Earth Science & Astronomy

A lesson exploring the characteristics, classification, and social behavior of prehistoric Sabertooth cats.

Students explore the pace of evolutionary change through fossil evidence, comparing gradualism and punctuated equilibrium while analyzing multiple lines of evidence for evolution.

An investigation into soil layers and composition, exploring how organic matter and weathered rock combine to support life.

Students learn how rocks are constantly recycled and transformed through the rock cycle via heat, pressure, weathering, and erosion.

An exploration of the three main types of rocks—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—and how their formation processes define their characteristics.

Students investigate the specific properties used to identify minerals, including hardness, streak, luster, and cleavage, using a hands-on lab approach.

A comprehensive biology lesson focusing on the fossil record and transitional fossils as evidence of evolution, aligned with Texas TEKS. Includes TELPAS speaking and listening integration and EOC-style practice.

A 7th-grade science lesson exploring the scale of Earth's biological history through a video-guided timeline and a hands-on 'toilet paper timeline' activity. Students learn about natural selection, adaptive radiation, and major geological eras to grasp the concept of deep time.

Students investigate the historical controversy surrounding Alfred Wegener's theory of Continental Drift, participating in a 1920s-style scientific debate using fossil, rock, and climate evidence while grappling with the absence of a known mechanism for plate movement.

A 9th-grade physical geography lesson exploring the intersection of plate tectonics and the rock cycle, focusing on the formation of the Himalayas and the transformation of Earth's crust.

Students will discover how paleontologists use fossils as clues to solve mysteries about prehistoric life, focusing on the concept of 'inference' through the story of Smilodon's healed bones.

Students explore the La Brea Tar Pits to understand fossil preservation through a sticky warm-up, a video about saber-toothed cats, and a hands-on 'tar pit' model.

Students explore the concept of adaptation through the lens of the prehistoric Smilodon, analyzing how its iconic saber-teeth functioned as both a specialized hunting tool and a physical challenge. The lesson culminates in a creative 'Adaptation Station' where students design their own predator adaptations.

A lesson distinguishing between archaeology and paleontology, exploring the differences between artifacts and fossils through a video-based discussion and a hands-on sorting activity.

Students will investigate the differences between body and trace fossils through a video-led discussion and a hands-on 'Fossil Detective' sorting activity to understand how ancient life and behavior are preserved in the rock record.

Students explore fossil formation by creating their own molds and casts, distinguishing between impressions and 3D replicas while learning about geological history.

Students investigate the relationship between fossil discoveries and environmental change, using evidence from a fictional map to reconstruct millions of years of geological history.

Students will investigate the process of permineralization through a hands-on sponge simulation and analyze why sedimentary rocks are the primary source of the fossil record. The lesson integrates a video on fossil formation and requires students to apply geological concepts to explain environmental changes over time.

Students explore the limitations of the fossil record using the 'Jigsaw Puzzle' analogy, analyzing why certain organisms are more likely to fossilize than others and discussing the implications of an incomplete record.

Students become 'Fossil Detectives' to explore what fossils are and how they form. They watch a SciShow Kids video about trilobites, create their own clay imprint fossils, and conclude by identifying what fossils can tell us about the past.

A high-energy, movement-based review activity where students solve 'medical cases' by identifying body systems and their functions. This lesson includes task cards for a classroom scavenger hunt and a structured recording sheet for students.

A lesson focused on the formation of sedimentary rocks and how their layers serve as a timeline for life on Earth, specifically focusing on the sequence of formation and fossil aging.

An investigation into soil layers and composition, exploring how organic matter and weathered rock combine to support life.

Students learn how rocks are constantly recycled and transformed through the rock cycle via heat, pressure, weathering, and erosion.

An exploration of the three main types of rocks—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—and how their formation processes define their characteristics.

Students investigate the specific properties used to identify minerals, including hardness, streak, luster, and cleavage, using a hands-on lab approach.

A comprehensive lesson focusing on identifying and summarizing the physical properties of rocks, minerals, soil, and water through hands-on exploration.

Students will explore and summarize the physical properties of Earth materials including rocks, minerals, soil, and water through hands-on investigations and observation.

A lesson exploring how tectonic movements, volcanic activity, and ancient environments determine the global distribution of minerals like lithium and cobalt, and how this geology affects global economics.

A 9th-grade introduction to the sub-fields of physical geography, specifically focusing on the distinction between Geomorphology and Pedology through video analysis and hands-on lab stations.

