This 2-3 week module, based on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Cassini mission to Saturn, uses the mission as a context for learning fundamental science/math concepts. It consists of six standards-based, constructivist lessons, enrichment activities, and supplemental material such as questions and answers, a glossary, and a chart of Cassini's position in the sky. Full description.

In this lesson plan students will learn the basics about how tornadoes are formed, and where and when they are most likely to occur. They will then study the current research on tornadoes and explore how scientists are trying to predict them. They will learn about the equipment storm chasers use to study tornadoes and will develop their own research plans. Full description.

This online multidisciplinary project is part of the Center for Improved Engineering and Science Education (CIESE) program, which has developed internet activities for the elementary, middle, and high school level student. It utilizes both real time data and primary source materials to help guide students to discover the science and history of the Gulf Stream. Students investigate the driving forces ... Full description.

Imagine the Universe is dedicated to discussion about the universe, how it is evolving, and the kinds of objects and phenomena it contains. The site is intended for students age 14 and up and is a service of NASA's High-Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC). Contained within this site are explanations of the concepts and principles used to study and understand the universe, ... Full description.

This resource covers basic astronomy, Newtonian mechanics, the Sun and related topics (weather, electromagnetic waves, nuclear energy), and space flight. The material stresses space applications, history, and intuitive content, and includes a brief refresher course on algebra and trigonometry. It is also available in Spanish. Full description.

This set of lessons provides teachers with ideas on how to turn their schoolyards into a rich geologic experience that students will find familiar, easily accessible, and personally relevant. The three lesson plans feature materials on mapping, rock descriptions and geologic interpretations, ages of rocks, and dinosaur tracks. Lesson 1, "Map Your Schoolyard," teaches students what maps are, what they ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the DiscoverySchool.com lesson plan library for grades 6-8. It focuses on how earthquake-proof buildings are designed. Students build a tester, then model buildings to test and see what factors make a building more earthquake-proof than others. Included are objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, suggested readings, and vocabulary. There ... Full description.

In this lesson plan students will learn about the varying heights of ocean waves and what causes the variation. They will begin by learning the parts of a wave, and then discuss the meaning of wave height and wavelength in terms of various points of reference. A demonstration will spark discussion about how geography affects wave heights, and will allow students to experiment with various forces to ... Full description.

This Classroom Connectors lesson plan teaches young students about the kinds of environmental concerns that confront communities. Students learn to define environment, list community concerns, and formulate possible solutions to these problems. The site provides goals, objectives, an outline, time required, materials, activities, and closure ideas for the lesson. The Classroom Connectors address content ... Full description.

This lesson plan is part of the discoveryschool.com lesson plan library for grades 9-12. This lesson focuses on desert ecology, geography, and development, with an emphasis on desertification and what can be done to prevent it. It includes objectives, materials, procedures, discussion questions, evaluation ideas, performing extensions, suggested readings, and vocabulary. There are videos available ... Full description.