Curated OER
Working on the Moon
Students take a mission to the moon. In this space science instructional activity, students visit selected websites to discover information about Earth's moon and the solar system. Students may take virtual missions to the moon...
Curated OER
Settlement Exploration: Then and Now
NASA has crafted an imaginative and memorable series of lessons, "NASA and Jamestown Education Module." This lesson is one of the five components. In it, middle schoolers connect history and science by comparing the settlement of...
Curated OER
Designing Your Inner Self
Students identify connections between various cultures and the symbolism used in them. Individually, they reflect on their own culture, beliefs and values and identify the symbolisms they use to show them. They discuss how their clothes...
Curated OER
Sky Watching
Students complete night-sky observations to understand how our knowledge of the sky has been enhanced by telescopes. Students complete a timeline worksheet giving the history of telescopes. Students then then make their own observations...
Space Awareness
Navigation in the Ancient Mediterranean and Beyond
Ancient texts, like Homer's Odyssey, mentions navigating ships by observing constellations. Pupils learn about the link between history and astronomy as they relate to navigation in the Bronze Age. Scholars complete two hands-on...
Curated OER
Sunny Symbols
After listening to a series of stories about signs and symbols associated with the United States, pupils discuss the importance of the sun in Native American legends and as a representation of New Mexico. As part of this exploration,...
Curated OER
Sky Watchers: Ancient Astronomers
Students close their eyes and picture the sky. They are asked to brainstorm things they may see in the course of a night and day, such as the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. Students work in groups to coduct their research. They...
Curated OER
GPS Treasure Hunt for Knowledge
Students examine themselves as being part of a global community. In this global community activity, students investigate GPS systems. Students gain knowledge on how the device works. Students discover that satellites provide information...
Curated OER
Bible: Mayan Gods
Students discover beliefs and practices of the Mayans. In this Mayan gods lesson, students discuss "The World Tree" of the Mayans, the three layers of the tree, and their meanings. Students discover the manner and purpose of...
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Tribal Origin Stories
The teacher reads and retells Californian tribal origin or creation stories that come from the traditions of a variety of California Indian tribes. Then, pupils get together in groups and retell the stories they just heard; just as...
Curated OER
Galileo Galilei Questions for Study
In this online interactive philosophy worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about Galileo's contributions to science.
Curated OER
Learning about a Culture from a Story
Students interpret the identity of a traditional culture from objects and a creation story. In this instructional activity on learning about a culture from a story, students read and analyze an Eskimo myth about creation and an essay on...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Cosmos
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature space science. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Comparing the Satellite and Broadcast Radio Landscapes
Students research the development of satellite technology over the last 50 years students explain how the enactment of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 changed the rules for corporate ownership of multiple media outlets.
Curated OER
Learning about a Culture from a Story
Students identify environmental influences on a traditional culture, animals and plants important to a traditional culture, and interpret the identity of a traditional culture from objects and a creation story.
Curated OER
The Chinese Zodiac And The Western Zodiac
Students create individual horoscopes that contrast and compare Western and
Chinese views of their futures using poster boards and magic markers. In-class discussion is used to evaluate the use of the Zodiac in different cultures.
Nine Planets
The Nine Planets: An Overview of the Solar System
A detailed overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in the solar system.
PBS
Pbs: The Conquistadors: Growth of the Inca Empire
Find out about the incredible and widespread Inca Empire. You can read about the geography of the empire, the religion, governmental structure, record-keeping system, and diet. Be sure to click on the hyperlinks or pictures to get even...
National Earth Science Teachers Association
Windows to the Universe: Mythology of the Mayas
This article from the Windows to the Universe gives information on Mayan myths related to the Earth, rain, the Moon, Venus, Mars, and the Milky Way. There are illustrations and explanations of vocabulary. Choose from beginner to advanced...