This is an activity about the relative sizes of the Earth and …
This is an activity about the relative sizes of the Earth and the Moon and the distance between them. Learners will inflate a balloon to the approximate size of the moon in relation to a standard globe. They will then hypothesize as to the correct distance between the two and begin to calculate angular size. This is Astronomy Activity 1 in a larger resource, Space Update.
This magnetism teacher‰Ûªs guide is one of four activity guides‰ÛÓplus a background …
This magnetism teacher‰Ûªs guide is one of four activity guides‰ÛÓplus a background guide for teachers‰ÛÓthat provide students with the opportunity to build on science concepts related to Earth‰Ûªs magnetism and its changes, as detected by THEMIS magnetometers located in schools across the U.S. The four activity guides have been used in different types of classes, from physical science and physics classes, to geology classes and astronomy classes. The excitement of actually participating in the THEMIS project helps motivate the students to learn challenging physical science concepts.
The background guide for teachers, the THEMIS GEONS Users Guide describes the important role that terrestrial magnetism plays in shaping a number of important Earth systems. It also explains the basic operating principles behind magnetometers‰ÛÓparticularly the system you are now in the process of using to investigate magnetic storms at your school.
Earth‰Ûªs Magnetic Personality is the fourth and final guide, which was developed with the goal that students can work directly with the THEMIS magnetometer data. The guide covers vectors, the x-y-z magnetometer plots, creating a prediction for aurora using the magnetometer data, calculating the total magnetic field strength and observing it over months, and the waves in Earth‰Ûªs magnetic field excited by large magnetic storms.
In this activity, learners draw a circle with a single focus, an …
In this activity, learners draw a circle with a single focus, an ellipse with two foci close together, and an ellipse with two foci far apart, and compare the shapes. Learners then measure the Sun in four images each taken in a different season, comparing the apparent size of the Sun in each image to determine when Earth is closest to the Sun. This is the second activity in the SDO Secondary Learning Unit. The activity is reprinted with permission from the Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS).
In this self-paced tutorial, learners examine data to determine the relative contribution …
In this self-paced tutorial, learners examine data to determine the relative contribution of what we call natural climate cycles and that of human-caused greenhouse gases to contemporary climate change. Changes in the Earth-Sun geometry over time are explored using interactive digital applets. A section supporting pedagogical techniques that begin with student prior conceptions and a list of common Earth science student misconceptions are included. Vocabulary terms are hot linked to a glossary. This is the sixth of ten self-paced professional development modules providing opportunities for teachers to learn about climate change through first-hand data exploration.
Each year, Earth makes a complete trip around the Sun! Learn about …
Each year, Earth makes a complete trip around the Sun! Learn about our planet’s journey and important points along its orbit. Visit the two websites listed to find clues to solve this crossword puzzle!
This tutorial provides the evidence that the amount of COå_ in the …
This tutorial provides the evidence that the amount of COå_ in the atmosphere has not been as high as it is currently for nearly half a million years and that this increase corresponds with data that human activity is responsible. Learners examine scientific data showing increases in both atmospheric becomes COå_ and the Earth's average temperature and analyze changes in atmospheric concentration of COå_ over time. They reflect on some of the barriers involved in teaching global climate change and how using data in the classroom may be used to overcome those barriers. Multimedia resources such as video clips, a data visualization exercise featuring digital resources on climate.nasa.gov, and an interview with NASA climate scientist, Dr. Gavin Schmidt, are included. This is the second of ten self-paced professional development modules providing opportunities for teachers to learn about climate change through first-hand data exploration. Lesson plans for middle and high school students, descriptions of data collection instruments, glossary links to vocabulary are included.
This lesson will help students understand the cultural nature of scientific research. …
This lesson will help students understand the cultural nature of scientific research. Students explore famous scientists, their theories, places of origin, and their culture. They document scientific viewpoints of famous scientists throughout history and discuss geographical region, culture, gender, and other factors effecting scientific theories and discoveries. This activity helps students understand the cultural nature of scientific research and how people interpret science in different ways based on their social environments. This activity is one of several in the Swift: Eyes through Time collection available on the Teachers' Domain website.
This is a lesson about Saturn. Learners will use drawing and writing …
This is a lesson about Saturn. Learners will use drawing and writing to explore the comparative features of Saturn and Earth. To scaffold student writing, the lesson includes a drawing activity, a brainstorming activity, a structured Cloze activity, and a chance for independent writing where students create their own analogies. This is lesson 6 of 10 in the Mission to Saturn Educators Guide, Reading Writing Rings, for grades 1-2.
