The Gravity Assist Simulator takes you through a series of simulated collisions to show how the New Horizon and Messenger spacecraft will use planned collisions to extend their missions.
Students discover the properties of light (radiant) energy from the sun by experimenting with soalr collectors, cookers, and calculators.
Students review the basic rock cycle and then focus specifically on sedimentary rock. Students investigate the stripes in sedimentary rocks using a structure at Petra, Jordan, and then complete a hands-on activity using mixed nuts to illustrate the layering of sedimentary rocks.
Students understand the changes that a blue crab goes through during molting, and why it is important for scientists to understand these changes.
This science update discusses the increase in hurricane activity in the mid 1990s and the proposed reasons for the increase.
This lesson is the first of a two-part series on the science of hurricanes and the kinds of technology being used to identify and track them. In this activity students examine different scientific aspects of hurricanes, all in an effort to begin to understand the nature of motion?particularly how changes in speed or direction of motion are caused by forces.
This lesson is the second in a two-part series on the science of hurricanes and the kinds of technology being used to identify and track them. In this activity students? study of hurricanes is broadened by exploring how technology and science are used today to identify, measure, and track powerful tropical storms to better warn and secure people from their often-devastating impact.
Students will explore the factors that influence a change in culture amongst a community or group of people.
Students investigate the habitats of local plants and animals and explore some of the ways animals depend on plants and each other.
This lesson includes an Internet exploration that focuses on the roles of the eye and brain in the perception of color. It includes an introduction to the anatomy of the eye, including the functions of rods and cones. It is recommended that students complete the first 2 activities (Light 1 and Light 2) prior to this activity.
Students will listen to the findings of a research study which indicates that when it comes to news media, people prefer to look at information that reinforces their own beliefs.
Students learn how energy from the sun makes life on earth possible. Note: This lesson is reliant on the book Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life by Molly Bang and Penny Chisholm.
In this activity, students will view several types of microorganisms and make observations about the way they move. They will then apply that knowledge to design, draw, and describe a practical application to one of the methods of locomotion they observe in the lab.
Students study how telescopes work and how they can contribute to our knowledge of the universe.
In this interactive resource, students will click and drag pictures of different phases of the moon to complete a calendar of lunar cycles. Narration in the interactive provides ongoing feedback and guidance to the students as they work to complete the patterns. There is also a printable version of this activity, allowing for a hands-on activity where students can physically manipulate illustrations of the phases of the moon, placing them in the correct sequence in lunar cycles.
Students will gain an understanding that certain materials are attracted to magnets and some are not. This lesson is the first in a two-lesson series on magnets. Students should carry out many investigations in order to familiarize themselves with the pushes and pulls of magnets. By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on earth which cannot be seen. This idea can then be developed into an understanding that objects, such as the earth or electrically charged objects, can pull on other objects. It is important that students get a sense of electric and magnetic force fields (as well as gravity) and of some simple relations between magnetic and electric currents
Students experimentally measure the strength of a magnet and graph how the strength changes as the distance from the magnet increases, and as a barrier is built between the magnet and an iron object. This lesson is the second in a two-lesson series on magnets. Students should carry out many investigations in order to familiarize themselves with the pushes and pulls of magnets. By exploring magnets, students are indirectly introduced to the idea that there are forces that occur on earth which cannot be seen. This idea can then be developed into an understanding that objects, such as the earth or electrically charged objects, can pull on other objects. It is important that students get a sense of electric and magnetic force fields (as well as gravity) and of some simple relations between magnetic and electric currents.
Students study the motion of objects by brainstorming and experimenting with the different ways that a ping-pong ball can move. They will then create a structure that can be used to move an object from one place to another. They are encouraged to observe and test their structures, revising them as needed.
Students investigate the work of the scientist Ernst Chladni and replicate his experiment showing the movement of sound.
This Science Update looks at the unexpected impact marine reserves have on their surroundings. The original update is an audio file, but a transcript of the update is also provided on the page. Supplemental resources, including a background essay and discussion questions, are also provided.