Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Exploration

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders identify and interpret the following: What is space?, Space Race, Living in space?, Man on the Moon, Astronaut training; students compare/contrast US and Russia space exploration. Students write a letter of application to...
Lesson Plan
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Get a Leg Up

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Traveling through space is an amazing experience, but it definitely takes a toll on the body. After reading an article and watching a brief video, learners perform an experiment that simulates the effects of zero gravity on the...
Lesson Plan
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Communication Delay

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Construct a maze in your classroom and have a blindfolded scientist act as a space rover, maneuvering unfamiliar terrain while another scientist plays commander. Classmates record the number of occurrences of the commander having to...
Lesson Plan
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Space Exploration to Find Habitable Planets

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students explore space science by reviewing scientific vocabulary terms. In this planet identification lesson, students identify the nine planets in our solar system and discuss which ones could potentially harbor life at some point....
Lesson Plan
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The Space Cadet's Laboratory: Using Electromagnetic Energy to Study Astronomy

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Young scholars build their own spectrophotometer to study light. In this physics lesson, students explain the dual nature of light. They calculate the angle of incidence and refraction using Snell's law equation.
Lesson Plan
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Destination Red Planet

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore reasons why people are interested in exploring other planets. After reading an article, they identify developments in the mission to Mars. Using the internet, they research the history of exploring Mars and...
Lesson Plan
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Distance in Space

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore space science by measuring distances between planets. In this solar system lesson, 6th graders view a Bill Nye video and discover the conversion between the metric system and imperial measuring systems. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Science That's Out of This World

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students use iChat AV and an iSight camera to "meet with" a space scientist to ask and answer questions, visit relevant websites, and broaden their understanding of the solar system and space. They videoconference with a sientist and...
Lesson Plan
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Discoveries of Titanic Proportions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze various statements on the moon. After reading an article, they discuss the findings about a new moon around Saturn. In groups, they re-create a press conference in which the new findings were released to the public. ...
Lesson Plan
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Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The Green Education Foundation found that this lesson plan, written by the Texas State Energy Conservation Office, is right up their alley when it comes to teaching sustainability. It is ideal as a first lesson plan on photovoltaic...
Lesson Plan
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Space Trader And Economics

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students' play a game applying different economic and game terms. In the game, the students' are to travel to 4 planets which provide the best resources for increasing their money to purchase a moon in the end. The students' keep track...
Lesson Plan
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The Lighter Side of Color

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore light and color, including how colors are mixed to produce new colors, how light is filtered, and how light is reflected off of surfaces. They read materials provided, complete worksheets, and complete hands-on activities.
Lesson Plan
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Observing the Outer Planets

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students observe the outer planets. In this science lesson, students use a telescope locate the outer planets of the solar system. Students create a video of their observations.
Lesson Plan
NASA

Lava Layering

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Take the old baking soda and vinegar volcano to the next level by using it to study repeated lava flows over time, examine geologic features on Earth and Mars, and speculate about some of the formations on Mars. 
Lesson Plan
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Understanding Bernoulli's Principle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain why we fly. For this space science lesson, 5th graders discuss Bernoulli's prinicple and its relation to flight.
Lesson Plan
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Special Delivery

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are given an envelope with the name of a locomotor skill. As a class, they practice reading the name of the skill and practice doing the movement. To end the lesson, they complete the movement only when the music is playing.
Lesson Plan
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Character Traits in Gingerbread Baby #5

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students are read the story "Gingerbread Baby". They draw or download the characters and cut them out. They create character profiles for each character based on how they acted in the book. They act out a scene from the story as well.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring the Interstellar Medium

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the Interstellar Medium and the Local Bubble that the Sun is inside. They read and discuss a handout, answer discussion questions, observe a demonstration of light scattering, and conduct an experiment on the...
Lesson Plan
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Launching Rockets

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss experiences of watching a rocket launch either on television or in person before making paper rockets. They make and color rockets which they attempt to launch using a strong breath blown through a straw at the...
Lesson Plan
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Nature of Meteor Showers

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders describe, in general terms, the distribution of matter in space and identify evidence for, and describe characteristics of, bodies that make up the solar system. They then investigate predictions about the motion,...
Lesson Plan
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Moon Watch

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read books about the moon and discuss its perceived changes as it moves across the sky. They observe the moon over the course of a month and chart their observations. They discuss their observations and conduct further...
Lesson Plan
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Project X-35

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students demonstrate rocketry principles through a cooperative, problem solving simulation. They work in teams to simulate the development of a commercial proposal to design, build, and launch a rocket.
Lesson Plan
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Why Do We Have Night?

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Learners engage in a fun, creative way to discover how the Earth moves. This lesson helps students explain why there is day and night. It can also create curiosity to further study the solar system and eclipses!
Lesson Plan
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Boxes & Blocks: Puffer Bellies and Box Cars

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Students turn cardboard boxes into outdoor dramatic play. In this early childhood visual arts lesson, students explore cooperative and dramatic play outdoors by challenging children to create a train from cardboard boxes.