National Science Education Standards Addressed by Digitalis Lesson Plans

(Standards from National Science Education Standards, by the National Research Council)

Please note:

Lessons for kindergarten through 2nd grades

Moving Right Along

This lesson provides an introduction to Earth's rotation and revolution and how those movements affect our view of the sky.

Sky Stories

This lesson introduces students to the pictures and stories of some Greco-Roman constellations, as well as reasons why constellations were created.

What's Up?

This lesson explores what we can see in the sky (stars, planets, the moon) and differences between those objects.

Lessons for 3rd through 5th grades

Planets

This lesson explores the differences between stars and planets, how we can recognize a planet in the night sky, and planetary motion (prograde and retrograde).

Star Quest

This lesson introduces some Greco-Roman constellations; students also learn to use star maps to find the pictures in the sky.

Stellar Lunar

This lesson explores stars, constellations, and the phases of the moon. Students learn what causes the phases and the name of each phase as they model the earth, moon, and sun system.

Lessons for 6th through 8th grades

Stellar Navigation

This lesson, written for the northern hemisphere, introduces students to the idea of navigating by the stars. Students learn to use stars to determine latitude and compass points, and observe how our location on Earth affects our view of the sky.

Solstice and Equinox

This lesson explores the relevance of solstices and equinoxes and how they relate to the seasons we experience.

World in Motion

This lesson explores what is in motion in our solar system, that Earth's movements give us the day and the year, that gravity keeps planets in orbit around the sun and the moon in orbit around the earth, how to recognize a planet in the night sky, and prograde and retrograde planetary motion.

Lessons for 9th through 12th grades

Astrology: Fact or Fiction?

This lesson debunks astrology, explores the differences between science and pseudoscience, introduces students to the ecliptic and precession, and explains how and why the zodiac signs were created.

How do we Know...?

This lesson explores how we know what we know about our universe by looking at developments in three major eras:  Greco-Roman times, the 17th century, and the late 19th century to today. 

Hubble Space Telescope

This lesson explores why the Hubble Space Telescope is in space, as well as several discoveries it has made.

Note: The standards addressed by this lesson depend greatly on which HST images the teacher chooses to discuss and therefore will vary dramatically from teacher to teacher. Those listed here are addressed by the parts of the lesson plan before and after the image discussions.


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