Lesson Plan
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Destination Red Planet

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore reasons why people are interested in exploring other planets. After reading an article, they identify developments in the mission to Mars. Using the internet, they research the history of exploring Mars and create a...
Lesson Plan
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Planetary Profiles

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the characteristics of the planets and moons in the solar system. They create profiles of the nine planets in the solar system and present a written and oral report about a planet.
Lesson Plan
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Blue Planet: Seasonal Seas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study and research marine invertebrates.  In this marine activity students create an illustrated report and help complete a class exhibit. 
Lesson Plan
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Blue Planet: Tidal Seas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate how tides affect sea life. In this video based lesson, students view a video on how tides affect sea life. They do web-based research to find the answers to a series of questions and then play Tidal Trivia to test...
Lesson Plan
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The Sun in Our Lives

For Teachers 3rd
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.
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Blue Planet: Frozen Seas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars study the animals from the Arctic and how they have adapted.  For this ocean lesson students create a poster about their given animal and present it to the class. 
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Earth Rotation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the rotation of the Earth as it occurs in the 24 hour cycle. They use models of planets and the globe to make observations of movements made. Students brainstorm prior knowledge and then participate in a demonstration of...
Lesson Plan
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Measurement of Biotic and Abiotic Objects

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students identify biotic and abiotic factors. In this environmental study lesson plan, students conduct a series of experiments to collect and record data and draw conclusions based on the results. 
Lesson Plan
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We Are Lunar tics!

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders, working in cooperative groups, will create a multimedia presentation about the Earth's moon. Their research must be presented through three or more methods. (i.e. charts; graphs; oral reports; multi-media; dramatic role...
Lesson Plan
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Mars: Off the Charts--Until You Put It There

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils explore the night sky and make illustrations which are shared in class the next day. Distinctions are made between the stars and the planets and views of the constellations for the season are made available. The work of early...
Lesson Plan
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Discovering Planet X

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils investigate the movements of the planet Pluto. Students participate in a hands-on activity to record data similar to the movements of the planet Pluto. Pupils compare their data to that found on a website.
Lesson Plan
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The Impact

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners study inventions and the impact they have had on people.  For this investigative lesson students learn how inventions are created and take part in a design project that will allow them to solve problems. 
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Physics The Earth and Beyond

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders will explore our solar system. In this physics lesson students create a model of the solar system to explore the movement of Earth, the Sun, and stars.
Lesson Plan
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Planet Impact

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars use their knowledge to crash a comet into Jupiter or make a comet fly past the planet without colliding with it.
Lesson Plan
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Planet Oit!

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders use this game to find minerals given rocks and outcrops in a plausible (but not real) geologic setting. They play without outside encouragement for hours as the world is fun to explore and the scoring system encourages...
Lesson Plan
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What Role Do Forest Play in Continuing or Renewing Our Planet's Resources?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the interaction between the forest and wildlife. In this forestry lesson, students collect data about forest ecosystems, species of trees, photosynthesis, and interaction of organisms. They prepare a lab activity...
Lesson Plan
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The Earth's Rotation

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students see a model of a globe to watch the Earth rotate. In this Earth lesson plan, students rotate the globe and shine a flashlight to see where the sun shines and how it rises and sets. They create a diagram and explain day and night...
Lesson Plan
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Earth's Revolution and Rotation

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders investigate the regular motions of the sun, Earth and the moon and explain how these are related to days, years, seasons, eclipses, tides and moon cycles. They participate in an exercise where they explore the...
Lesson Plan
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Gravity In The Universe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students assess and explore gravity in the Universe via several short video lessons. They analyze why this science matters and the history of Sir Isaac Newton's law of gravity. A variety of questions are asked within this lesson for each...
Lesson Plan
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Timing the Tides

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students collect data and describe how and why the high and low tides change from day to day.  In exploring tides lesson students study tides by taking notes, recording data and analyzing their findings. 
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Stranded Along The Coast

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students reflect and investigate how a seacoast is the dynamic border between two worlds-the terrestrial and the marine. In the realm of life science, we can observe marine animals that inhabit the shoreline and tidepools. In the realm...
Lesson Plan
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The Energy Trail

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students examine the relationship between the products they use and energy use. Using the internet, they identify the role that manufacturing plays in using energy and the emissions that change the climate. They discover the steps to...
Lesson Plan
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Simple and Complex Machines Used In Agriculture

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore agriculture and the current technologies and research that continue to make Earth a viable planet. This four lessons unit introduce students to simple machines and the concepts of force and friction through a variety of...
Lesson Plan
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Materials, Let's Do the Life Cycle

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils examine environmental and social impacts of products that consumers buy. In this environmental stewardship instructional activity, students play a game that requires them to consider real costs of products. Pupils consider the...