Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hello, Anybody Out There?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students understand that people believe there may be life in other solar systems. In this communication with other solar systems lesson, students analyze our planet and write things they want to communicate to other solar systems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Catapults!

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars work together to discover the relationship between the angle of catapults and the flight of different objects. They discover the heavier the object the more force is needed. They examine how engineers use this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Great Circle Route

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars compare routes between Minnesota and China using a map and globe. Using the "great circle route" method, students find the shortest route between two points.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Following in Galileo's Footsteps

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the findings of Galileo and research the moons of Jupiter. They construct simple telescopes, and examine the moons for themselves at a star party. They record their findings in a journal.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Reading a Compass

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners demonstrate how to take bearings using a compass. In pairs, they select objects in the classroom then write down its first initial and bearing. They exchange papers and try to disciver their partner's object.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Space Travel Timeline

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students use the Internet to find events in space history to include in a timeline. They recognize the cause and effect relationships between events that happened in the exploration of space. They see how to use the TimeLiner software.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I'm Falling For You!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders are introduced to the concept of gravity by observing different objects being dropped from a high point. In groups, they complete the same activities Galileo did and record their observations. To end the lesson, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking into Space

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore how telescopes work, build a model of their own, and consider how real telescopes can be used to ask-and help answer-questions about the universe.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometric Solids

For Teachers K
Students identify and create simple geometric shapes and describe simple spatial relationships. Through discussion, hands-on activities and show and tell, they identify geometric solids in real life and create graphs of commonly found...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gravity

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the characteristics of gravity. They discuss gravity on Earth and then use cereal boxes to research and compare the weight of objects on Earth to the weight of those objects on other planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Sundial

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students create their own sundial and explore how to read it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Today's Weather on Mars

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars investigate the temperature and wind data locally, nationally, and internationally and compare these conditions to those on Mars. Conclusions are drawn about the differences of these conditions and the causes for the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomical Scales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners describe the different units of measurement. In this space science lesson, students calculate astronomical distances using a scale. They explain the significance of using scientific notation in expressing very small or very...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Last Year on Pluto

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars examine the astronomical concept of a year. They relate the passage of time on planets to historical events in the USA.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking Out Is Looking Back...

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the size of our Universe by understanding how long it takes to travel around from object to object in it - even if you travel at the speed of light! In making our exploration, we will examine ways of measuring distance,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A DISAPPEARING ACT Astronomy: Do Stars Always Shine?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students observe why stars are not visible during the day with a classroom demonstration using an index card punched with holes.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning Lesson: Its a Gas, Man

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students participate in a demonstration in which they examine the effect on temperature by carbon dioxide. They discuss the effects of carbon dioxide on the environment. They also examine summer safety rules to end the lesson.
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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landforms in a Tub

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders use common household items to build landforms and simulate weathering and erosion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Cause and Effect to Write in Science

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders brainstorm processes or forces that cause Earth's surface to be changed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Star Frames

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study constellations. In this space science lesson, 4th graders discover what makes stars, how bright stars are, and why constellations were created. Students make their own constellation using Saran Wrap and a frame.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Future Conditional

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine how toxic pollutants affect environmental and human health. They define key terms, watch a video, and answer discussion questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pollution Solution

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars, after discussing oil pollution, generate solutions to an oil spill.
Lesson Plan
Other

Making a Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this lesson plan site, students are asked to construct a scale model of the planets to help visualize the relative size of planets and their relative distance from the Sun. Links are provided to the Sun and the planets which contain...