Messenger Education
My Angle on Cooling—Effect of Distance and Inclination
When exploring Mars, spacecrafts are exposed to 5-11 times more sunlight than when near Earth. Groups of pupils complete a hands-on activity to explore how distance and angle of the sun affect temperature. Through discussions, they then...
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Energy from the Sun
In this energy from the sun worksheet, learners are given 20 terms to complete sentences about the sun, the energy of the sun, the radiation of the sun, the transfer of energy from the sun and the currents created by the energy of the sun.
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Thermal Energy Transfer - Conduction
Students examine how heat passes through a pane glass window. In this energy transfer lesson students complete a lab activity.
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Biogeochemical Cycles
Students research an assigned biogeochemical cycle. For this cycle activity, students need to determine that all cycles need energy to continue. The students will look at a given cycle to describe it, research and draw an assigned cycle,...
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Schools and Cells
Fourth graders create analogies in poster format between a cell's organelles and their school. For example, 4th graders coul say a cell's mitochondria is like the cafeteria, both are a source of energy.
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Lesson one
Students study waves and how it erodes a beach. In this energy lesson students complete a lab activity on waves and tides.
National Science Teachers Association
The Ethanol Project
In a mock senate hearing regarding the development of ethanol as a fuel source, each person in the class is assigned a role to play and must uphold the stance of their character. Once the senate hearing is complete, each person writes a...
University of Colorado
The Jovian Basketball Hoop
A radio receives radio signals, converts them to an electrical signal, then converts this signal to a sound signal, and amplifies the sound so people can hear it. Class members use this information to create a short-wave radio antenna...
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Sugar and Light
Students connect starch to sugar as the storage form of energy. They find that no starch is produced in the plant without light. Students perform the old favorite of looking at starch deposition in geranium leaves using Lugol's iodine...
NASA
The Science of the Sun
There's more to that glowing ball of light in sky than most children realize. From the overall structure of the solar system, to the changing of the seasons, these hands-on lessons open the eyes of young scientists to the important role...
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Tour De Texas
Pupils are given a budget and an alternative-fuel vehicle. Using a map of Texas, they are given a starting point and determine how to arrive at their destination within 72 hours. They use the internet to research the alternative fuel...
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Blade Design Challenge
Young scholars identify the differences between non-renewable and renewable energy sources. They construct a PVC wind turbine and design a set of blades to extract as much energy as possible from low and high wind conditions.
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Operating Kitchen Equipment
Students spend this lesson discovering how electricity makes the appliances in their kitchen operate. In groups, they explain how energy is being converted in a microwave oven and practice giving others directions to how to use them. ...
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Physics E3 Project Instructional Plan
Eleventh graders design and build their own solar cars. In this physics lesson, 11th graders explain the photoelectric effect. They discuss the pros and cons of using solar power as an energy source.
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WiTricity Explained
Students explain how electricity is transferred from source to load without actual wires connecting the two. For this physics lesson, students explore how wireless electricity was discovered. They cite practical applications of this...
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LESSON PLAN: CONTROLLING NUCLEAR WEAPONS: DEBATING THE NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY
Ninth graders examine various nuclear weapons. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders conduct primary source research to investigate nuclear weapons and the international nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Students compose a...
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The Cuban Missile Crisis
Learners reflect on the events that lead up to the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s. For this history lesson plan, students explore the conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union revolving around missiles in Cuba,...
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Environment
Fifth graders receive a general overview of the world's environmental dilemmas thereby understanding the global implications of their actions. They examine their connection to the ecosystem by looking at the influence of the environment...
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Where Does Earth's Heat Come From?
Students try to determine how the Earth is heated by the sun and other sources. In groups, they identify the other sources of energy and discover why different parts of the world are heated differently during the year. They complete an...
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Motions
Ninth graders differentiate between energy waves transmitted from a quarry or mine as opposed to energy waves transmitted by an earthquake. They analyze seismograms of blast events from at least two quarries or mines. The energy waves...
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Observing Bursts from an X-ray Burster
Students study the use of X-ray data to make size and energy estimates of the source and the processes occurring there. They use XTE observations of the object GRO 1744-28 to determine whether bursts occur periodically and the duration...
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The Communications Lab
High schoolers build and test a type of communication system called a parabolic-dish receiver. This type of system is exactly like radio telescopes, which are discussed in our song. They explain how signals are transmitted and captured...
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Cosmic Ray Momentum
Students describe how cosmic rays achieve high kinetic energy via conservation of momentum.