This is a lesson about how to answer a scientific or engineering question. Learners will refine the scientific question they generated in Lesson 5 so that it can be answered by data and/or modeling, brainstorm possible solutions for the scientific... (View More) question chosen, determine reasonableness of solutions, use concept maps to enhance meaningful learning. The lesson uses the 5E instructional model and includes: TEKS Details (Texas Standards alignment), Essential Question, Science Notebook, Vocabulary Definitions for Students, Vocabulary Definitions for Teachers, two Vocabulary Cards, and a concept map supplement. This is lesson 6 of the Mars Rover Celebration Unit, a six week long curriculum. (View Less)

This is a lesson about ice worlds in the outer planetary regions and the role they play in understanding the Solar System. Learners will role-play stories connecting science-related literature to ice worlds, view and interpret space-based images of... (View More) ice worlds, and investigate surface and interior features of outer planetary ice worlds. Photometry and spectroscopy will be used as background. Activities include small group miming, speaking, drawing, and/or writing. This is the lesson 11 of 12 in the unit, Exploring Ice in the Solar System. (View Less)

This is a lesson about the energy output of the Sun. Learners will consider the essential question, "How much energy does sunlight provide to the Earth and what is its role in the Earth’s energy resources?" Activities include building a device to... (View More) measure the solar constant - the amount of energy in sunlight - calculating the amount of energy arriving at the Earth from the Sun, and describing the differences in solar radiation at Mercury compared to Earth. This is activity 1 of 4 in the module, Staying Cool. Note: the student guide starts on p. 21 of the PDF. (View Less)

This is an activity about observation. Learners will make a 3-dimensional model of a mock planetary surface inside a box, and then place a lid on top. They will then introduce a simple probe, such as a pencil or stick, at various points through... (View More) regularly-placed holes in the box top to touch the surface below. Then, they will record the depth at which the probe descends, using the data to make a contour map of its surface. This will help learners see how scientists can research objects which are not easily studied strictly by visual means. This is Activity C-7 of Universe at Your Fingertips 2.0: A Collection of Activities and Resources for Teaching Astronomy DVD-ROM, which is available for purchase. (View Less)

This is an activity about observation. Learners will make a 3-dimensional model of a mock planetary surface inside a box, and then place a lid on top. They will then introduce a simple probe, such as a pencil or stick, at various points through... (View More) regularly-placed holes in the box top to touch the surface below. Then, they will record the depth at which the probe descends, using the data to make a contour map of its surface. This will help learners see how scientists can research objects which are not easily studied strictly by visual means. This is Actividad 3.4 as part of El Universo a Sus Pies, a Spanish-language curriculum, available for purchase. (View Less)

This is an activity about the apparent motions of Venus as seen from Earth. Learners will make a 3-D model using themselves, a light source, and a small white ball to visually understand Venus's orbital cycle and why it can sometimes can be seen in... (View More) the morning, at night, or not at all. This is Actividad 3.3 as part of El Universo a Sus Pies, a Spanish-language curriculum, available for purchase. (View Less)

This is an activity about the apparent motions of Venus as seen from Earth. Learners will make a 3-D model using themselves, a light source, and a small white ball to visually understand Venus's orbital cycle and why it can sometimes can be seen in... (View More) the morning, at night, or not at all. This is Activity C-6 of Universe at Your Fingertips 2.0: A Collection of Activities and Resources for Teaching Astronomy DVD-ROM, which is available for purchase. (View Less)