A high school environmental science lesson exploring how human activities like pollution and tourism accelerate natural weathering processes, featuring a deep dive into cave ecosystems and the preservation of global landmarks.

A High School General Science lesson exploring chemical weathering through oxidation and carbonation, focusing on how these processes shape the Earth's surface and create intricate cave systems. Students engage in a creative narrative to trace the journey of an atom through the rock cycle.

A high school lesson exploring the chemical weathering of limestone, the formation of karst topography, and the broader impact of rock weathering on global climate systems. Students observe acid reactions, watch a video on carbonation, and model sinkhole formation in a lab.

A hands-on science lesson exploring Karst topography in the Adriatic region. Students use sugar cube models to simulate how water dissolves limestone to create sinkholes, caves, and the stunning landscapes of Croatia's Plitvice Lakes.

Students explore how the geological makeup of a riverbed dictates the formation of canyons, floodplains, and waterfalls using the Zambezi River as a case study.

Students narrate the life cycle of a rock character, tracing its journey from deep within the mantle to the peaks of the Himalayas and back again, using the Crash Course Geography 'shape-shifter' metaphor.

A 9th-grade physical geography lesson exploring the intersection of plate tectonics and the rock cycle, focusing on the formation of the Himalayas and the transformation of Earth's crust.

A comprehensive lesson exploring how cooling rates determine the crystal size of igneous rocks. Students will compare granite and basalt, watch a targeted video on rock formation, and conduct a lab simulation using stearic acid or chocolate to visualize crystal growth.

Students simulate mechanical and chemical weathering using sugar cubes and gravel, connecting their observations to the 'granular disintegration' of the Himalayas shown in Crash Course Geography.

A high school geology lesson focused on synthesizing the Rock, Tectonic, and Hydrological cycles into a singular 'Geological Cycle' through collaborative systems mapping. Students analyze endogenic and exogenic processes using video evidence to construct a comprehensive earth systems diagram.

Une évaluation d'une heure pour les élèves de première spécialité SVT portant sur la dynamique de la lithosphère, incluant des questions de connaissances et d'analyse de documents.

Cette séance finale aborde les conséquences du réchauffement climatique (boucles de rétroaction, montée des eaux) et les leviers d'action pour l'atténuation et l'adaptation.

Cette séance analyse les données historiques du climat, le lien entre activités humaines et augmentation du forçage radiatif, ainsi que les perturbations du cycle du carbone.

Cette séance de 2 heures détaille le fonctionnement physique de l'effet de serre, le bilan radiatif terrestre et le rôle spécifique des gaz à effet de serre dans le maintien de la température terrestre.

A 10-session unit covering Virginia Standards 6.6 and 6.8, beginning with a water filter engineering challenge and progressing through water chemistry and watershed systems.

A 10-session unit covering Virginia Standards 6.6 and 6.8, beginning with a water filter engineering challenge and progressing through water chemistry and watershed systems.

Students become 'Ecosystem Architects' to design and build a miniature biome, identifying biotic and abiotic factors and their complex interactions. This hands-on project-based lesson covers ecosystem components, energy flow, and environmental balance.

Students investigate the chemical and physical environmental impacts of human activity in Latin America, focusing on mercury toxicity, urban subsidence, and deforestation. They transition from identifying cause-and-effect patterns to engineering theoretical solutions for real-world environmental crises.

A high school physics/chemistry lesson exploring how temperature and salinity drive deep ocean circulation through density gradients. Includes a video analysis, a hands-on density tank lab, and a discussion on global nutrient cycling.

Students explore how 'Insolation' (Incoming Solar Radiation) powers the complex interactions between Earth's spheres through a flashlight demonstration, a video analysis, and the creation of a six-panel energy journey comic strip.

A middle school science and geography lesson investigating how climate change affects Alpine glaciers, featuring a math-based activity on glacial melt and reflections on downstream impacts.

Students investigate how urban planners and engineers design infrastructure to overcome environmental constraints, using Amsterdam's water management system as a primary case study. Through a hands-on building activity, students model canal systems and evaluate the impact of rising sea levels on coastal cities.

This lesson explores the intersection of hydrology and history, focusing on how Karst landscapes and El Niño events shaped the rise and fall of the Maya and Khmer civilizations through hydraulic engineering.

This lesson explores the albedo effect and positive feedback loops through the lens of Arctic climate change, featuring a case study on Siberian reindeer herders. Students will diagram feedback loops and analyze how surface reflectivity influences global temperatures.

