We owe our lives to gravity. It holds the atmosphere to Earth …
We owe our lives to gravity. It holds the atmosphere to Earth and keeps us all from falling off into space. Not to mention that without gravity, the stars and planets—including Earth—wouldn't even exist! This Moveable Museum article, available as a nine-page printable PDF file, introduces the key concepts of gravity, orbits, weight, and weightlessness.
In this simulation students will move the sun, earth, moon and space …
In this simulation students will move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!
This video segment, adapted from NOVA, traces the evolving history of theories …
This video segment, adapted from NOVA, traces the evolving history of theories about gravity and a force that may oppose it, along with our understanding of the impact of both of these forces on our expanding universe.
Explore how the Earth's atmosphere affects the energy balance between incoming and …
Explore how the Earth's atmosphere affects the energy balance between incoming and outgoing radiation. Using an interactive model, adjust realistic parameters such as how many clouds are present or how much carbon dioxide is in the air, and watch how these factors affect the global temperature.
In this video adapted from Bullfrog Films, GwichŰ__Ű__Çin Chief Evon Peter of …
In this video adapted from Bullfrog Films, GwichŰ__Ű__Çin Chief Evon Peter of Arctic Village, Alaska, describes his people's connection to the caribou and their passion to protect Alaska Native land and traditions.
Through ongoing partnership with teachers across New York City, New Visions has …
Through ongoing partnership with teachers across New York City, New Visions has developed this course map for a high school biology course fully designed to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and the New York State Science Learning Standards (NYSSLS). Each unit follows a common structure: students engage with an anchor phenomenon and develop questions; go through sequences of learning and sense-making to develop and iterate on answers to those questions; then complete a three-dimensional performance task.
This article highlights science and literacy lessons to teach elementary students about …
This article highlights science and literacy lessons to teach elementary students about erosion, glaciers, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Links to national standards are included.
In this video segment adapted from United Tribes Technical College, meet Native …
In this video segment adapted from United Tribes Technical College, meet Native Americans who are concerned about climate change and believe that action today can help future generations once again live in harmony with Earth.
This informational text introduces students to Mt. Erebus, a volcano located on …
This informational text introduces students to Mt. Erebus, a volcano located on Ross Island, just off the coast of Antarctica. Mt. Erebus is the world's southernmost active volcano. Students in grades 4-5 read about Dr. Philip Kyle, a scientist with the Mt. Erebus Volcano Observatory (MEVO). The text is written at a grade four through grade five reading level. This version is a full-color PDF that can be printed, cut and folded to form a book. Each book contains color photographs and illustrations.
Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy …
Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail and related to the real world. They learn about the many ways solar energy is used as a renewable energy source to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses and operating costs. Students also explore ways in which a device can capitalize on the methods of heat transfer to produce a beneficial result. They are given the tools to calculate the heat transferred between a system and its surroundings.
This is an activity about utilizing proportional mathematics to determine the height …
This is an activity about utilizing proportional mathematics to determine the height of lunar features. Learners will use the length of shadows to calculate the height of some of the lunar features. This activity is Astronomy Activity 6 in a larger resource entitled Space Update.
This series of visual presentations illustrates common physics principles across vastly different …
This series of visual presentations illustrates common physics principles across vastly different scales, using human-scale photographs, earth science and astrophysics imagery. The products look at such topics as shadows, wind, bow waves and collisionally-excited gas. The intent is to show how familiar processes on Earth are connected to more exotic and less well-known phenomena across the Universe. These laws apply here (in daily life), there (around Earth and the Solar System), and everywhere (throughout the cosmos). The poster set is part of the Here, There, Everywhere (HTE) collection.
This video segment adapted from Interactive NOVA profiles two scientists who were …
This video segment adapted from Interactive NOVA profiles two scientists who were surprised in 1984 to discover a hole in our atmosphere's ozone layer as big as the United States.
This informational text explores how and why igloos are built and how …
This informational text explores how and why igloos are built and how ice can act as an insulator. The test is at a reading level appropriate for fourth through fifth grades. It is a pdf file that includes only the text and a glossary.
This resource shows how generations of explorers have taken us, step by …
This resource shows how generations of explorers have taken us, step by step, further into the expanse of the universe. Using photographs and text, this resource takes readers out of our solar system, into the realm of the stars, the galaxies, and finally the vast panorama of the observable universe.
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students reflect on their personal energy use, make …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students reflect on their personal energy use, make a bar graph to analyze data from the class, and create a conservation poster for display.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson is suitable to build the capacity of students to understand energy sources and what they can power, to compute and audit their daily energy consumption, to share their energy footprint in group activities, and to raise awareness on energy consumption to a wide audience by creating a conservation poster. This lesson has passed our science review process and is recommended for classroom use.
POSITIVES: -This lesson includes using a spreadsheet to create a bar graph. This may be the first time students learn this skill. -Creating a conservation poster is a great way for students to feel empowered to take immediate climate action.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -This is lesson 2 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy unit. -When you are collecting data for the spreadsheets and graphs, some students may respond that they spent 1,440 minutes using energy (which is the total amount of minutes in a day) due to use of electricity for refrigerators or the heating and cooling of their homes. Although true, having multiple data points of 1,440 minutes is not useful. Have them come up with a lower estimate.
DIFFERENTIATION: -Some students may have difficulty with data entry when adding numbers to their spreadsheet. It may be best to create groups of students so they can check each other's progress to make sure it is correct. -It may be best to allow students to create conservation posters individually or with a partner. -Some students may want to create conservation posters using digital tools like Canva or Adobe Spark.
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students advocate for renewable energy in their schools …
SYNOPSIS: In this lesson, students advocate for renewable energy in their schools and communities.
SCIENTIST NOTES: This lesson introduces students to understand the importance of renewable energy and how they can advocate for energy and climate justice in their community. All materials embedded in the lesson are thoroughly sourced. Accordingly, this lesson is recommended for classroom use.
POSITIVES: -Students transform into activists in this final lesson in the unit. -Students are able to engage with community stakeholders outside of the classroom.
ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITES: -This is lesson 6 of 6 in our 3rd-5th grade Renewable Energy unit. -It may be difficult to figure out how much renewable energy exists in your community or how much of your local electrical grid is powered by renewable energy. Your students could explore this interactive map from the EPA showing all energy infrastructure and resources. -If you or your students do not know how to focus your activism, you can advocate for rooftop solar panels on your school if it makes sense. -Support your students appropriately if they would like to take this project to the next level. Perhaps they could continue their activism before school, at recess, or after school. It may be nice to ask some of your fellow teachers to also support their efforts. -This lesson plan might lead to the founding of a student activism group!
DIFFERENTIATION: -There are many options for differentiation in this unit. Students can work individually or in groups as they design their own activism. -Quieter students may want to write a letter to share their thoughts. -More extroverted students may want to deliver a speech to a school or community leader or sit down with them for a one-on-one discussion.
This is an activity about ultraviolet light. Learners will make ultraviolet light …
This is an activity about ultraviolet light. Learners will make ultraviolet light detector bracelets and use them to experiment with artificial light and sunlight. Then, they experiment with various sun-blocking materials to see how such materials impact the beads' absorption of ultraviolet light. Special UV detecting beads are required for this activity. This is Activity 3 of the Sun As a Star afterschool curriculum.
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