Lesson Plan
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Solar System Search

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students learn the names of the nine planets. They are then given a worksheet which they use to identify the planets based on actively listening to the teacher's oral description. This is a great listening activity.
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Try This On For Size!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students view a video to gather information about our solar system. They create models of the planets to scale and place them in scale relative to their distances from the sun. They also visit a planetarium or use the internet to gather...
Lesson Plan
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Solar System Slide Show

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils work in small groups to research a planet in our Solar System in order to compare it to Earth. They examine the planet's size, atmosphere, rotation and revolution periods, temperature, and other attributes. They collect...
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Toilet Paper Solar System

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a model of the distances of the planets in the solar system using sheets of toilet paper and markers. Generally accepted orbital parameters are applied.
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Understanding Distance in Space

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discover the vocabulary used for distances in space and review measurement units and instruments before creating a scale model of the planets. They determine how to calculate the relative distances between the planets using a...
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Alien Pen Pals

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students write a friendly letter to an Alien Pen Pal including details about the planet Earth.
Lesson Plan
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Star Child Astronomy

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students gain understanding of the relationship of Earth within the Solar System. They increase knowlegde of the planets, sun, moon, meteoroids, asteroids and comets.
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Earth, Moon, Mars Balloons

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate size and orbits of Earth, Moon, and Mars. In this space science lesson plan, students will use balloons to show how the size and distance between the planets and satellite compare.
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Earth's Hydrologic Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Learners examine the water cycle. In this hydrologic cycle lesson plan, students follow the provided procedures to demonstrate the how water moves around the planet through the dynamics of the water cycle.
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Blue Planet: Coral Seas

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create a poster about coral reefs. In this oceanography lesson, students teach the class about a given aspect of the coral reefs.  Students create posters with images and facts about this habitat. 
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Navigating a Spacecraft

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students work with a partner to plot the trajectory of a spacecraft traveling between Earth and Mars in the 2018 and returning in 2020. They examine the key factors when planning a mission to and from Mars such as travel time, distances...
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Climate Change

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students explore environmental care by researching the impact of human beings on our planet. In this climate change lesson, students utilize the Internet to read informational text about climate change and the effect it will have on our...
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Changing Faces: A Study of Solar and Planetary Rotation Rates

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students determine rotation rates of a variety of solar system objects using images and the Internet.
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Earth Science Lesson Plans The Proterozoic Era

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the Proterozoic Era. In this geologic time periods lesson plan, students examine the clock of eras charts and listen to a lecture regarding the era.
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Finish the Sentence

For Teachers 7th - 8th
In this finishing sentences worksheet, students read through the sentence parts about the climate change and how to fight against it. Students connect the start of the sentence to the right ending portion of the sentence.
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Matter: Build a Word

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine matter and the periodic table of elements. In this matter lesson, 4th graders discuss atoms and their composition. Students explore the periodic table of elements and use it to spell words out of the elements.
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Energy Inspiration Document and Website Production

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders conduct a web quest to find information on types of energy found in US. In this earth science lesson, 7th graders investigate the environmental consequences of using these resources. They develop a creative presentation...
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Behind the Mission To Mercury

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars assess the goals, benefits, success, and limitations of technology (instruments) on a space mission.
Lesson Plan
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Toxicology and Living Systems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils investigate how toxic chemicals affect biological systems. They determine the toxic dose of a chemical that inhibits seed germination in a Brassica rapa. They investigate the effect of environmental tobacco smoke on human lung...
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Wind and Air Pressure

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners make an anemometer, barometer, and wind catcher to see how wind and air pressure are related. In this wind lesson plan, students use these tools to measure the wind speed.
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Explosive Ideas!

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the layers of the Earth and the dynamic changes that they cause on Earth's surface. Volcanoes and earthquakes become the focus of the lesson as the Oregon State quarter and its Crater Lake images are linked to the topic.
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Outer Space Circus

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students investigate the concept of other planets and conduct research using a variety of resources. They focus upon a planet and its gravitation, surface, and atmospheric conditions. The lesson plan contains specific steps for the...
Lesson Plan
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Our Planet, Earth-Internet Research

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners review the procedure for conducting Internet research and then research the earth--its physical characteristics, components, and cultural folklore regarding the planet. They compile the information they find into a report in...
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Make a Mission

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the terms exploration and technology. They read about the MESSENGER, Mission to Mercury, and answer questions. Next, they design and plan the technology for a space mission using an online interactive activity.