An Environmental Science lesson evaluating high-tech food solutions like lab-grown meat against traditional sustainable practices like agroforestry and nitrogen-fixing crops. Students watch a video on the history of sustainable agriculture and engage in a 'Team Tech' vs. 'Team Tradition' debate.

Students will explore the orographic effect and how mountain ranges like the Alps and Pyrenees influence regional climates, specifically focusing on the creation of rain shadows.

An 8th-grade math and science integrated lesson exploring glacial budgets, rates of change, and the concept of dynamic equilibrium. Students calculate net growth and retreat and graph the position of a glacier's toe to visualize environmental shifts.

A high school environmental science lesson exploring the trade-offs between human engineering (dams, embankments, dredging) and natural river systems, featuring a case-study debate based on major European rivers.

Students explore Archimedes' principle and the physics of sea level rise by comparing melting sea ice and land ice through a hands-on experiment and video analysis.

Students explore the mechanics of urban flooding and the protective role of wetlands through a hands-on lab and case study of Jakarta. They analyze the concept of 'flashy' watersheds and create hydrographs to visualize the 'sponge effect' of natural ecosystems.

A first-grade lesson focused on identifying attributes and comparing/contrasting everyday objects, weather, and characters to build foundational logic and observation skills.

An introductory lesson for Pre-K students to observe, identify, and describe daily weather patterns and how they affect our lives.

Students explore the distinction between weather and climate using the 'Mood vs. Personality' analogy. The lesson includes a video-based discussion, a hands-on scenario sorting activity, and a reflective exit ticket.

Students will explore how months divide the year into seasons and practice associating specific weather and activities with the month of July.

A 3rd-grade science lesson comparing weather (short-term) and climate (long-term) through video analysis, a sorting activity, and a creative design challenge.

This lesson explores the complex relationship between El Niño weather patterns and human political systems, focusing on how colonial policies transformed natural droughts into catastrophic famines in the 19th-century Global South. Students will analyze the 'Drought Belt' through mapping and evaluate the ecological cascade of the 'Ghost and the Darkness' case study.

Students become junior meteorologists, exploring the difference between weather and climate while practicing real-time observation and forecasting skills. The lesson includes a video-based introduction, a hands-on observation activity, and a discussion on the importance of accurate forecasting.

Students explore the link between El Niño climate patterns and the rise of vector-borne diseases in South America, culminating in a public health task force activity where they design prevention strategies.

A comprehensive lesson exploring the distinction between weather and climate through the lens of El Niño, featuring a mapping activity of Pacific Ocean mechanisms and human impact analysis.

A STEM and History lesson for grades 4-6 exploring the revolutionary safety measures introduced during the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, featuring a comparison of historical vs. modern construction practices and a creative design challenge.

A 7th-grade science lesson focused on identifying and illustrating the three main types of precipitation: convectional, orographic, and frontal. Students watch a video and create a comic strip to tell the 'story' of a water droplet.

A comprehensive lesson for high school students to analyze the relationship between global pressure belts and prevailing winds using the 3-cell atmospheric model and the Coriolis effect.

A comprehensive lesson for high school students on atmospheric pressure, wind formation, and weather patterns. Students learn to map isobars using raw data and predict weather outcomes based on pressure systems.

Students explore how pressure gradients and the Coriolis effect create global wind patterns through a balloon demonstration, a video investigation, and a hands-on rotating frame of reference activity.

A hands-on Earth Science lesson for grades 6-8 exploring the relationship between density, pressure, and wind. Students use a convection tank model to simulate global air movement and identify the 'Equatorial Trough'.

High school physics lesson exploring the three methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation) through the lens of atmospheric science and weather generation. Includes a lab station rotation, video analysis, and a concluding synthesis diagram.

This lesson explores the physics of cyclogenesis, focusing on the Coriolis effect and latent heat as the primary drivers of tropical cyclones. Students will participate in a physical demonstration of planetary rotation and construct a detailed energy flowchart to visualize the positive feedback loops that fuel these massive storms.

This lesson compares and contrasts Mid-Latitude Cyclones and Tropical Cyclones through video analysis, a collaborative Venn diagram activity, and satellite image identification. Students will learn about the distinct mechanics, sizes, and locations of these two major atmospheric systems.

Students explore the physics of air masses and frontal boundaries. Using a Crash Course Geography segment as a anchor, they create annotated visual simulations of cold and warm fronts to predict weather patterns and precipitation intensity.

