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Finding the Spot
Fourth graders use circles to "home in" on particular spots, showing the ability of scientists to locate unseen objects in space. This activity shows how scientists know certain objects exist in space due to the forces exerted by...
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Human Factors
Learners design a space settlement for colonizing a planet in our solar system. In small groups, they play a space colony game and read an article about human needs in space to prepare for the design stage. They discuss their design...
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Satellite Mobiles
Students discuss satellites and their functions. They design and construct their own satellite out of readily available materials. Students are taught the definition of a satellite. They discuss the two main purposes of satellites:...
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Cape Canaveral: Launchpad to the Stars
Students identify the geographic and climatic characteristics of Florida that made it the best location for the space program. They describe how the space program affected the economy and growth of the eastern coast of Florida.
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Air: You Can't See It, But It's There!
First graders investigate that air occupies space by performing experiments that show this principle. Students are provided with a lunch bag. Students open the lunch bag and look inside. Students determine if there is anything in their...
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Cargo Activity Practice
Students examine the cargo load that is needed during the simulation of a space rescue mission. They brainstorm in order to think of possible things needed onboard in storage. Then students create an inventory list that includes water...
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Discover the Planets
Third graders research the planets. For this science lesson, 3rd graders create PowerPoint presentations over a planet. Students present their findings.
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Voyage: A Journey through our Solar System
Students build the Voyage scale model of the Solar System on a playground and "travel" to each planet. They recognize that the Sun and planets are tiny worlds in a vast space, giving them a new perspective on the Solar System, and...
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There's More to Light than Meets the Eye
Students explore the concept that not all light is visible to the
human eye. Although UV light is not visible, it can still be harmful, causing sunburns or skin cancer. They use special beads to detect UV light around the school....
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Digestive System
Students analyze how the digestive system works by taking the food we eat and breaking it down for our bodies to use for various reasons. They list the major components of the digestive system and draw a diagram. They explain how...
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Matter: Solids Liquids and Gases
Young scholars participate in a science experiment to understand that matter takes up space. In this matter instructional activity, students experiment with solids, liquids and gases to recognize that matter is everywhere. Young...
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How Do We Explore Strange Environments?
Students identify and label the different parts of a robot, rover, or a spacecraft. They discuss and record all of the features their robot will need to accomplish its mission and be able to explain why they chose these features to...
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The Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF)
Students design an experiment for NASA's STEREO/IMPACT mission to measure the interplanetary magnetic field. This lesson plan includes 3 excellent hands-on and critical thinking activities in which students explore magnetism in the solar...
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Matter
Students recognize that some changes to matter are reversible and some are not. In this matter lesson, students experiment a physical and chemical change. Students record experiment results in their science journals. Students act...
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Gravity Launch
Young scholars examine how gravity affects launching rockets into space. In this physical science lesson, students review the concept of gravity and use an interactive online site, "Gravity Launch," to simulate a rocket launch.
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Probing Our Solar System
Third graders engage in a lesson utilizing small group activities and individual work incorporating student research on space satellites, probes and international connections. They, in groups, construct information disks, timelines, and...
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Rocks and the Rock Cycle
Students investigate the 3 types of rocks and the rock cycle. In this rocks and minerals lesson, students watch YouTube videos about igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Students examine a rock and mineral kit while watching the...
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Fighting Back!
Fifth graders inspect the basic functions of the immune system and determine how viruses and bacteria invade the immune system. They also explore what happens to the immune system in outer space.
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Mixtures of Matter
Students experiment with solids and liquids. In this mixtures of matter lesson, students combine matter to form solutions. Students hypothesize, test, and analyze the data to draw conclusions. The lesson can be extended by having...
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The Earth Around Us: Air, Water & Soil
Students build an air cannon and study air mass. In this air cannon lesson, students create and shoot an air cannon and observe what happens. Students answer critical thinking questions about air mass and air cannons.
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Cooler in the Shadows
Students explore Earth science by creating a scale model in class. In this shadow lesson, students research the impact the sun has on Earth shadows and complete a space science worksheet. Students create models of the Sun and Earth and...
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The Magic School Bus Out of This World
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students explore craters that objects of different sizes and weights (marbles, Ping-Pong balls, and aluminum foil balls) create.
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Solar System Differentiation
Students explore the solar system. In this solar system science lesson plan, students choose 3 out of 12 centers to visit, each of which contains an activity related to the planets. The station activities are designed to address...
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Mixtures of Matter
Students experiment with mixtures of matter. In this matter lesson, students investigate which liquids form a solution when mixed together and which do not. Students also identify which solids can be separated from matter.