+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Explore the Characteristics of Stars with Microsoft WorldWide Telescope

For Teachers 2nd - 9th
Students explore the characteristics of stars. In this space science activity, students use the Microsoft WorldWide Telescope program to identify the properties of stars and identify the stars in the galaxy.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Power Functions: A Question of Magnitude

For Students 9th - 12th
For this power functions worksheet, students read about determining the brightness of stars using a magnitude scale. Students solve 4 problems including finding the magnitude differences of stars and determining equivalent magnitudes.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Fitting Periodic Functions-Distant Planets

For Students 7th - 9th
In this periodic functions worksheet, students use given data of the speed of a star and find the best fit periodic function that follows the trend in data. They determine the amplitude, offset phase and the formula for the angle. They...
+
PPT
Urbana School District

Optics

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Don't worry, optics is a light topic! The presentation covers reflection, refraction, fiber optics, mirages, prisms, rainbows, dispersion, mirrors, lenses, telescopes, diffraction, the human eye, and much, much more. Presentation is the...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Exploring Power-Law Functions Using WISE Data!

For Students 11th - 12th
In this power-law functions worksheet, students solve 3 problems using data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Experiment in the constellation Carina. Students use a photograph to determine the number of stars as bright as the brightest...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Telescope #2

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate parabolas as the shape of a telescopic lens.  In this Algebra I/Algebra II lesson, students explore the relationship between the coefficients of a quadratic function and the shape and position of the parabolic graph...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Star Party

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the parts and function of a telescope.  In this investigative lesson students gain an understanding of a telescope and identify planets and constellations. 
+
App
NASA

Space Images

For Students 3rd - 12th
As technology advances, so does our understanding of the universe around us. Thanks to the Hubble Telescope, Mars rovers, and other high-resolution cameras, there are amazing photographs of celestial bodies, planets, comets, and more...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Worksheet 28 - Spring 1996

For Students 11th - Higher Ed
For this math worksheet, students examine the graph in polar coordinates of r = f(θ). Then they sketch a graph of the modified functions indicated.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Fermi Detects Gamma-Rays from Messier

For Students 10th - 12th
In this power law function worksheet, students use data from the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space telescope to apply the power law function to physical phenomena. Students use a graph to solve four problems.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Modeling a Planetary Nebula

For Students 12th - Higher Ed
For this modeling a planetary nebula worksheet, students use a diagram to calculate the intensity at different radii from the center of the nebula. Students use the Pythagorean Theorem to determine the distance between two points on the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mirror Curvature

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students investigate parabolas as the shape of a telescopic mirror.  In this Algebra I/Algebra II lesson, students explore the relationship between the coefficients of a quadratic function and the shape and position of the parabolic...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Detecting Meteors by Radio in the Classroom

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies (Unit E) They explain the role of radio and optical telescopes in determining characteristics of stars and...
+
Lesson Plan
Texas Instruments

Serious Series

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
High schoolers are introduced to infinite series, geometric and telescoping series as well as the relationship between the sequence of partial sums of a series and its sum. They apply symbolic capacity of their calculator and calculus to...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Introduce your class to one of the ways that technology is benefiting humanity. The Global Precipitation Measurement Mission involves the data collected by nine satellites from different countries with a united focus on studying world...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy: A Star Party

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain the functions of a telescope. They name the parts of the telescope. After previously learning the planets and constellations, students identify and view them during a star party.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kitchen Paraboloids

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students solve quadratic equations and identify functions. In this algebra instructional activity, students graph parabolas and identify properties describing the shape of the parabola. They find the vertex and rewrite the equation in...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Space Shuttle

For Teachers K
Students explore the concept of space. In this space lesson, students pretend to be aerospace engineers. Students build space ships out of cardboard tubes. Students discuss what aerospace engineers do. Students model their space ships...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Classification

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders analyze the necessity of classification. They distinguish between living and nonliving things in our world and recognize the six life functions of living things by identifying 15 classroom objects.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

For Teachers 9th
Students describe and interpret the science of optical and radio telescopes, space probes and remote sensing technologies. They explain the role of radio and optical telescopes in determining characteristics of stars and star systems,...
+
PPT
Glynn County School System

Light, History, Gravity, Distance, Relativity, and Space-Time

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Let the star's color be the guide! The color of a star indicates its temperature and its mass and distance affect the gravitational force. The lesson presentations address these concepts as well as how the theory of special relativity...
+
Lesson Plan
Texas State University

Earth: Deposition and Lithification

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Geology geniuses analyze sediment samples with a hand lens and sort according to physical characteristics. They also learn about the processes of cementation, compaction, and lithification within the rock cycle. The lesson plan is...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Metamorphic Rocks and How are They Formed?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Even though the student handouts are not included in the write-up, this lesson contains the instructions for terrific activities to use when teaching middle schoolers about metamorphic rocks. First, they compare granite to gneiss and...
+
Assessment
Curated OER

Fall 2003 Midterm Exam #2

For Students 10th - 12th
Your physics students will really shine when they take this midterm exam. It covers a variety of concepts dealing with electromagnetic spectra, electricity, and motors and it provides a variety of question styles.