About these Lessons
Off-the-shelf lessons are standalone learning experiences that introduce students to new science practices and crosscutting concepts so that they are prepared to engage in a full Mi-STAR unit. Learn more about Mi-STAR's Off-the-Shelf Lessons here.
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Moon Phases
In this first Off-the-Shelf lesson on the Earth-Sun-Moon system, students investigate the phenomenon of cyclical moon phases as viewed from Earth. What do we see, and why do we see it? What patterns are observable?
.png){kind=icon}
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Eclipses
In this lesson, students build upon their prior knowledge of the Moon's phases and orbit around Earth to explain the cause of both solar and lunar eclipses.
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Systems and System Models
.jpeg)
This lesson plan is designed to introduce students to the crosscutting concept of Systems and Systems Models, including supports for remote learning. In the Mi-STAR curriculum, system models help students make sense of real-world phenomena and problems such as: flooding in a watershed, teachers who are experiencing a mysterious illness, or a natural habitat that's being invaded by a new species. Students should experience this lesson prior to Unit 7.1: Off-the-Grid Energy.
This lesson is shared under the creative commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, and Argument
This lesson plan is designed to introduce students to the science and engineering practice of Argumentation. In the Mi-STAR curriculum, argumentation supports students to develop critical thinking skills and to make sense of real-world phenomena and solve problems, such as the most optimal cell phone case design, the best way to contain the spread of a virus, and the cause of a global phenomenon. Students should experience this lesson prior to Unit 6.2: RAD Disease.
This lesson is shared under the creative commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Well-Defined Criteria and Constraints
This lesson plan is designed to introduce students to the engineering practice of Defining Problems. In the Mi-STAR curriculum, defining problems help students to approach their Unit Challenge Scenario and break it down into manageable pieces. This lesson is offered both as a stand-alone and an integration in Unit 6.1. Students should have either this lesson or Unit 6.1 prior to Units 6.3, 6.4, or 6.6.
This lesson is shared under the creative commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode and https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).
Image sources:
- 'Fish Fish (12775491)' by Grant Gould, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
- 'Alien in a UFO cartoon' by Joe Wos, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
- 'Mackinac bridge from air4' byJustin Billau, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
