Students identify the actual colors of objects bathed in monochromatic light and …
Students identify the actual colors of objects bathed in monochromatic light and learn how three colors of light can be combined to produce colors ranging from black to white. Students see how space observatories make use of monochromatic filters to collect data on the color of objects in space. The activity is in unit four of the "Space-Based Astronomy" guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessment activities, extensions, and alignment to national education standards.
In this activity, students simulate how light collected from a space object …
In this activity, students simulate how light collected from a space object converts into binary data and reconverts into an image of the object. A pencil and paper activity demonstrates how astronomical spacecraft and computers create images of objects in space. This activity is part of Unit 4 in the Space Based Astronomy guide that contains background information, worksheets, assessments, extensions, and standards.
Students see how surface tension can enable light objects (paper clips, peppercorns) …
Students see how surface tension can enable light objects (paper clips, peppercorns) to float on an island of oil in water, and subsequently sink when the surface tension of the oil/water interface is reduced by the addition of a surfactant; such as ordinary dish soap.
The Drawing Board consists of a marking pen that remains stationary and …
The Drawing Board consists of a marking pen that remains stationary and a platform that swings beneath the pen, acting as a pendulum. As the platform swings, the pen marks a sheet of paper that is fastened to the platform, generating beautiful repetitive patterns. These colorful designs contain hidden lessons in physics. This resource includes instructions for making a large-scale Drawing Board as well.
Students use a compass and a permanent magnet to trace the magnetic …
Students use a compass and a permanent magnet to trace the magnetic field lines produced by the magnet. By positioning the compass in enough spots around the magnet, the overall magnet field will be evident from the collection of arrows representing the direction of the compass needle. In activities 3 and 4 of this unit, students will use this information to design a way to solve the grand challenge of separating metal for a recycling company.
Make a drinking straw rocket. Activity from Weekly STEM in a Bag. …
Make a drinking straw rocket. Activity from Weekly STEM in a Bag. Colorado Americorp agents in Araphahoe, Denver, Garfield, Larimer, and Weld Counties. Work supported by the Corporation for National and Community Service under Americorps grant number 18AFHCO0010008. Opinions or points of view expressed in this lesson are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of or a position that is endorsed by the Corporation or the Americorps program. This resource is also available in Spanish in the linked file.
To demonstrate how unimportant inertia is in plate tectonic problems, as part …
To demonstrate how unimportant inertia is in plate tectonic problems, as part of a lecture, we calculate momentum and moment of inertia of both a supertanker and a plate. A supertanker running into a dock will do more than a million times more damage than a plate. This activity addresses student misconceptions and has a small quantitative component.
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Crea un arcoíris colorido de caramelos utilizando las propiedades de las moléculas …
Crea un arcoíris colorido de caramelos utilizando las propiedades de las moléculas cargadas. 238 / 5,000 Levante las letras de una cáscara de caramelo con agua. Levante las letras de una cáscara de caramelo con agua. Agentes de Colorado Americorp en los condados de Araphahoe, Denver, Garfield, Larimer y Weld. Trabajo apoyado por la Corporación para el Servicio Nacional y Comunitario bajo el número de subvención 18AFHCO0010008 de Americorps. Las opiniones o puntos de vista expresados en esta lección pertenecen a los autores y no representan necesariamente la posición oficial o una posición respaldada por la Corporación o el programa Americorps.
This web page features a collection of Easy Java Simulations developed by …
This web page features a collection of Easy Java Simulations developed by secondary teachers for use in introductory high school physics courses. Topics include astronomy, momentum and collision, projectile motion, Gauss's Law and electric field, special relativity, and more. Each simulation is accompanied by a standards-based lesson plan and printable student guides. Users may run the simulations as a Java applet or may directly download a jar file version. The materials in this collection were created with Easy Java Simulations (EJS), a modeling tool that allows users without formal programming experience to generate computer models and simulations. To modify or customize the model, See Related Materials for detailed instructions on installing and running the EJS Modeling and Authoring Tool. This resource is part of Project ITOP (Improving the Teaching of Physics), a graduate program offered at University of Massachusetts-Boston. The archived computer models are hosted and maintained as part of the BU Physics Simulation collection.
