The Teaching Astrophysicist
Interdisciplinary Curriculum Developer and Educator with a background in Astrophysics and a flair for great no-nonsense resources based on classroom experience.
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Interdisciplinary Curriculum Developer and Educator with a background in Astrophysics and a flair for great no-nonsense resources based on classroom experience.
Physics
Ionizing Radiation | Research Project Template Webquest HS-PS4-4 Digital + Print
Learning about ionizing radiation is important because it helps us understand its powerful effects on matter and its applications in science, medicine, and industry. Ionizing radiation can be beneficial, such as in medical imaging and cancer treatment, but it also poses risks, including DNA damage and environmental contamination. Understanding its properties, sources, and safety measures enables us to use it responsibly and protect ourselves from harmful exposure. This ionizing radiation knowledge is crucial for advancing technologies while ensuring health and environmental safety. This is a great arena of physics learning and ties in to learning about non-ionizing radiation (EM spectrum too!)
This ionizing radiation science research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about ionizing radiation. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this ionizing radiation science research project template (webquest) with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
THIS IONIZING RADIATION SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS IONIZING RADIATION SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE:
7 page Google doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Google doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page Word doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in all three - Google doc, Word doc and PDF form
Massive Stars | Critical Thinking Framework | 4 Level Scaffold | Digital + Print
Massive stars are the universe’s heavy lifters, forging the elements that make up planets and life itself. Massive stars extreme gravity and powerful fusion processes produce brilliant light, spectacular supernova explosions, and sometimes even black holes. Teaching students about these stellar giants highlights the interconnectedness of cosmic events, deepening their appreciation for how our own existence ties back to stellar evolution. By exploring massive stars, learners gain insight into fundamental astrophysical processes and the dynamic nature of the universe. With this in mind, let’s engage with this excellent learning and teaching resource.
A critical thinking framework focused on massive stars brings this complex phenomena into clear, student-friendly steps. By guiding learners to identify questions, evaluate evidence, and compare multiple explanations, it transforms the study of these massive stars into an engaging, inquiry-based experience. Students gain a deeper appreciation for science as they piece together how stellar masses and life cycles shape the universe around us. Rather than just memorizing facts, they actively practice scientific habits of mind—analyzing data, identifying gaps in knowledge, and reflecting on the learning process.
A dedicated framework also saves time and supports more robust learning outcomes. It provides a structured path for teachers to implement discussions, projects, or small-group investigations without having to create all the resources from scratch. Embedded prompts and example strategies help students build confidence in their ability to think like scientists, meaning you can focus on facilitating exploration rather than constantly reinventing lesson plans. Ultimately, investing in this streamlined approach helps elevate student engagement, fosters critical thinking skills, and brings the wonders of massive stars to life in the classroom.
THIS MASSIVE STARS CRITICAL THINKING FRAMEWORK CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Guided Inquiry Projects: Assign each step as a stage in a research project, from forming a question to reflecting on findings.
Group Discussions: Facilitate structured group dialogues where each student is the primary driver to one step of the framework.
Problem-Solving Stations: Set up stations, each focusing on a different step (e.g., analyzing reasoning, identifying limitations), and rotate groups through them.
Reflection Journals: Encourage students to write short entries on each step after exploring new content or completing a project.
Peer Teaching: Have students create mini-lessons using the steps, culminating in an elevator pitch or summary to teach classmates.
Assessment Tool: Use the framework’s steps as a rubric to evaluate the depth and clarity of students’ scientific reasoning and presentations.
Momentum | Physics Critical Thinking Framework 4 Level Scaffold Digital + Print
Learning about critical thinking on the topic of momentum is valuable for middle and high school students because it deepens their understanding of how forces, motion, and collisions interact in the world around them. By using critical thinking skills, students learn to analyze problems, question assumptions, and propose solutions based on evidence and logical reasoning. This approach not only helps them excel in physics, but also enhances their decision-making abilities in everyday life - such as assessing the safety of certain activities or understanding how momentum plays out in sports. After all, we can not and should not leave all the thinking to the chatbots! With this in mind, let’s engage with this excellent learning and teaching resource.
A critical thinking framework focused on momentum brings this complex phenomena into clear, student-friendly steps. By guiding learners to identify questions, evaluate evidence, and compare multiple explanations, it transforms the study of the phenomenon of momentum into an engaging, inquiry-based experience. Students gain a deeper appreciation for science as they piece together how any object moving or coming to rest has momentum based interactions. Rather than just memorizing facts, they actively practice scientific habits of mind - analyzing data, identifying gaps in knowledge, and reflecting on the learning process.
A dedicated framework also saves time and supports more robust learning outcomes. It provides a structured path for teachers to implement discussions, projects, or small-group investigations without having to create all the resources from scratch. Embedded prompts and example strategies help students build confidence in their ability to think like scientists, meaning you can focus on facilitating exploration rather than constantly reinventing lesson plans. Ultimately, investing in this streamlined approach helps elevate student engagement, fosters critical thinking skills, and brings the world of momentum in real life to students in the classroom.
THIS MOMENTUM CRITICAL THINKING FRAMEWORK CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Guided Inquiry Projects: Assign each step as a stage in a research project, from forming a question to reflecting on findings.
Group Discussions: Facilitate structured group dialogues where each student is the primary driver to one step of the framework.
Problem-Solving Stations: Set up stations, each focusing on a different step (e.g., analyzing reasoning, identifying limitations), and rotate groups through them.
