Students create a three-dimensional model of the Earth and Moon to show the different phases of the moon as they appear on Earth. In small groups, they draw a diagram for a phase, set up the model in the drawn positions then test it with...

Students use foam packing pieces to represent molecular positioning inside the four layers of earth's atmosphere. This lesson help students visualize that molecules become thinner as one ascends higher in the atmosphere.

Students explore water bodies on the planet Earth and their various uses and qualities. They examine several ways that engineers are working to maintain and conserve water sources and think about their role in water conservation....

Learners gain appreciation of the vastness of our galaxy by viewing an applet about the Milky Way. Students hypothesize about how long it would take to get from Earth to Pluto.

Tenth graders discuss the techniques and tools scientists use to study about the earth, including techniques used to determine geological time scales. They share their personal experiences of earthquakes and volcanoes.

Students are introduced to remote sensing equipment used to gather information about the moon. They learn basic facts about the moon such as size, landforms, temperature and gravitational influence on the earth's tides.

Students explain how Hipparchus, around 130 BC, used a shift in the predicted location of a lunar eclipse to detect a slight shift in the path of the Sun around the sky. They examine the elliptical orbit in which the Earth travels around...

Students explore the most dangerous volcanoes on Earth, plot their locations, and research different volcanic hazards.

Students explore the size of our Universe by understanding how long it takes to travel around from object to object in it - even if you travel at the speed of light! In making our exploration, we will examine ways of measuring distance,...

Students apply what they recall about objects in motion by animati ng sequences of pictures that model a set of physical conditions. They animate the orbital motions of the Earth, the space shuttle, and the Moon based on calculations of...

Learners design and build models of nine life support systems which are crucial to our successful settlement of the Moon. Each team must define the requirements of their system, exploring how these requirements are currently being met on...

Middle schoolers investigate the cycles of solar activity. They plot the solar activity and use the graph to answer a number of questions and explain the relationship between the solar storms and sunspots and the impact on earth and...

Learners participate in a hands-on demonstration of the communication between the EUVE satellite and a scientist on Earth.

Students examine total eclipses of the Sun and their limited regions of totality. They explain that this limited view occurs because the Moon is close enough to us for different points on Earth to view it differently.

Students discover how astronomers used the diameter of the Earth's orbit around the Sun as a baseline for estimating the distance of some stars, and the meaning of "Parsec" and "light year."

Students study the water quality of a stream in their area, by measuring the temperature, pH, alkalinity and conductivity. They integrate biology with earth science when using the microscope to study the living organisms in the water.

Young scholars study classification schemes for identifying sunspots. They distinguish between sunspot unbrae and penunbrae, measure sunspots, and compare them to the size of the Earth. They complete a worksheet showing classification of...

Students explain the cause of and effects of fluid shift in a microgravity environment. Students identify the effects of microgravity during long duration space flight. Students describe research on cardiovascular effects in microgravity...

Eighth graders recognize the some day humans may wish to colonize Mars. They participate in an Internet adventure where they compare and contrast Earth to the other nine planets in the solar system.

Seventh graders create a model of an earth centered solar system and a model of the sun centered solar system. As a class, they discuss why the earlier astronomers believed their model and why it changed when evidence arose that this...

First graders analyze the seasons and cycles of the Earth. In groups, they create a seasons book on the computer using their own photographs and graphics. Using the photographs, they note the differences in clothing and activities. They...

Students place words describing a range from cold to hot on a scale. Using those words, they identify places on Earth which are cold, hot, freezing or boiling. They practice using and reading a thermometer with three different beakers...

Fifth graders use the internet to research a plant or animal they read about in "The Talking Earth". Using notes, they develop a graphic organizer and use the main topics to create a HyperStudio stack. Using all of this information,...