Formative assessment questions using a classroom response system ("clickers") can be used …
Formative assessment questions using a classroom response system ("clickers") can be used to reveal students' spatial understanding. Students are shown this diagram and instructed to "Click within the layer that is entirely liquid."
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This activity is based around Macintosh software that I wrote to display …
This activity is based around Macintosh software that I wrote to display near real-time seismograms in classrooms with projection systems and internet communications. I use the display in courses at all levels, from large non-science courses to advanced graduate courses in seismology. In my introductory course, I have been fortunate to have a room with two projectors and large screens. That allows me to display the seismic monitor on one screen and use the other for that day's material. In smaller advanced courses I often project the real-time display on one screen while I use the chalk board during that part of the class that I use to cover new material. Although you might think that it's rare that an earthquake would occur during any given class, that's not true (have the students estimates the odds using the Gutenberg Richter relation if you doubt it). If needed, you can load specific earthquake signals (say from the night before) to talk about it at the beginning of a class period. Activity that occurs during class often leads to interesting discussions of earthquakes and tectonics. This activity uses online and/or real-time data, has minimal/no quantitative component, and can be used to address student misconceptions.
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Free online Earth and Space Science Textbook by Jeffrey Bennett. Jeffrey Bennett …
Free online Earth and Space Science Textbook by Jeffrey Bennett. Jeffrey Bennett holds a B.A. in Biophysics from the University of California at San Diego and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Astrophysics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He specializes in mathematics and science education, writing for and speaking to audiences ranging from elementary school children to college faculty. He is a well known author of science textbooks and children's books. Promo: Are you satisfied with your textbook for Earth and Space Science? We didn’t think so. Now, imagine an online “textbook” that • contains everything you need to teach your course, including activities and assessments, and resources to help you meet the needs of students with varying levels of background. • meets all your state and NGSS standards for middle school Earth and Space Science, and can also be used for many high school courses. • is fully up-to-date with the latest science, all presented in an engaging and scientifically accurate manner. • is designed for a course that is “teacher driven” and that can be used in person, online, or even for independent learning. • is filled with extensive Teacher Notes that will help you both to effectively engage your students and to understand subtleties of the science for yourself. • is written by the award-winning author of college textbooks in four subjects (astronomy, astrobiology, mathematics, and statistics) and of numerous science books for the public, including 6 children’s books that have all been read from orbit on the International Space Station for the Story Time From Space Program • and it is completely FREE, posted to a web site online. Now you can stop imagining, because this “textbook” is here and ready for you to use! Explore it at www.grade8science.com, use it with your students, and share it with others. You may send feedback direct to the author at jeff@bigkidscience.com.
In this demonstration, evidence of the Earth's rotation is observed. A tripod, …
In this demonstration, evidence of the Earth's rotation is observed. A tripod, swiveling desk chair, fishing line and pendulum bob (e.g., fishing weight or plumb bob) are required for the demonstration. This resource is from PUMAS - Practical Uses of Math and Science - a collection of brief examples created by scientists and engineers showing how math and science topics taught in K-12 classes have real world applications.
This interactive visualization adapted from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates …
This interactive visualization adapted from NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey illustrates the concept of albedo, which is the measure of how much solar radiation is reflected from Earth's surface.
Students perform a lab to explore how the color of materials at …
Students perform a lab to explore how the color of materials at Earth's surface affect the amount of warming. Topics covered include developing a hypothesis, collecting data, and making interpretations to explain why dark-colored materials become hotter.
Hands-on laboratory activity that allows students to investigate the effects of distance …
Hands-on laboratory activity that allows students to investigate the effects of distance and angle on the input of solar radiation at Earth's surface, the role played by albedo, the heat capacity of land and water, and how these cause the seasons. Students predict radiative heating based on simple geometry and experiment to test their hypotheses.
In this module, students are asked to devise a way of graphically …
In this module, students are asked to devise a way of graphically plotting the density variations with depth in the Earth.
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This module explores the combination of densities and shell thicknesses that produce …
This module explores the combination of densities and shell thicknesses that produce an aggregate density of the Earth of 5.5 g/cm3.
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