Colorado State University
What Is Energy?
Don't let the energy of your classroom falter! Explore the scientific definition of energy through play. A hands-on lesson focuses on the change of energy from one form to another.
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Dryline Characteristics
Students view animations of several atmospheric variables (e.g., temperature, rainfall) during a cold front passage and locate the dryline, determine its direction of movement, and list at least two weather conditions associated with the...
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The Effect of Rain on Morning Temperatures
Eighth graders study the effects of the water cycle. They create a graph of the air temperature versus solar radiation on a rainy and clear 24 hour period using data from a provided link. Afterward, they answer questions to determine the...
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Weather Variables Lab
Students examine what happens when air temperature drops and gets closer to the dewpoint. They perform a lab activity which illustrates the effects on humidity, precipitation and barometric air pressure.
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Time and Rate
In this rate graphing instructional activity, students graph four examples of rate vs. time. Then students complete 20 short answer questions.
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Analyzing Meteorological Data From Mars
Students compare real-time Earth and Mars measurements for temperature, wind speed, humidity and atmospheric pressure by accessing Internet-data resources from NASA. They access real-time weather data and maps for their school location.
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Weather and Oceans: Uneven Heating of the Earth
Students investigate what causes the heat on Earth. In this Earth heating lesson plan, students experiment with different heat sources and determine where the Earth gathers the most heat. Students explore vocabulary words associated...
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Create Your Own Fog
Students describe weather conditions and climates. They describe patterns of changing weather and how they are measured. Students explain and predict general weather patterns and storms. Students form fog in a jug.
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Cold Front Characteristics
Students study the weather conditions before, during, and after cold front passage. Two cold front examples are provided so that comparisons can be made. They are divided in two large groups. Each group studies a different cold front case.
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Chasing El Nino
In this El Nino worksheet, students review this specific change in the climate cycle by completing 20 short answer questions.
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Condensation
Middle schoolers explain how water changes from vapor to liquid with a change in temperature by engaging in this experiment. They use a worksheet imbedded in this lesson to guide their inquiry.
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Perpetual Motion
Students discuss movement of air currents and then experiment to create visible models of air currents. Students connect the model to weather patterns.
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Air Pressure and Wind
In this air pressure and wind worksheet, students answer fifteen questions about how air pressure is measured, what it is, the reasons for changes in air pressure and the weather as air pressure changes. They also answer questions about...
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Barrier Islands
Third graders explore how barrier islands work. In this erosion lesson, 3rd graders create barrier islands in stream tables and simulate wave action to see how it affects their island.
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El Niño
In this weather worksheet learners complete an interactive activity on El Ninos then answer a series of short answer questions on how they occur.
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Zoo Poo
Students use Internet research to determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced per unit energy for biomass and coal. In this alternative energy instructional activity, students research to find out how much energy and carbon dioxide...
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Pebbles Sand and Silt
First graders investigate soil, sand and silt. In this environment lesson, 1st graders discuss how changes occur in the environment and the effects of weather. Students perform their own investigation and record their predictions,...
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Lightning Safety
Students investigate how lightning is produced and ways they can keep themselves safe during a lightning storm. After a lecture/demo, students use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to reinforce the concepts taught.
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Seasons
Students name the 4 seasons, discussing the weather, plant life, animal life and and activities of each. Students read the book titled, "Hello Arctic," and and discuss changes in seasons that accompany the story. Students complete...
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The Many, Varied, and Unusual Places and Things on Earth
Students discover how energy flows through communities because of the relationship between producers, consumers and decomposers. Examining various ecosystems, they identify the materials that cycle continuously through them. They label...
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Science--Learning About Light and Shadows
In this light and shadows worksheet, students find 5 transparent items and 5 opaque items from the classroom and categorize them underneath their appropriate headings. Students look at 4 boxes with shadows and draw a little sun to show...
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Canned Heat
Students demonstrate that light and dark colored objects absorb the sun's radiation at different rates. They experiment with the temperature change of water in two locations and discuss the results.
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You Can Be A Woman Meteorologist
Students complete four activities that are about meteorology. The first activity is for them to explore weather maps. The second activity is for students to discover high-pressure and low-pressure air. The third activity is for them to...