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Timing the Transit of Venus
Young scholars calculate elapsed time and look for patterns.
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Make Your Own "Weather" Map
Students create their own "weather" map using data from x-ray sources. They analyze and discuss why it is important to organize data in a fashion in which is easy to read. They compare and contrast different x-ray sources using a stellar...
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An Eclipsing Binary System with a Precessing Accretion Disk
Students work together to complete an experiment over binary sources. They determine values for the orbital period of certain objects and interpret intensity changes. They also calculate a value for the period of precession of an...
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Sunspot Classification
Young scholars study classification schemes for identifying sunspots. They distinguish between sunspot unbrae and penunbrae, measure sunspots, and compare them to the size of the Earth. They complete a worksheet showing classification of...
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Solar System Distance Activity
Students examine the distances between the Sun, planets, and smaller objects in the Solar System. They design a model using beads that shows the scale distances of the Solar System using astronomical units converted into a 10 centimeter...
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Cloud Discovery
Students create a slideshow that pictorially depicts a variety of cloud types. They research clouds, develop and present the slideshow and then evaluate their efforts based on a rubric for self-evaluation.
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Warm and Cold Air
Students examine what happens to air when it is heated or cooled. They conduct an experiment using bottles and balloons, record and discuss their observations, and write a hypothesis.
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Air Pressure
Fourth graders observe a demonstration experiment showing air pressure. They explain air pressure by completing the worksheet.
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Weather Myths
Fourth graders examine myths that are based on weather phenomenon. They write, illustrate and present an original weather myth.
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Wind
Fourth graders watch an experiment that demonstrates the causes of wind. They design and make an original weather craft.
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Weather Records
Students write newspaper articles based on weather records set around the world. Students read and discuss weather records and their results, then write a newspaper article about how the weather records have affected people around the...
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Twisters
Students differentiate between the terms 'tornado watch' and 'tornado warning' and simulate the conditions that produce tornadoes. They read "Night of the Twisters" by Ivy Ruckman and conduct an experiment using two-liter plastic...
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Cloud Observation and Graphing
Students identify the three major cloud groups. They are introduced to the three main cloud types and spend a week making and recording observations of clouds. Students produce a graph that presents their findings and conduct research...
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Comparing Weather Conditions
Students conduct research on temperature, wind speed and weather conditions from a variety of areas. They organize their findings on worksheets and spreadsheets and discuss various examples of databases.
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Using Computer for Statistical Analysis
Students examine the use for spreadsheets in analyzing data. They make spreadsheets that display and calculate a given data set such as temperature change.
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Oxygen vs. Air Pressure
Students conduct an experiment to determine if water level is affected by a change in oxygen level or air pressure.
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Estimating Altitude of Water Cloud Base
Students conduct an experiment to determine dew point and use a formula to detemine altitude. They construct a chart and predict what altitude clouds would form, given the dew point on the ground.
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Creating a Thematic Map Using S'COOL Data
Learners observe weather patterns, collect data, and make a weather predictions for various locations on a map.
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Balloon Staging
Students discover how rockets can reach a higher altitude by using staging. They use balloons to demonstrate this concept and then practice with rockets. They discuss the results to end the lesson.
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Force of Air - Does Air do Work ?
Learners use a balloon, cardboard support, and wooden ping pong channel to complet an experiment to answer the question "Does Air do Work?" They complete a worksheet to demonstrate knowledge of the concept after the lab.
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Air Pressure is Powerful
Students construct a barometer and collect data on the changes in air pressure. They work is small groups using plastic tubing, corks, and green food coloring. They then use a formula to convert inches of mercury to barometric pressure...
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Understanding Cloud Formation
Students read and relate the poem, "Clouds" by Aileen Fisher to a demonstration on cloud formation. They create clouds in jars using ice water and matches then discuss the ways clouds can be used to predict weather.
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Observing, Describing, And Identifying Contrails
Students compare the three types of contrails that are produced by aircraft exhaust. They examine pictures of contrails on the internet to classify each as short lived, persistent or persistent spreading. They then sketch examples in...
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"Use an Anemometer," said the Meteorologist
Students work in groups to make an instrument the Meteorologists use to measure the speed of the wind after the teacher reads them a poem about the wind. Students then review vocabulary that they studied from their lesson.