SOLAR Center Lesson Plans

Our web site provides a collection of multi-disciplinary, interactive exercizes and activities based on the Sun and solar science. We've geared these to 4-12 grade students, but interested adults might be intrigued as well. What follows is an overview of the activites you'll find here.

Educators: If you do any of our activities in the classroom, we can arrange to send you enough SOHO Posters for your entire group.
We encourage your feedback, suggestions, and ideas for new projects. Thanks!

Visit From Now On for information and resources on integrating technology into learning environments.
Hidden Pictures

Finding details in solar images Grade Levels: 4-8 Brief Overview: Students examine a poster (or image) of solar granulation and use their imagination to find patterns. Some students work in teams, others alone, and their results are compared. Students are asked to relate what they've observed to Earth-based experiences. Time Requirements: Approximately 15 minutes preparation time and 1 hour class time Time at home to experiment with cooking Student Prerequisites: Ability to observe details Imagination Topics Covered by This Lesson: Solar granulation, the solar photosphere Scientific observational techniques Unit Features: Full-size poster (27"x30"); available from the SOLAR Center at no cost (or, images printed from the web site) Images Video Intriguing questions Cooking experience (at home) Materials Required For This Lesson: Poster, available from the SOLAR Center (see activity) Alternatively, printed image from web site Author: Zoe Frank, Lockheed Martin ATC Solar & Astrophysics Lab
An Interview with Mr. Sol

Students "interview" the Sun Grade Levels: 4-6 Brief Overview: Students do some research on the Sun then, in pairs, generate an "interview" with The Star to determine how he (she?) works Time Requirements: A few minutes to print out & copy the sample questions and/or the sample interview 1-3 hours class time for research and presentation of results Student Prerequisites: Ability to read and do simple research Topics Covered by This Lesson: Basic information about the Sun Unit Features: A list of sample interview questions A very amusing example of an interview with Mr. Sun Student experience in presenting research information in front of classmates Materials Required For This Lesson: Imagination Access to research facilities (e.g. the web, a library, etc.) Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center Example interview written by Robert J. Nemiroff and previously published in Astronomy magazine
Retrieving Solar Images

How to Find and Get Solar Images Grade Levels: 4-12 Brief Overview: Students are instructed to use the web every day to retrieve a current solar image. Subsequent activities will show the students how to use the data for scientific purposes. Time Requirements: Approximately 1 hour preparation time 15 minutes per day for about 2 weeks to collect images Student Prerequisites: Knowledge of standard web conventions Measuring, latitude/longitude concepts Topics Covered by This Lesson: Magnetograms, active regions on the Sun Sunspots Spacecraft instruments Unit Features: Internet-accessible solar images Examples Background information Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the world-wide web Sunspot recording worksheet (provided) Latitude/longitude grids (provided) Printer (optional) Transparency paper (optional) Enlarging/reducing copier (optional) Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
The Spinning Sun

Determining Solar Rotation Grade Levels: 4-12 Brief Overview: Students use their solar data to estimate (younger grades) or compute, using angular velocity, the Sun's rotation period Time Requirements: Approximately 1 hour preparation time and 1-3 hours class time Student Prerequisites: Collection of solar data (see Retrieving Solar Data activity) or use examples provided Mathematical concept of ratios Topics Covered by This Lesson: Solar rotation Galileo's sunspot observations Angular velocity (older grades only) Unit Features: Animation and Video of rotating Sun Solar images Sunspot sketches by Galileo Information about Galileo Materials Required For This Lesson: Calculator Metric ruler (younger grades only) Mpeg viewer (optional) Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Sunspot Races

Estimating Sunspot Speed Grade Levels: 4-5 Brief Overview: Using daily solar images, students predict when spots will disappear or reappear from view on the solar disk. Time Requirements: Approximately 1 hour preparation time 1/4 per day, for 1-2 weeks, class time to get daily images 1-2 hours class time to predict and discuss Student Prerequisites: Complete "Collect Solar Data" activity (or use examples) Complete "Spinning Sun" solar rotation rate activity (optional) Estimation skills, measuring skills Topics Covered by This Lesson: Estimating solar rotation Magnetograms Sunspots & active regions Introduction to solar images in various light Unit Features: Daily solar images Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Printer (optional) Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Are Sunspots Really on the Sun?

