Visualize the gravitational force that two objects exert on each other. Change properties of the objects in order to see how it changes the gravity force.
Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!
Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!
This activity is a field lab where students use a half gallon milk/juice carton containing two raw eggs and "other" materials to design an internal protective structure that will prevent the eggs from breaking from a 50 foot drop off a roof top.
This is a debate-style learning activity in which student teams learn about energy sources and are then assigned to represent the different energy sources. Working cooperatively, students develop arguments on the pros and cons of their source over the others.
Students use water balloons and a length of string to understand how the force of gravity between two objects and the velocity of a spacecraft can balance to form an orbit. They see that when the velocity becomes too great for gravity to hold the spacecraft in orbit, the object escapes the orbit and travels further away from the planet.
In this short video, atmospheric scientist Scott Denning gives a candid and entertaining explanation of how greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere warm our planet.
In this role-play activity, students take the roles of various important players in the climate change policy negotiation including politicians, scientists, environmentalists, and industry representatives. Working in these roles, students must take a position, debate with others, and then vote on legislation designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Can be used in a variety of courses including writing and rhetoric, and social sciences.
This straightforward calculator provides conversions from one unit of energy to the equivalent amount of CO2 emission expected from using that amount.
This lesson covers different aspects of the major greenhouse gases - water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxides and CFCs - including some of the ways in which human activities are affecting the atmospheric concentrations of these key greenhouse gases. This is lesson six in a nine-lesson module about climate change.
This animation allows students to explore the infrared spectra of greenhouse gases and depict the absorption spectra. Vibrational modes and Earth's energy spectrum can also be overlaid.
NEEF’s Greening STEM projects engage students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) activities to explore real-world challenges outside of the classroom. By establishing partnerships and guiding collaboration with local school districts, community groups, land management agencies, and funders, NEEF helps provide educators with the resources they need to give all students a meaningful learning experience.
Students will observe and perform experiments with the elements sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur and phosphorus. Conclusions will be made about trends down groups, across periods and relating to acidity/basicity of metal oxides vs. nonmetal oxides
This activity is a classroom lab where students will conduct a controlled activity resulting in the growth of salt crystals, showing a dramatic physical change.
This activity requires students to design an experiment to determine the best conditions for growing crystals. Students then are asked to conclude what the ideal conditions may be, how this information is useful, and who may want to know it. It is a great way to continue using scientific process skills within a Geology unit.
Students use gumdrops and toothpicks to make lithium atom models. Using these models, they investigate the makeup of atoms, including their relative size. Students are then asked to form molecules out of atoms, much in the same way they constructed atoms out of the particles that atoms are made of. Students also practice adding and subtracting electrons from an atom and determining the overall charges on atoms.
Controversial issues are complex topics that are grounded in conflicting values or opinions and can result in emotional reactions and public dispute. Schools may avoid difficult issues that could bring forth feelings of fear, confusion, or anger. Addressing these issues, however, can motivate students to learn and make relevant connections to their local and global communities. For students to become active and engaged citizens, they will need civil discourse and reasoning skills, as well as tolerance, empathy, compassion, and an interest in civic knowledge.
This rubric is intended for use as an assets-based tool for finding High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) for use as or within storylines adapted for use by Wisconsin educators and students. The tool is comprehensive and aspirational, combining standards from EQuiP and OpenSciEd, but most of the materials vetted within this space will not meet all criteria because they are not full units. Those using this tool are NOT conducting exhaustive reviews of materials, but providing their opinion on the strengths of the materials in these categories. The intent in developing this rubric was to find Wisconsin-relevant resources to swap in and out of a full HQIM storyline. Please review the open-ended comments to read what we believe to be the strengths of the materials and suggestions for how to use them within HQIM storylines.
This video describes the effect of a warming climate on the tundra biome and specifically the impacts of changing climate on the Rocky Mountain Pika, a small mammal that struggles with summer heat.
This towing lab students use a active learning activity to develop planning, problem solving and conceptual skills to clarify understanding of applied and net force. The assessment is the correct composition of a vector diagram.