?
Students identify the problems that marine life is facing today. In this marine science lesson, students explain how Marine Protected Areas can help the ocean and the fish. They brainstorm ways to help in the conservation effort.
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A Multicultural Study: Chinese New Year
Learners study the customs and beliefs of the Chinese people as they experience Chinese New Year; students become aware that they live on one planet but their festivals and holidays vary.
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Solid Waste and Our Natural Resources: Utilizing the Story THE LORAX
Young scholars gain an introduction to our planet's solid waste problem and our personal responsibility in curbing and solving said problem through the use of Dr. Seuss' book, The Lorax. After hearing the book, class discussion follows.
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Daisyworld: Stella Mac or PC
Students investigate Daisyworld, a very simple planet that has only two species of life on its surface - white and black daisies, and bare ground. They construct a Stella model of Daisyworld and perform guided experiments to explore the...
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Are Nanobacteria Alive: Sample Socratic Questions
Students comprehend the definition and uniqueness of life and its complexities. They examine what characteristics constitute a living organism. Students recognize the extent of the role nanobacteria play in the movement and molding of...
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Climate Change
Students explore environmental care by researching the impact of human beings on our planet. For this climate change lesson, students utilize the Internet to read informational text about climate change and the effect it will have on our...