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Calculating Orbital Speeds
Students are introduced to the regularities of planetary motion. They create a spreadsheet to calculate the speed of any orbiting body at apogee and perigee. Students then use the spreadsheet to compare the speeds of planets, moons,...
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Where in the World is..?: An ecological study
Students analyze different ecosystems from the perspective of someone from another planet. They compare different ecosystems to determine which would be suitable to inhabit. This is an interdisciplinary activity.
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Our Solar System
Sixth graders use the internet to examine the different bodies in space. In groups, they select one project they want to complete and are given a timeline for when the sections are due. To end the lesson, they present their information...
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Mission Planning: Earth/Mars Comparisons
Students compare and contrast conditions on Mars to those on our own planet, specifically, their local or regional environments. The physical characteristics, the atmosphere, and other astronomical data is considered.
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Fresh or Salty?
Students explore water bodies on the planet Earth and their various uses and qualities. They examine several ways that engineers are working to maintain and conserve water sources and think about their role in water conservation....
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Mother Earth - Father Sky
Third graders research and write about Cyrus Dillan. They explain one of Dillan's sculptures. Students locate six constellations and two planets. They research and write about the daily life of the Pawnee.
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As the World Turns
Third graders read books and participate in class discussions about the motion of the stars and planets and moons in relation to the Earth. In small groups, 3rd graders act out these movements to music.
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Once In a Blue Moon
Students review the characteristics of the planets and their moons. Using the internet, they research the relationship between the Earth and its moons. They take a template of the moon and draw craters of different colors to present to...
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The Urban Explosion
Students investigate the uncontrolled development of the world's major cities. They define key vocabulary terms, view and discuss video excerpts, and complete a project that involves drawing a "perfect city," developing a plan to...
PBS
Robo Arm
Future engineers create robotic arms like those on rovers built by NASA in the second instructional activity of the series. They test their devices by attempting to pick up and move cups to a specified location.
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Kids Astronomy
In this astronomy word scramble worksheet, students examine the 16 letter groupings and use the decoder to help them reveal the 16 astronomy terms listed at the bottom of the worksheet,
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Journey To The Solar System
Third graders engage in a activity to find different facts and connect them to the concept of the solar system. They conduct research using the technology integration of the internet. Using the information the students create a classroom...
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Global Warming Investigation Guide
Learners expllore the issue of global warming. They investigate how temperature changes naturally over time and by location. In addition, they explore the different areas where human activities might be affecting
climate and write a...
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Saturn Flip
Middle schoolers work together to create a presentation on Saturn. They use the internet to gather information and must include illustrations. They create an assessment to give to their classmates after their presentation.
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Postcards From Mars
Fifth graders research and explore what life would be like for human colonists on Mars. They explore various websites, read and discuss newspaper articles, develop a chart of the hardships and conditions that would be faced by colonists...
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Remote Sensing
Students research the Earth's ocean systems. They examine the impact of global warming on the oceans and the world as a whole.
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Biosphere II
Students continue their examination of the existence of life on Earth. In groups, they determine the role of the water cycle and other biogeochemical cycles play in keeping balance on Earth. They participate in experiments to discover...
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Earth's Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere
High schoolers investigate the magnitude of Earth's magnetic field using PASCO. In this physics lesson, students describe the features of the magnetosphere. They explain how atmosphere layers protect the Earth.
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Build a Space Shuttle
Students explore the concept of space. In this space lesson, students pretend to be aerospace engineers. Students build space ships out of cardboard tubes. Students discuss what aerospace engineers do. Students model their space ships...
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Creating Craters
Students explore parts of an impact crater and compare and contrast craters found in Earth, the Moon, and Mars. Crater formation is modelled and the relationship of mass, velocity, and size of the projectile to the crater formation is...
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Land of Plenty, Land of Want
Students view a video about the state of the environment. They discover the topic of sustainable agriculture. They identify problems and how to solve them.
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Asteroids!
Students explore how to visually identify asteroids in SDSS images. They are able to explain that stars are so far away that they do not appear to move, even over the course of a human lifespan. Students identify the location of most...
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Carbon Dioxide
Students conduct a series of experiments to explore carbon dioxide properties. In this chemistry lesson, students explain the production and uses of this gas. They measure its amount in soda and waste product of yeast.
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The Sun in Our Lives
Third graders identify the different parts of the sun. In this astronomy lesson plan, 3rd graders examine how the sun's energy drive life processes on Earth. They construct a model of a solar system using large rolls of toilet paper.