Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Carbon Cycle Poster

For Teachers 3rd - 12th Standards
Humans can have a big impact on the environment, specifically the influence they have on the carbon cycle. First, the class will define and discuss each of the earths four major spheres, the biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neither Wind Nor Rain

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Here is another in the interesting series of lessons that use the special State Quarters as a learning tool. This one uses the North Dakota State Quarter. During this lesson, your class learns about the different patterns of erosion, and...
Interactive
PHET

Gravity And Orbits

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Have you ever wanted to turn off gravity? This simulation allows learners to do just that in addition to altering other variables. Scholars can move the sun, Earth, moon, and space station to see how distance affects gravitational pull....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbial Influence on Earth's Systems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners identify the different biogeochemical cycles on Earth. In this biology lesson, students observe microbes under a microscope. They compare and contrast respiration and photosynthesis.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moons Of The Solar System

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate the solar system and its moons. They conduct research in groups to find information. Also the teacher uses models of the planets in order to teach different facts about the solar system through the use of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Practical Illustrations of Astronomical Concepts Relating to the Solar System

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to concepts related to the Solar System. In groups, they participate in an experiment in which they must describe a ray of light and how it travels. They draw a diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is a greenhouse?

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Young scholars experiment to gain understanding of how a greenhouse retains heat.  In this greenhouse lesson, students work with soda bottles and simulate a greenhouse. Young scholars compare data from a vented and intact bottle....
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

The Water Cycle--Model Simulation

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students build a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. They recognize and explain the essential elements of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Demonstrating the Distances of Stars

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the distance from Earth to stars. They create a model to show the arrangement of constellations. They also identify the importance of the parallax effect.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Planets in a Bottle

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students experiment with yeast. In this environmental conditions instructional activity students test the viability of samples of yeast. Students investigate the effects of environmental conditions on the yeast.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Meteorite Mysteries: Building Blocks of Planets

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students simulate the formation of chondrites and asteroids. In this astronomy instructional activity, students demonstrate accretion using balloons and static electricity. They compare and contrast their models to the actual process of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harvesting the New World: Changing Land Uses and Contact Between Cultures in Colonial Times

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders differentiate the Native American and European values. In this world history lesson, 9th graders define colonialism in their own words. They study the effects of epidemics and other diseases to Native American populations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day at the Beach: How to Keep Our Planet Clean

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students write a persuasive essay based on cleaning up the coast and other philanthropic values. In this writing lesson, students determine what is needed in order to keep the planet clean, and offer solutions to the International...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Time Travel to the Edge of the Universe and Back!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the size of the universe and calculate the time to travel to near and distant destinations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Does Global Warming Increase the Intensity of Atmospheric Natural Disasters?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars study global warming by communicating the problem, process and solutions.  In this global lesson plan students use graphs, research and write a critical stance on natural disasters.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mercury, Venus, and Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars learn information about the planets Mercury, Venus, and Earth by playing a trivia game.
Interactive
Curated OER

Planets

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this online interactive planets activity, learners respond to 9 multiple choice and fill in the blank questions regarding the information included in the provided paragraphs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solar System: The Four Inner Planets and Earth's Moon and Astronauts

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders read THe Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System. For this language arts and science lesson, 2nd graders explore the four inner planets. Students view the inner planets using Google Earth.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating the Dynamic Martian Polar Caps

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students download NASA Hubble Space Telescope images of the Martian polar ice caps in summer and winter, and measure and compare various images of the changing Martian and Earth polar ice caps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solar System

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners explore planets of the solar system, write reports, and create dioramas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing The Gulf Stream

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders research the average temperatures of different places on Earth. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders explain how the sun's heat cause ocean movement. They discuss how temperature change affects the weather we experience.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Planets: Comparatives and Superlatives

For Students 3rd - 5th
In this ESL activity worksheet, students practice using comparatives and superlatives as they respond to 7 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clay Planets

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Learners create scale models of the planets out of clay and compare them to the real planets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Inner Planets

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research characteristics of the planets and record their findings on Planet Web worksheet. They create fold paper to create a foldable booklet to display the information they discover about the planets.