This module provides information on the content and writing style used in writing a Visionlearning teaching module.
This activity consists of two parts in which students investigate heat transfer by radiation and by conduction. In the first part, students design and conduct an experiment to test the effect of color on an object's ability to radiate energy (heat). In the second part, they investigate the transfer of energy from a hotter object to a cooler one, in this case, containers of hot and cold water. In both experiments, they are required to state a hypothesis, make a list of materials and procedures needed for the experiment, collect and graph data, and state a conclusion. Each experiment is accompanied by a set of analysis and conclusion questions.
Children match pictures of the Moon on cards with matching pictures on a banner that shows the Moon phase cycle.
Accompanying resource to "Bear Shadow Activity." Children learn how the location of a light source changes how shadows appear.
I have always been struck by the beauty and mystery of the astronomical universe. Recently I decided that it might be good to evoke these qualities in some way that might reach our students. And then I remembered that, many years ago, I had heard a piece of music that effected me in the same way. So I put them together. You can see the result at
https://youtu.be/U7XEhRn_Kno
You might find it helpful in your teaching.
George Greenstein
This video segment describes how the Australopithecus afarensis skeleton known as Lucy could have been fossilized. Footage courtesy of NOVA: "In Search of Human Origins."
Becoming a Red Giant. Created by Sal Khan.
When we look at the night sky, we see stars and the nearby planets of our own solar system. Many of those stars are actually distant galaxies and glowing clouds of dust and gases called nebulae. The universe is an immense space with distances measured in light years. The more we learn about the universe beyond our solar system, the more we realize we do not know. Students are introduced to the basic known facts about the universe, and how engineers help us explore the many mysteries of space.
An introduction to the Big Bang.
Cambrian explosion and biodiversity in the Phanerozoic Eon. Created by Sal Khan.
Each term, the class selects a new set of professional journal articles on bioengineering topics of current research interest. Some papers are chosen because of particular content, others are selected because they illustrate important points of methodology. Each week, one student leads the discussion, evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, and importance of each paper. Subject may be repeated for credit a maximum of four terms. Letter grade given in the last term applies to all accumulated units of 16.459.
Birth of Stars. Created by Sal Khan.
This focused resource guide, "Black Lives in Astronomy," includes specific written and video resources about and by 25 black astronomers, as well as general materials to examine the history and issues facing black members of the astronomical community. It includes both older, established scientists and people early in their careers. It is aimed at the Astro 101 and amateur astronomer level, and thus does not include any technical materials. I hope this resource will give instructors and students examples of authentic black voices that can be shown in class or used in assignments.
Black Holes. Created by Sal Khan.
Students are introduced to our Sun as they explore its composition, what is happening inside it, its relationship to our planet (our energy source), and the ways engineers help us learn about it.
Overview: Blue Coral Guide to the Solar System is an interactive 3D model of the solar system. Freely browse by selecting, dragging, and zooming or step through the grand tour. Each stop along the way contains an optional profile for more detail.
Included in the model is the sun, all 8 planets, Earth's moon, 3 dwarf planets, the asteroid belt, the kuiper belt, the oort cloud, and Haley's comet.
Blue Coral Guide to the Solar System is fully responsive in the web browser for large and small devices in both horizontal and vertical orientations.
Using photographs and models, students are taken on a virtual journey to outer space. They can look back at the Earth as they travel further away and see it growing increasingly smaller, giving the experience that we live on a tiny planet that floats in a vast and empty space.
Students build their own satellite using household materials. Through the process, they learn about satellites and their functions.
If you build it carefully, this crazy contraption demonstrates one of the basic laws of nature.
It is very dangerous to look directly at the Sun, even briefly. In this craft activity, you will create a safe viewer so you can look at the Sun without damaging your eyes.