Students explore extreme weather through the lens of 'Hurricane Hunters,' learning how pilots and scientists collect data from within storms. They identify cloud types and create a storm safety plan for hurricanes and nimbus clouds.

A high-energy, movement-based review activity where students solve 'medical cases' by identifying body systems and their functions. This lesson includes task cards for a classroom scavenger hunt and a structured recording sheet for students.

Une évaluation d'une heure pour les élèves de première spécialité SVT portant sur la dynamique de la lithosphère, incluant des questions de connaissances et d'analyse de documents.

A 10-session unit covering Virginia Standards 6.6 and 6.8, beginning with a water filter engineering challenge and progressing through water chemistry and watershed systems.

A 10-session unit covering Virginia Standards 6.6 and 6.8, beginning with a water filter engineering challenge and progressing through water chemistry and watershed systems.

Students become 'Ecosystem Architects' to design and build a miniature biome, identifying biotic and abiotic factors and their complex interactions. This hands-on project-based lesson covers ecosystem components, energy flow, and environmental balance.

An investigation into soil layers and composition, exploring how organic matter and weathered rock combine to support life.

Students learn how rocks are constantly recycled and transformed through the rock cycle via heat, pressure, weathering, and erosion.

An exploration of the three main types of rocks—igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic—and how their formation processes define their characteristics.

Students investigate the specific properties used to identify minerals, including hardness, streak, luster, and cleavage, using a hands-on lab approach.

A comprehensive lesson focusing on identifying and summarizing the physical properties of rocks, minerals, soil, and water through hands-on exploration.

Students will explore and summarize the physical properties of Earth materials including rocks, minerals, soil, and water through hands-on investigations and observation.

A 9th-grade introduction to the sub-fields of physical geography, specifically focusing on the distinction between Geomorphology and Pedology through video analysis and hands-on lab stations.

Students explore how 'Insolation' (Incoming Solar Radiation) powers the complex interactions between Earth's spheres through a flashlight demonstration, a video analysis, and the creation of a six-panel energy journey comic strip.

Students analyze human-environment interactions through the lens of physical geography, comparing deforestation-driven erosion in Madagascar with sustainable hydropower in Iceland to understand anthropogenic impacts on Earth systems.

Students will explore the four major Earth systems—Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Lithosphere, and Biosphere—through a fieldwork-inspired lens. They will analyze interactions using the Great Barrier Reef as a model and create a spatial map of a local ecosystem.

A 6th-grade science lesson exploring how weathering and erosion shape the Earth's surface, featuring a sand-tray simulation and a video-guided discussion on the Grand Canyon.

A middle school science and geography lesson investigating how climate change affects Alpine glaciers, featuring a math-based activity on glacial melt and reflections on downstream impacts.

Students will investigate the natural and anthropogenic drivers of climate change by analyzing proxy data and categorizing events into orbital, atmospheric, tectonic, and human-induced causes. They will use the 'Albedo Effect' and 'Greenhouse Effect' concepts to determine whether specific events result in a cooling or warming impact on Earth's surface temperature.

Students will investigate the engineering secrets of the Inca civilization, specifically their earthquake-resistant masonry. Through a hands-on building activity and a 'shake table' test, students explore how irregular, interlocking shapes create stable structures without mortar.

Students will explore the dynamic forces of Earth by mapping tectonic plate boundaries and identifying the 'Ring of Fire' through video analysis and a hands-on mapping activity involving transparency overlays.

This lesson explores the differences between solar and lunar eclipses using Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questioning strategies to deepen student understanding of celestial mechanics.

Students will investigate the natural and anthropogenic drivers of climate change by analyzing proxy data and categorizing events into orbital, atmospheric, tectonic, and human-induced causes. They will use the 'Albedo Effect' and 'Greenhouse Effect' concepts to determine whether specific events result in a cooling or warming impact on Earth's surface temperature.

Students explore the migration of Polynesian people and the engineering genius behind the multi-hulled canoe. They participate in a hands-on 'Float Your Boat' challenge to compare the stability of single-hull vs. double-hull designs using common materials.

Students explore how Galileo Galilei used the telescope to challenge the geocentric model by observing Jupiter's moons, simulating his historical observations and reflecting on how technology drives scientific progress.

A middle school science lesson exploring the mechanics of Earth's rotation and revolution, focusing on the day/night cycle and rotational speed using hands-on modeling.