Prove Sunspots Are on the Solar Surface Grade Levels: 6-9 Brief Overview: Students measure sunspot speeds and shapes across the solar disk to determine whether the spots are on the Sun or are planets revolving around it (Galileo's dilemma). Includes pointer to hands-on demonstration of concepts. Time Requirements: 1-3 hours class time (Plus time to collect solar images, or print out examples) Student Prerequisites: Complete "Collect Solar Data" activity (or use examples provided) Measuring skills Middle-school math concepts Topics Covered by This Lesson: Solar rotation Foreshortening, perspective Information about Galileo, Christoph Shein, and Wilson Unit Features: Video of solar rotation (animated gif) Current Solar Images Graphical examples Simple hands-on demonstration for visualizing concepts Materials Required For This Lesson: Sunspot speed graph (provided) Metric ruler Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Understanding the Solar Scale

Solar Comparison Quiz Grade Levels: 4-9 Brief Overview: An entertaining, visually-based quiz to give students an intuitive feel for how big our star is. Time Requirements: 1/2 hour to go through quiz (per participant) Student Prerequisites: Estimating, comparison skills Basic knowledge of Earth-based sizes Topics Covered by This Lesson: Solar sizes Solar mass Various solar features Unit Features: Vivid images graphically depicting comparisons of Earth and solar features Interactive quiz Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Author: Amara Graps, Stanford SOLAR Center
Observing the Sun

How to Observe the Sun Grade Levels: 4-12 Brief Overview: Information on building pinhole cameras, using telescopes, accessing an online solar telescope, observing eclipses, and sketching sunspots. Includes pointers to related activities. Time Requirements: Building and using pinhole camera -- 1-2 class hours Student Prerequisites: Ability to follow directions so the kids DO NOT LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY! Topics Covered by This Lesson: Solar projection Telescopic filters (including H-alpha) Sunspot sketches Eclipses Unit Features: Information for hands-on projects Pointer to an online solar telescope Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Simple materials (paper, cardboard, etc.) for pinhole cameras Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Galileo Challenge

Galileo Overview Quiz Grade Levels: 4-9 Brief Overview: A simple quiz designed to help students understand the importance of Galileo's solar observations and the role he played in reshaping our view of the heavens. Includes suggestions for activities relating to strongly-held viewpoints. Time Requirements: 1/2 hour to play with the quiz (done in groups?) 1+ hours of discussion time Student Prerequisites: Understanding of political and social pressure affects Topics Covered by This Lesson: Galileo & scientific inquiry Geocentric and heliocentric views of the solar system Middle-Age European religion & politics History of solar observations Unit Features: Interactive quiz Pointers to extended information about Galileo Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Hearing the Sun

Listen to the Singing Sun Grade Levels: 4-12 Brief Overview: Students listen to sound waves generated from acoustical waves on the Sun. An animated video is provided to visualize the acoustic wave generation (by large scale solar granulation). A hands-on activity is suggested for younger students. For the older kids, we've provided introductory information about helioseismology. Time Requirements: Approximately 1/2 hour preparation time (if you wish to pre-load the audio & video files) About 1 hour class time for demonstration & discussion Student Prerequisites: None, although some familiarity with acoustical waves would be helpful. Topics Covered by This Lesson: Sound waves Helioseismology Introduction to solar oscillations Unit Features: Audio files of solar sounds (AU or AIFF formats) Videos of solar oscillations (mpeg) Slinky(r) wave demonstration directions Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Sound board, speakers, software support for audio files (AU or AIFF formats) Mpeg player (for videos) Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Solar Granulation Quiz