The students will be able to identify concepts that guide scientific investigations, …
The students will be able to identify concepts that guide scientific investigations, recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models by the end of this activity.
This is a children's science story about gravity (title translated: The World …
This is a children's science story about gravity (title translated: The World of Copocuqu: Queen Gravity and King Mass). Learners will read about the force of gravity and how it relates to the mass of a body. The story takes place in an asteroid in which all its inhabitants talk in the form of questions or the world of Copoqucu. The story ends with a magic secret (or learning capsule), which reflects in synopsis the science message that the child would take with him or her.
This is an activity about magnetic induction. Learners will induce a flow …
This is an activity about magnetic induction. Learners will induce a flow of electricity in a wire using a moving bar magnet and measure this flow using a galvanometer, or Am meter. Through discussion, this activity can then be related to magnetic fields in nature. This activity requires use of a galvanometer, bar or cow magnet, and wire. This is the fifth lesson in the second session of the Exploring Magnetism teacher guide.
This is an activity about electromagnetism and the Sun. First, learners will …
This is an activity about electromagnetism and the Sun. First, learners will do a KWL activity using six vocabulary words. Next, they will build an electromagnet and investigate how it works. Finally, learners will relate the workings of their electromagnet to a Solar Dynamics Observatory magnetogram image of the Sun. Per group of learners, this activity requires materials such as a length of insulated wire, alligator clips, a 2-D-battery holder, two D-batteries, and a nail.
This is a hands-on lab activity about the chemical composition and conductivity …
This is a hands-on lab activity about the chemical composition and conductivity of water. Working in groups, learners will: conduct an experiment involving the process of electrolysis, prepare an experiment to better understand the process of ion exchange, discuss and research the "softness" and "hardness" of water, and use the periodic table to identify elements and learn their characteristics. Background information, a glossary and more is included. Materials needed for each student group include a 9-volt battery, two electrodes (e.g. copper strips, or two #2 pencils sharpened at both ends), electrical wire and glass beakers or ceramic saucers. This activity is part of the Aquarius Hands-on Laboratory Activities.
This book offers an introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum using examples of …
This book offers an introduction to the electromagnetic spectrum using examples of data from a variety of NASA missions and satellite technologies. The 84 problem sets included allow students to explore the concepts of waves, wavelength, frequency, and speed; the Doppler Shift; light; and the energy carried by photons in various bands of the spectrum. Extensive background information is provided which describes the nature of electromagnetic radiation.
In this activity, students construct an analytical spectroscope and analyze the spectrum …
In this activity, students construct an analytical spectroscope and analyze the spectrum produced when various substances are heated or excited with electricity. This activity is part of Unit 2 in the Space Based Astronomy guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessments, extensions, and standards.
In this activity, students study the range of colors in a visible …
In this activity, students study the range of colors in a visible light spectrum created from either a glass prism or holographic diffraction grating. This activity is in unit 2 of the "Space-Based Astronomy" guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessment activities, extensions, and alignment to national education standards.
In this activity, a Whiffleå¨ ball containing a battery-operated buzzer is twirled …
In this activity, a Whiffleå¨ ball containing a battery-operated buzzer is twirled in a circle to demonstrate the Doppler effect.åÊ The demonstration is an illustration of how stellar spectra can be used to measure a star's motion relative to Earth along the line of sight. This activity is part of Unit 2 in the Space Based Astronomy guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessments, extensions, and standards.
Using a paper and tape device, students experience how atoms and molecules …
Using a paper and tape device, students experience how atoms and molecules of gas in Earth‰Ûªs atmosphere absorb electromagnetic energy through resonance. This activity is part of Unit 2 in the Space Based Astronomy guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessments, extensions, and standards.
In this activity, students demonstrate the relationship between wave frequency and energy …
In this activity, students demonstrate the relationship between wave frequency and energy in the electromagnetic spectrum by shaking a rope to identify the relationships. This activity is part of Unit 2 in the Space Based Astronomy guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessments, extensions, and standards.
This is an activity about the properties of electromagnets, which is a …
This is an activity about the properties of electromagnets, which is a crucial underpinning for understanding how magnetic fields are generated in nature, in the surface of the Sun, and in the interior of Earth. Learners will create an electromagnet by letting an electric current flow through a wire to generate a magnetic field, which is then detected using a compass. This activity requires a thin insulated wire, pencil, battery, compass and paper clips. This is Activity 2 of the Magnetism and Electromagnetism teachers guide.
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