Lesson Plan
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University of Colorado

Patterns and Fingerprints

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Human fingerprint patterns are the result of layers of skin growing at different paces, thus causing the layers to pull on each other forming ridges. Here, groups of learners see how patterns and fingerprints assist scientists in a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Spectral Classification of Stars

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
In this spectral composition of stars worksheet, learners use data collected by a spectroscope to compare the stellar spectra to a standard for 5 stars. Students compare the spectral lines to the temperatures of the stars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Cycle Of Stars

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze characteristics that indicate human life cycles, and then apply these observational principles to various NASA pictures of stars to synthesize patterns of stellar life cycles. They observe NASA images of stars at various...
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Make a Star Lantern

For Students 1st - 4th
Go star-gazing with young learners! They study the history, origins, and patterns of constellations in an activity that explores the starry night sky.
Lesson Plan
Space Awareness

Star in a Box

For Teachers 5th - Higher Ed Standards
What happens to stars as they get older? A simulation takes pupils through the life cycle of stars based on their masses. The resource introduces the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and the common relationships and life cycle patterns observed.
Interactive
Las Cumbres Observatory

Star In a Box

For Students 6th - 12th
Stars may all look the same from down here, but their surfaces tell a different story. Using an animation, learners collect data about the temperature and luminosity of stars and compare them to their mass and radius. They then answer...
Activity
Star Wars in the Classroom

Star Wars Geography Unit

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
What kind of animals live on an ice planet like Hoth? How would the habitat on Tatooine allow different organisms to thrive? Connect social studies, science, and Star Wars in one engaging activity that focuses on the ecosystems...
Lesson Plan
Academy of American Poets

Teach This Poem: “Dead Stars” by Ada Limón

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pay attention! A lesson featuring Ada Limon's poem "Dead Stars" is designed to help learners develop their noticing skills. Class members first study the constellation Orion's image and list what they notice and how the image makes them...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Stars

For Students 4th - 8th
For this space science worksheet, students use the clues to assist them in solving the crossword puzzle on the stars. They identify various constellations and how each rotates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Exploration: Shapes and Patterns Under the Sea

For Teachers K - 3rd
So many shapes in our vast oceans. Young explorers can discover new shapes in a variety of ways in this lesson. One way is having free exploration with a pattern shape kit handed out by the teacher. Another is by viewing a...
Lesson Plan
Science Matters

Ring of Fire

For Teachers 6th Standards
Over a period of 35 years, earthquakes and volcanoes combined only accounted for 1.5 percent of the deaths from natural disasters in the United States. The 15th lesson in a 20-part series connects the locations of earthquakes and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recognizing the Importance of Sight

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discover the true value of their senses. In this sight lesson, students discover the difficulty of life without sight by performing everyday activities without the help of their eyes. The students examine their results and the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Star Cluster Math

For Students 7th - 9th
In this star cluster math instructional activity, students use four different patterns to solve five problems about the fraction of stars classified by their temperature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Old Are the Stars?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine the age of a star cluster by observing, measuring, and plotting astronomical data. They examine the Jewe lbox cluster, located within the southern constellation Crux and determine its age.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Stars and Constellations-Pattern Recognition

For Students 5th - 7th
In this stars and constellations worksheet, students study a given constellation and identify the stars in the constellation. They label the stars in the constellation and identify the months the constellation is visible. They research...
Activity
NASA

Star Brightness

For Students 9th - 12th
In this brightness of stars worksheet, high schoolers answer 7 questions about the apparent magnitudes of stars, the sun, and the moon. They compare the brightness of stars, galaxies, astronomical objects and the sun.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students identify patterns in the stars. In this constellation activity, students simulate constellations using black canisters and patterns. Students discuss the points on the constellations and how to draw imaginary lines to see the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stars and Constellations

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate how ancient cultures viewed their world in terms of astronomy. They read and discuss an informational handout, construct an astrolabe, and locate stars and constellations using star charts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mathematics at the Frontier of Astronomy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the different types of measurements used in astronomy. For this space science lesson, students explain the relationship between planets' orbits and distance from the sun using Kepler's Laws. They discuss how math aides...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are Stars?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research the solar system and it's characteristics.  In this solar system lesson, students are broken into 4 groups, each assigned a specific part of the solar system.  Students use the Internet to research their part...
Unit Plan
Intel

Starquest

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Almost every ancient culture observed the stars and saw pictures in the patterns. Studying stars allowed them to guide travelers, determine when to plant crops, when to harvest food, and the stories surrounding the images include some of...
Lesson Plan
Las Cumbres Observatory

The Cosmic Distance Ladder: Parallax

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Scientists don't have a ruler long enough to measure to the stars, so they rely on math. Scholars learn to calculate the distance from Earth to a star using the parallax method. They use angle measures from different perspectives to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gazing At Cosmic Pinballs

For Teachers K - 1st
Students explore the world of stars. They see that the color of a star tells how hot or cold it is, that stars come in different sizes. and that stars are moving through space. They draw lines connecting start to star.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

See the Stars

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the nighttime sky. In this space science instructional activity, students read the book Maria's Comet and and investigate the sky using their naked eyes. Students compare the view of their naked eyes to the view of a...