This activity is an investigation of the Earths Moon phases and its position in the sky.
- Author:
- Gloria Brandt
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What is a googol? Invented by Edward Kasner, an American mathematician who popularized the number in his 1940 book, Mathematics and the Imagination, it is a 1 followed by a hundred zeros. This directed case in estimation and very large numbers was written for a college-level introductory astronomy course, although it could also be used in a variety of other courses in chemistry, planetary science, biology, and mathematics.
- Author:
- Stephen J. Shawl
Students explore heat transfer and energy efficiency using the context of energy efficient houses. They gain a solid understanding of the three types of heat transfer: radiation, convection and conduction, which are explained in detail and related to the real world. They learn about the many ways solar energy is used as a renewable energy source to reduce the emission of greenhouse gasses and operating costs. Students also explore ways in which a device can capitalize on the methods of heat transfer to produce a beneficial result. They are given the tools to calculate the heat transferred between a system and its surroundings.
- Author:
- Malinda Schaefer Zarske
- Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,
- Denise W. Carlson
- Lauren Cooper
- TeachEngineering.org
- Landon B. Gennetten
This activity aims to teach students about the different layers of the atmosphere. It also aims to teach them which part of our atmosphere is considered outer space and what phenomena occur in each layer.
- Author:
- Rogel Mari Sese, Regulus Space Tech
In this activity students use a simple model of the moon to do an experiment to see how impact craters are formed. The lesson worksheets are differentiated and students are put into pre-determined teams by ability to conduct the experiment.
- Author:
- Corliss Thomas
This activity is a lab investigation where students design their own lunar phases model using household materials.
- Author:
- Sybil Haas
This activity is a reinforcement activity where students will make a flipbook of the lunar phases.
- Author:
- Donna Krisch
This set of activities is designed to help students develop an understanding of scale/distance and ordering the planets from the sun, understanding Earth's position in the solar system, and developing new ways of determining "order."
- Author:
- Anne E. Flynn
This is a classroom activity in which students will observe, question, and investigate the relationship between the sun and the earth and how that relationship causes day and night.
- Author:
- Sondra Tokarczyk
Following a public hearing format, this case study allows students to explore the scientific and public policy issues surrounding the advisability of a return mission to Mars for further sampling and, more generally, the question of whether or not there is life on that planet. The case was developed for a non-science majors course called "Great Discoveries in Science" and serves to illustrate the scientific method and the importance of interdisciplinary efforts in scientific research.
- Author:
- Troy D. Wood
This lesson helps students explore the functions of the kidney and its place in the urinary system. Students learn how engineers design instruments to help people when kidneys are not functioning properly or when environmental conditions change, such as kidney function in space.
- Author:
- Emily Weller
- Janet Yowell
- Malinda Schaefer Zarske
- Sara Born
- Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,
- Jessica Todd
- Denali Lander
- TeachEngineering.org
- Abigail Watrous
In this lesson, students learn about the physical properties of the Moon. They compare these to the properties of the Earth to determine how life would be different for astronauts living on the Moon. Using their understanding of these differences, they are asked to think about what types of products engineers would need to design for us to live comfortably on the Moon.
- Author:
- Janet Yowell
- Jane Evenson
- Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,
- Jessica Butterfield
- Jessica Todd
- TeachEngineering.org
- Brian Kay
- Sam Semakula
- Karen King
The Mars Climate Orbiter was deployed by NASA as part of a mission to study weather and climate on Mars. It was supposed to enter orbit at an altitude of 140.5-150 km (460,000-500,000 ft) above Mars, but due to an error, the spacecraft dipped as low as 57 km (190,000 ft) and was destroyed. The failure and loss of the Mars Climate Orbiter is examined in this case study, which explores the political, ethical, and economic issues as well as the scientific and technical aspects of the mishap. The case study is designed for use in a freshman-level Introduction to Engineering course.
- Author:
- Albert Titus
In this 30 to 45 minute activity, children (in teams of 4-5) experiment to create craters and learn about the landscape of the moon. The children make observations on how the size and mass, direction, and velocity of the projectile impacts the size and shape of the crater.
- Author:
- Jaya Ramchandani, UNAWE
This lesson will discuss the details for a possible future manned mission to Mars. The human risks are discussed and evaluated to minimize danger to astronauts. A specialized launch schedule is provided and the different professions of the crew are discussed. Once on the surface, the crew's activities and living area will be covered, as well as how they will make enough fuel to make it off the Red Planet and return home.
- Author:
- Janet Yowell
- Malinda Schaefer Zarske
- Integrated Teaching and Learning Program,
- Geoffrey Hill
- Daria Kotys-Schwartz
- TeachEngineering.org
- Chris Yakacki
This geometry lesson from Illuminations uses the model of the orbits of Mars and Earth relative to the sun to illustrate parametric equations. As an interdisciplinary learning activity, the material may be used in conjunction with astronomy lessons. An interactive applet and student questions are also included. The material is intended for grades 9-12 and should require 1 class period to complete.
One Navajo legend attributes the creation of the primary stars and constellations to "Black God." Today, a famous star cluster, the Pleiades, often appears on the traditional mask worn by chanters impersonating Black God during special ceremonies. In this case study, designed for an observational astronomy class or introductory astronomy class with a strong observational component, students learn about the Pleiades in Navajo cosmology while developing their observation and star map skills.
- Author:
- Teresa M. Schulz
The students will discuss, define, and demonstrate the Earth's rotation and revolution around the sun, which models the seasons.
- Author:
- Leigh Jackson
This algebra lesson from Illuminations helps students develop their understanding of mathematical functions and modeling using spreadsheets, graphing calculators, and computer graphing utilities. The differences between linear, quadratic and exponential models are described. Students will also improve their understanding of how to choose the appropriate graphical representations for data. The material is intended for grades 9-12 and should require 5 class periods to complete.
This activity is an observation opportunity for students to view the phases of the moon and learn that the juxtoposition of the Earth and moon dictates the appearance of the moon in the sky.
- Author:
- John Mettling