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Solar Isolation Changes and the Sunspot Cycle
In this sunspot cycle and solar irradiation worksheet, students use 2 graphs of daily total solar irradiance and sunspot activity to solve 3 problems. They find the average solar irradiance during a given time, they determine the...
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Pen Light Lab
Students study what makes Earth warm and explore how different locations on the planetreceive different amounts of solar energy based on the intensity of the sun's rays. They calculate light intensities and compare the
amounts of light...
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Exploring Energy with GIS
Young scholars examine GIS technology as it is used to locate energy sources. In this GIS lesson, student access an assigned website to locate a series of lessons using the GIS software. They use the maps that are located on the primary...
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Energy Alternatives and Conservation
In this energy alternatives and conservation worksheet, students research the topic, answer 3 questions, then complete a 4 step plan to create a print or digital project. This page has numerous links to web resources.
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Sun Friendly Homes
Students design and build a model solar energy home. In this technology lesson, students test the efficiency of their model houses by measuring temperature at regular intervals. They analyze data and share results with the class.
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Measuring Soil Temperatures at South Penquite Farm
Young scholars investigate soil temperatures. In this graphing and earth science instructional activity, students insert temperature probes into different types of soil at varying depths. Young scholars complete a data chart and...
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Aerosol Science
In this aerosol instructional activity, learners are given data for volcanic eruptions and the average temperatures of the Earth. They determine the change in temperature from the year of the eruption to the present year and use the...
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Ice Cube Experiment
Students explore the rate at which ice melts. In this science lesson, students place ice cubes on colored index cards and place them in direct sunlight. Students observe which ice cubes melt fastest and slowest.
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Energy Conservation
Students discuss the different uses of energy. They examine the consumption percentages to do household tasks. They discover ways to reduce their energy consumption.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Understanding the Greenhouse Effect
The greenhouse effect is important, for without it, life on Earth would not exist. An activity that includes modeling the greenhouse effect and acting out the Earth's energy balance makes up the first part in a series of seven...
Space Awareness
Water is a Heat Sink
One of the key objectives of Europe's Copernicus Earth program is to monitor the temperatures of the oceans and seas on Earth. Young scholars learn the effects of different heat capacities through two experiments. These experiments...
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Our Moon
In this space science worksheet, students use the clues given at the bottom of the sheet to solve the crossword puzzle on our moon. They name another name for the moon and the moon's gravity compared to that of the earth.
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Looking into Surface Albedo
Young scholars demonstrate how the color of materials on Earth affect the amount of solar energy that is absorbed. In this solar energy lesson plan students complete a lab to explore how the color of materials on the Earth's...
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Solar Eclipse
In this solar eclipse worksheet, students solve seven problems about solar eclipses after making a model following five steps. They determine the different orbits for satellites, they determine the lengths of Earth's shadow and they...
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Energy Alternatives: Nature offers a solution
Students describe the pros and cons of different energy sources. In this earth science lesson, students respond to survey questions and discuss each other's opinion about the issue. They research an energy source of their choice and...
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The Sun Affects Earth
Third graders read, write, and listen to information about the sun and its effects on the Earth.as it relates to its axis, orbit, rotate, and revolution. In this solar system lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun...
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Energy of the Future
Young scholars examine technologies that already exist and record their findings in a journal. They work with students in other countries to explore alternative energy sources They publish their designs online.
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The Four Seasons - Earth's Axis
Middle schoolers explain that it is the tilt of earth's axis that causes the seasons. They engage in a variety of activities, both teacher-led and on the computer, which enable them to further explain how the Earth's axis affects the...
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Solar
Students study solar energy. In this renewable energy lesson students complete several lab activities using different controls and variables.
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How the Amount of Solar Energy Absorbed by the Earth is Dependent Upon the Earth's Position
Pupils investigate the angle of light and how it faces the earth. They conduct a series of investigations with the following two objectives. Students determine if the angle of light is a factor in the absorption of heat. They correlate...
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Solar Eclipse
Students demonstrate the revolution of the moon around the earth and the effect of its direct alignment in between the earth and the sun.
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Heat Transfer
Learners examine heat transfer using energy efficient houses. In this heat transfer lesson students calculate the heat that is transferred between a system and its surroundings.
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The Invisible Energy in Light
Students investigate radiant energy. In this earth science lesson, students use solar beads and clear sunscreen to observe radiant solar energy. Students note observations.
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Sun and Shadows
Why do shadows look different in the summer than in the winter? What causes day and night? How can a sundial be used to tell time? Answer these questions and more through two engaging lessons about light and shadows. Fourth and fifth...