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Meteor Showers
Students use the Internet to discover the wonderful world of comets and meteor showers. They discover how to spot one and predict them using a calendar. They also examine the makeup of meteoroids and meteorites.
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Paper Plate Observation
Young scholars analyze transits from previous scientists. They identify simple objects that could have been used for documentation in the science world. They also practice scientific inquiry using methodology.
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Earth is Round?
Third graders discuss how Aristotle concluded that the Earth was round. As a class, they review theories about the Earth's shape and describe how life on Earth would be different if it were flat. Individually, they make a moon book in...
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Super Gelatin
Students measure angles of refraction as the light travels through gelatin. For this experimental lesson students complete a refraction lab and plot their data.
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Is It Lunar or Lunacy?
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 plan, they examine the difference between refracting and...
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Facts and Myths about our Solar System
Sixth graders explore popular ideas about the Sun and Moon. In this space science lesson, 6th graders separate commonly accepted details about our solar system into facts and myths. Students research a particular idea and create comic...
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SUBMARINE MOUNTAINS
Students create a two-dimensional contour map of a submerged area from a simulated survey using sounding techniques.
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Make A Comet
Students make a comet out of corn syrup, ammonia, dirt, ice cream sticks, and more. In this comet lesson plan, students view how these ingredients turn from a solid to a gas.
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Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons
Students demonstrate size and orbits of Earth, Moon, and Mars. In this space science lesson plan, students will use balloons to show how the size and distance between the planets and satellite compare.
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Mass
Students participate in a qualitative discussion of the distinction between weight and mass, followed by a description of astronaut mass measurements in a zero-g environment.
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How Far Away Is Saturn?
Students work together to create a scale model of the solar system. They write a descriptive paper and a paper comparing and contrasting the Earth to Saturn. They discuss their writings with the class.
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Stellar Lunar Curriculum
Students engage in a lesson plan that covers the concept of different phases of the moon. They name the cycles of the phases of the moon while using flashlights to simulate the light of the sun. They research information about several...
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The Solar System and the Forces Behind It
Sixth graders discover why planets stay in orbit. In groups, they use everyday materials to examine the effect of gravity of objects and calculate how mass changes based on gravitational pull. To end the lesson, they discuss how...
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The Farther Away You Are, The Faster Away You Move
Young scholars explore linear relationships. The lesson plan uses science to develop an understanding of the expanding Universe. There are 3 Labs, only 2 of which are required. Lab C is an enrichment for higher level classes.
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Seeing Interference Fringes with a Telescope
Students construct an interferometer using a simple telescope. In this physics lesson, students explain how light waves create the fringe patterns. They observe patterns made by different objects in the sky and compare them.
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Project SETI.
Tenth graders study how to search for life in outer space and make use of the 40-foot radio telescope at Greenbank, West Virginia. Request that the telescope be pointed at a particular location and time and receive data back from it...
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Colored Shadows
Sixth graders explore how three colored lights can be combined to produce a wide range of colors.
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Particulate Sampler
Students estimate the extent of particulate air pollution present in their neighborhoods.
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Heat Currents
Students using a slide made out of aluminum foil and pin holes observe visible light.
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Analytical Spectroscope
Students using a spectroscope view different substances when heated with electricity.
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Wavelength and Energy
Pupils using a rope and other materials explore wavelengths and frequency. If time permits, more experiments can be tried.
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Liquid Crystal IR Detector
Middle schoolers experiment with one method of detecting infrared radiation. They simulate the detection of infrared radiation using a liquid crystal sheet.
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Lenses and Mirrors
Students investigate lenses and mirrors showing how they bend and reflect light waves.
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It's All In The Surface: The Effects Of Color & Texture On The Ability Of A Surface To Absorb Solar Energy
Ninth graders examine how dark surfaces absorb more light than light surfaces. They perform an experiment that compares various surfaces abilities to absorb heat, then record and analyze the results.