+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orbital Mechanics

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders examine the misconceptions of Newton's laws of motion.  In this motion and gravity lesson students interpret data and see the effects of gravity. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charting Seasonal Changes

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students research the Earth's patterns of rotation and revolution, create a chart and graph of these patterns and use them to explain the causes of night and day and summer and winter.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Modeling Celestial Motion

For Students 7th - 12th
In this modeling celestial motion activity, students fill in the blank about the motion of celestial bodies: planets and stars. Students complete the blanks with information about the scientists and philosophers responsible for early...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Was Kepler Correct?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the elliptical orbit around the Sun. They use the information gathered to measure the distance to the Sun from the closest orbital point and the farthest orbital point.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze theories on how the solar system was formed.  In this solar system lesson students explain the rotation and revolution of motion. 
+
Lesson Plan
Journey Through the Universe

Our Solar System

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Take your class on a journey through our solar system. Learners explore each planet, from Mercury to Pluto, and discuss various features that differentiate one from another. They complete activities related to the topics and discuss the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ellipses And Kepler's First Law

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain that planets actually orbit the center of gravity of the solar system, and that distant planets may be detected by motions of their central star around the centers of gravity of their planetary systems.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Projectile Motion: Hit the Army Men

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students predict the correct projectile launcher angle to hit the target. In this physics lesson, students record data on a spreadsheet. They curve their data and calculate the place of ball impact at an angle.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earth Moon Scaling

For Students 6th - 12th
A wonderful lesson incorporating math and physics skills along with specific details about the planetary bodies. The cross-curricular approach makes for a valid activity to challenge multiple ages and abilities. Your class could work in...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets Curriculum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students complete an in-depth study of the known planets in the solar system. As a class, students identify the planets that are known in the universe, in the night sky. They explain the differences between planets and stars and the...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Leading Scientist of the Scientific Revolution

For Students 6th - 8th
Quiz your class on how well they know the leading scientist of the scientific revolution. They answer seven multiple choice questions that require them to know each major contribution of each of the following scientists: Galileo, Newton,...
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
PBS

Invisible Force

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Investigate invisible forces. Young engineers design a setup that changes the direction of a steel ball using a magnetic force. The purpose of the setup is to model the gravitational pull of spacecraft by planetary bodies.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientific Inquiry: Periodic Motion

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students construct their own pendulum. In this physics instructional activity, students design an experiment to find the factors affecting its period. They formulate a conclusion based on experimental data.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Celestial Neighborhood

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders study the origin and organization of the solar system. They investigate the Earth's place in the system and how planetary motions explain natural phenomena observable from Earth.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Machines

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the concepts.
+
Lesson Plan
1
1
Curated OER

The Seasons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Discover the change of the seasons by modeling the Earth-Sun system. Learners model the orbit of the Earth around the sun and explore how and why the patterns of winter and summer occur.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Constellations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the major constellations. After reviewing the Earth's basic motions and their significance, students discuss the moon's orbit and revolutions. Using a Digitarium Alpha portable planetarium projector, they observe at...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People of the Scientific Revolution

For Teachers 7th - 10th
In this Scientific Revolution worksheet, learners read a brief overview of the contributions of Copernicus, Bacon, Kepler, Galileo, Newton, and Harvey.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Application of Ellipses

For Students 11th
In this algebra worksheet, 11th graders apply ellipses to real life scenarios such as football, satellite and planet orbits. They discuss a variety of way sto apply ellipses.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction To Orbital Mechanics

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students use NASA drawings to build a model satellite for a specific mission. They design a set of drawings for their satellite showing its subsystems as well.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements Of Biology: Evolution

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study the theory of evolution and examine why it is so controversial.  In this biology lesson students view a video on evolution, research the theory of evolution on the Internet and complete an essay. 
+
Interactive
Curated OER

Intellectual History

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive world history worksheet, students answer 22 matching questions regarding the Enlightenment. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
+
Interactive
Curated OER

Scientific Revolution

For Students 9th - 12th
In this online interactive world history activity, students answer 20 matching questions regarding the Scientific Revolution. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

Astronomy Class

For Students 6th - 8th
In this space science worksheet, students find the words associated with the basic terms of Astronomy. The answers are located at the bottom of the page.