![](/i/b_facebook_icon.png)
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
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/Lunar_libration_with_phase_Oct_2007_%28continuous_loop%29.gif)
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?
![](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/icons/Download%20(150%20%C3%97%2050%20px).png)
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Eclipses
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/6241769760_0R1A6575.jpg)
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.
![](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/icons/Download%20(150%20%C3%97%2050%20px).png)
Mi-STAR Sample Lesson: Systems and System Models
![Image of a yellow marble track with bells; a blue marble is in motion on the track and a young boy watches on in the background.](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/images/Fish_(12775491).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.
![](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/icons/Download%20(150%20%C3%97%2050%20px).png)
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
![Image of a yellow marble track with bells; a blue marble is in motion on the track and a young boy watches on in the background.](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/images/776px-Alien_in_a_UFO_Cartoon.jpg)
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.
![](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/icons/Download%20(150%20%C3%97%2050%20px).png)
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
![Image of a yellow marble track with bells; a blue marble is in motion on the track and a young boy watches on in the background.](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/images/512px-Mackinac_Bridge_from_the_air4.jpg)
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.
![](https://mi-star.mtu.edu/i/f/icons/Download%20(150%20%C3%97%2050%20px).png)
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