A high school physics and astronomy lesson exploring the formation of the solar system through the lens of angular momentum and conservation of energy. Students use simulations to model orbital mechanics and connect physical laws to the structure of our celestial neighborhood.

A comprehensive lesson exploring why Earth has seasons, focusing on the roles of axial tilt and revolution while debunking common distance-based misconceptions. Includes a video analysis, hands-on modeling, and a look at extreme axial tilt on Uranus.

Students investigate how human-driven mass redistribution—through ice melt and groundwater extraction—physically alters the Earth's rotation and wobble. This lesson connects environmental science with planetary physics to explore the scale of the Anthropocene.

A lesson exploring the Islamic contributions to the Scientific Revolution, focusing on algebra, optics, and astronomy through hands-on 'Scholar Stations'. Students connect ancient innovations to modern STEM fields.

A 6th-grade science lesson exploring the concept of peer review through Galileo's historical influence and a hands-on paper helicopter experiment. Students learn the importance of replicability and independent confirmation in the scientific method.

A 4th-grade science lesson comparing Earth and Venus to discover why Earth is the perfect 'Goldilocks' planet for life. Students use a video segment to gather data and create a side-by-side comparison foldable.

A hands-on geography lesson where 6th-grade students use physical models to discover how Earth's 23.5-degree axial tilt and revolution around the sun create the seasons, debunking the common misconception that distance from the sun is the cause.

A High School Environmental Science lesson investigating the complex feedback loop between orbital mechanics (Milankovitch cycles), sea-level pressure, and volcanic activity based on Maya Tolstoy's research.

Students explore how ancient Babylonians used the moon and sun to track time, create calendars, and support agriculture, connecting ancient astronomy to modern life.

Explore Isaac Newton's Law of Gravity and the 'Clockwork Universe' analogy through hands-on observation, video analysis, and conceptual diagramming. Students learn how mathematics and calculus provided the proof necessary to transform scientific observations into universal laws.

A 7th-grade science lesson exploring the scale of Earth's biological history through a video-guided timeline and a hands-on 'toilet paper timeline' activity. Students learn about natural selection, adaptive radiation, and major geological eras to grasp the concept of deep time.

A 5th-grade science lesson exploring why the Earth isn't a perfect sphere. Students use spinning analogies, video evidence, and clay modeling to understand the 'oblate spheroid' shape caused by Earth's rotation.

A comprehensive lesson exploring how massive stars recycle their material to form new generations of stars and the heavy elements that make up our bodies. Includes a visual presentation with embedded video, collaborative discussion cards, and a reflection journal for student writing.

A comprehensive lesson exploring the life cycles of stars, specifically focusing on the divergent paths of average and massive stars. Students will use video evidence and modeling to map the explosive transitions from Nebula to Supernova and beyond.

Students explore the invisible nature of black holes and the methods astronomers use to detect them through gravitational effects and accretion disks, featuring a hands-on gravity well simulation.

Une évaluation d'une heure pour les élèves de première spécialité SVT portant sur la dynamique de la lithosphère, incluant des questions de connaissances et d'analyse de documents.

A lesson exploring how tectonic movements, volcanic activity, and ancient environments determine the global distribution of minerals like lithium and cobalt, and how this geology affects global economics.

A 9th-grade introduction to the sub-fields of physical geography, specifically focusing on the distinction between Geomorphology and Pedology through video analysis and hands-on lab stations.

An undergraduate-level introductory archaeology/anthropology lesson exploring the relationship between environmental shifts—such as plate tectonics and volcanic eruptions—and the biological and cultural evolution of early hominids.

Students will investigate the natural and anthropogenic drivers of climate change by analyzing proxy data and categorizing events into orbital, atmospheric, tectonic, and human-induced causes. They will use the 'Albedo Effect' and 'Greenhouse Effect' concepts to determine whether specific events result in a cooling or warming impact on Earth's surface temperature.

Students will explore the dynamic forces of Earth by mapping tectonic plate boundaries and identifying the 'Ring of Fire' through video analysis and a hands-on mapping activity involving transparency overlays.

A STEM-focused lesson where students explore the extreme depths of the Pacific Ocean by creating a proportional scale model comparing Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. The lesson utilizes a world geography video to provide context on Oceania's physical characteristics and uses math to visualize oceanic scale.

A High School Environmental Science lesson investigating the complex feedback loop between orbital mechanics (Milankovitch cycles), sea-level pressure, and volcanic activity based on Maya Tolstoy's research.