Quick Quiz on Solar Granulation Grade Levels: 6-8 Brief Overview: A self-guided quiz designed to intrigue students about the process of solar granulation. Time Requirements: Approximately 15 minutes to take the quiz Student Prerequisites: Requires some prior knowledge of solar granulation Topics Covered by This Lesson: Solar granulation Unit Features: Interactive quiz Hints whcih include comparisons with commonly encountered features (e.g. boiling fudge) Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Author: Amara Graps, Stanford SOLAR Center
Sunspot Quiz

Quick Quiz on Sunspots Grade Levels: 6-8 Brief Overview: A self-guided quiz to intrigue students about the nature of sunspots. Time Requirements: Approximately 15 minutes to take the quiz Student Prerequisites: Requires some prior knowledge of sunspots Topics Covered by This Lesson: Sunspots Solar magnetic activity Unit Features: Interactive quiz Pointers to information on sunspots Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Author: Amara Graps, Stanford SOLAR Center
Earth-based Solar Phenomena

Auroras, Rainbows, Atmospheric Grade Levels: 4-12 Solar Phenomena Brief Overview: Suggested questions and topics for research on ways the Sun affects our Earth. Touches on auroras, rainbows, sun pillars, the green flash, sun pillars, etc. Gives pointers for more detailed information. Primarily designed for individual exploration. Time Requirements: Anywhere from a few minutes of discussion (younger grades) through science projects (older kids) Student Prerequisites: Enthusiasm, interest Topics Covered by This Lesson: Aurora, rainbows, solar atmospheric phenomena, etc. Optics and light, diffraction, refraction Magnetic fields, ionization Unit Features: Images Suggestions for further research Pointers to information Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Access to additional research materials (books, etc.) Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center

Global Warming

Global Warming Grade Levels: 10-12 Brief Overview: To what extent does the Sun's variability contribute to global warming? Students are given guidelines and places to start for independent research projects on the causes and effects of global warming. Time Requirements: independent research of many hours class discussion Student Prerequisites: ability to read, understand, and compare occasionally contradictory reports Topics Covered by This Lesson: global warming causes & effects Unit Features: This unit provides guidelines for independent study on global warming. Materials Required For This Lesson: access to current research materials on global warming Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Art Based on Science

Science-based Imagery Grade Levels: 6-12 Brief Overview: Selection of images used to visualize or process scientific data. Images were chosen because of their visual appeal. However, class discussion could focus on techniques of data visualization and/or the physical properties described by the imagery. Have students develop imagery to describe their own (not necesssarily solar) data. Time Requirements: Class discussion time Unit Features: Images Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Student-Produced Solar Art

Solar Images & Art Grade Levels: K-5+ Brief Overview: Students are invited to generate and submit images, poetry, or literature inspired by the Sun or solar science. Submissions from students are displayed. Time Requirements: 1 class period Student Prerequisites: None Topics Covered by This Lesson: Art, imagery, the Sun Poetry, literature Unit Features: Graphic and literary works submitted by students Students who submit art or literature will receive a SOHO poster Materials Required For This Lesson: Art supplies Imagination Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Multicultural Solar Interpretations

People and the Sun Grade Levels: K-12 Brief Overview: A selection of information about folklore, ancient astronomy, rock art, and other interpretations of the Sun's connection with Earth. Designed to introduce the notion of various cultural approaches to interpreting the Sun. Time Requirements: Independent research time Student Prerequisites: Enthusiasm, interest Topics Covered by This Lesson: How do, and did, various cultures perceive the Sun? How are these perceptions reflected in the cultures' art, science, religion, literature, architecture. and/or music? Unit Features: Folklore and mythology relating to the Sun Pointers to information about ancient astronomy sites Materials Required For This Lesson: Access to the web Author: Deborah Scherrer, Stanford SOLAR Center
Lesson Template courtesy of the Science Education Gate-way, Center for EUV Astrophysics at UC Berkeley

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http://solar-center.stanford.edu/teachers/lessons.html
Created by Deborah Scherrer Aug 1997
Last modified by DKS on 14 Oct 1997