Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scale Model of the Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students work in groups of 4-6 for the experiment/activity part of this exercise. Students know that earth is the third planet from the sun in a system that includes the moon, the sun, eight other planets and their moons, and smaller...
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Trends of Snow Cover and Temperature in Alaska

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare NASA satellite data observations with student surface measurements of snow cover and temperature. They practice data collection, data correlations, and making scientific predictions.
Lesson Plan
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Investigating the Soil

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the Earth's crust by researching pH levels and acidity. In this environmental safety lesson, students identify the pros and cons of acidity within soil and how it affects plants. Students collaborate in a pH level...
Lesson Plan
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Permafrost: Permanently Frozen Ground

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore permafrost.  In this 3 states of matter lesson, students identify characteristics of solids and liquids.  Students observe water and soil melting and freezing at various temperatures.  Students make...
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Lord of the Rings - A Study of Tree Rings

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine trees and discuss how the environment effected the tree. They also predict what the area look like in fifty years.
Lesson Plan
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Too Hot? Gotta Vent!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study deep sea exploration and underwater geology, specifically hydrothermal sea vents. They create digital video projects of their own to demonstrate their knowledge, illustrating the discoveries of the explorers of the ocean's...
Lesson Plan
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Wonder Underground

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students classify and record objects they find "underground." In this observation lesson plan, students dig into bins filled with soil and encounter various objects such as bark, twigs, etc. Students classify their findings.
Lesson Plan
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Soil Treasure Hunt

For Teachers K - 4th
Young scholars explore the concept of soil and decomposition. In this soil and decomposition lesson, students investigate bags of soil. Young scholars then learn how  animals and other organisms help in the decomposition process. 
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The Mystery of the Missing Hummingbirds

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students record scientific observations in a science journal.  In this season lesson, students make observations about each of the seasons and record in their journals.  Students record organisms response to seasonal changes...
Lesson Plan
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Improving the Building Envelope System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain the different heat transfer mechanisms and how they influence the building envelope. They develop ways in which the building envelope can be improved and test hypotheses about building envelope designs.
Lesson Plan
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Improving the HVAC System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe the components of an HVAC system and determine which factors influence how efficient the system can be. They work together to develop hypotheses about the systems and their cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Lesson Plan
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Does Cloud Type Affect Rainfall?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Student uses MY NASA DATA to obtain precipitation and cloud type data. They create graphs of data within MY NASA DATA. They compare different cloud types as well as precipitation types. They describe graphs of the precipitation and cloud...
Lesson Plan
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Whale Watcher Game Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students participate in an online whale watching game. They identify the reasons for migration and describe the route. They make predictions on what would happen if the ways did not migrate.
Lesson Plan
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Cloud Fun

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students observe cumulus clouds. For this weather lesson, students go outside to look at cumulus clouds and observe what the weather is like when they find these types of clouds. They create a cumulus cloud in an art project and complete...
Lesson Plan
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Water Filtration

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students investigate our water system and how it is filtered. In this science lesson, students perform a laboratory activity to investigate the process that goes into filtering water. They relate this activity to other subject areas...
Lesson Plan
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The Envelope System: A Partial Solution

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Studnet identify examples of conduction, convection and radiation. They develop an example of a building envelope. They also describe how heat transfer mechanisms can affect home energy costs.
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Earthquake Epicenter

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use chart data to determine the location of the epicenter of an earthquake. This task assesses students' abilities to generalize and infer, organize data, interpret data, and apply mathematical concepts.
Lesson Plan
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Observing Lava Flows

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the difference between fast and slow spreading lava flows. They identify various types of lava flow and determine the factors that cause them to form. Viewing photographs of lava flows, students working in groups,...
Lesson Plan
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Electromagnetism

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students explore the generation of magnetic fields from currents in wires and measure the magnetic field directions. They measure magnetic fields in their own environment. They also examine how moving magnetic fields can create currents.
Lesson Plan
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The Solar System: Go Green with the Sun!

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders learn how to use solar power.  In this sun, technology and energy lesson, 3rd graders learn how the solar power from the sun can give off energy, learn about solar panels, discuss their uses and benefits, and design a...
Lesson Plan
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Fred the Fish -- A River Ran Wild

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students apply cause and effect relationships to water pollution in a stream. In this pollution lesson students recognize the importance of clean water in their daily lives. Students accompany "Fred the Fish" as he travels down stream....
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Invent on the Spot

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
The best inventions come from a problem that needs to be solved! Given a container with holes in...
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You Can Die Here – Death Valley California

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students use Google Maps to explore the rain shadow desert. In this climate lesson, students use the Internet, Google Maps, and directed inquiry worksheets to understand how rain shadow deserts form. Students apply climate concepts to...
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Elements for Disaster Reporting

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students identify the elements of natural disasters and gain an understanding on how the media influences people's responses to disasters. In this natural disaster lesson plan, students study the impact of natural disasters, and the...