Reflection Journals: Encourage students to write short entries on each step after exploring new content or completing a project.
Peer Teaching: Have students create mini-lessons using the steps, culminating in an elevator pitch or summary to teach classmates.
Assessment Tool: Use the framework’s steps as a rubric to evaluate the depth and clarity of students’ scientific reasoning and presentations.
Magnets & Mag-lev Trains | Physics Critical Thinking Framework 4 Level Scaffold
Learning through a critical thinking framework on the topic of magnets and magnetic levitation trains allows middle and high school students to see the direct connection between fundamental science concepts and real-world technological applications. By encouraging them to formulate questions, examine data, challenge assumptions, and propose solutions, this approach deepens their understanding of physics while also sharpening essential 21st-century skills. Students become more engaged when they see how magnetic forces, energy consumption, and engineering design all intersect in a mag-lev train. Moreover, this framework empowers them to take on the role of problem-solvers and decision-makers, fostering intellectual curiosity and confidence as they learn how to systematically investigate and evaluate complex issues. After all, we can not and should not leave all the thinking to the chatbots! With this in mind, let’s engage with this excellent learning and teaching resource.
A critical thinking framework focused on magnets & mag-lev trains brings this complex phenomena into clear, student-friendly steps. By guiding learners to identify questions, evaluate evidence, and compare multiple explanations, it transforms the study of the phenomenon of magnets & mag-lev trains into an engaging, inquiry-based experience. Students gain a deeper appreciation for science as they piece together how magnets & mag-lev trains can work in the real world. Rather than just memorizing facts, they actively practice scientific habits of mind - analyzing data, identifying gaps in knowledge, and reflecting on the learning process.
A dedicated framework also saves time and supports more robust learning outcomes. It provides a structured path for teachers to implement discussions, projects, or small-group investigations without having to create all the resources from scratch. Embedded prompts and example strategies help students build confidence in their ability to think like scientists, meaning you can focus on facilitating exploration rather than constantly reinventing lesson plans. Ultimately, investing in this streamlined approach helps elevate student engagement, fosters critical thinking skills, and brings the world of magnets & mag-lev trains in real life to students in the classroom.
Bundle
Christmas Science 10 Research Project Templates + 10 Articles Digital Printable
From Christmas trees to the baubles that go on those trees. From the science of giftwrapping to snowflakes and cookies. Then to reindeer adaptations to the psychology of giving and artificial snow science. This bundle has you covered and helps students develop research skills with a STEM connection , science literacy and critical thinking prompts through thought provoking questions that link to some seasonal joy! Merry science-y Xmas everyone!
This research project template provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an project template with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. It gives a rich and supportive framework that can be tweaked as needed for students to support differentiation.
For the full available set of Teaching Resources from The Teaching Astrophysicist - Please Click Here
Each research project template includes:
Space for a one paragraph summary (that links to the 2 page science article also available on this topic - but does not have to).
Students should produce a mathematical connection, an engineering / technology connection, 2 interesting facts / stats.
5 glossary terms they should fill in with their own words (which also links to the science article also available)
3 thought provoking questions (ie: critical thinking questions) they must answer.
Finally, each template has 3 alternative thought provoking questions for younger students and 3 other alternative harder questions to extend high flying or older students. Giving you a total of 9 possible thought provoking questions that could be used with students to enhance their research and critical thinking.
Further, I have added a 1 page - 20 point rubric to be used for either self-assessment or teacher assessment as you deem fit. I hope it helps support the learning even further!
This template is some of my best work and I am proud to share it with you.
The science article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. I am very proud of this series of science articles and they are rich with information and wonder at the majesty of science. Each science article includes a fun fact(s) to add to the knowledge gained from this article. Formatted in an easy to read and digest manner, each paragraph is numbered to help with referencing and each question answer has a paragraph reference number to point to the specific information (where applicable).
WHY / WHEN TO USE:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy and research skills in your class
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast and you need a long running task
To inspire students on a particular topic
As a scaffold to support students who need support on research skills and can use a framework
To enhance critical thinking when doing research and making a relevant and interesting output
Give a selection of these research project templates for students to choose from
To enhance students ability to express ideas and synthesis knowledge
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Research Project Templates
10 - 7 page Word doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
10 - 3 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
10 - 7 page Google doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
10 - 3 page Google doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
10 - 7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
10 - 3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in both Word doc and PDF form
Science Article
10 - 3 page Word doc teacher version with answers
10 - 2 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
10 - 3 page Google doc teacher version with answers
10 - 2 page Google doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
10 - 3 page PDF teacher version with answers
10 - 2 page PDF student version without answers (but space left to do so)
Sound | Physics Research Project Template | HS-PS4-1 | Digital + Printable
Learning about the science of sound is important because it helps us understand how vibrations travel through different mediums to create the sounds we hear. This sound knowledge is foundational for fields like music, acoustics, communication, and engineering. The science of sound enables the design of technologies such as hearing aids, soundproofing materials, and advanced audio systems. Understanding sound also plays a crucial role in studying natural phenomena, from animal communication to seismic activity. By exploring the science of sound, we gain insights into both the physical world and ways to improve human interaction and technology. So let’s learn a bit together!
This sound science research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about sound. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this sound science research project template (webquest) with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
THIS SOUND SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS SOUND SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE:
7 page Google doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Google doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page Word doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in all three - Google doc, Word doc and PDF form
The Doppler Effect | Article + Research Project Template | Sub Plan Early Finish
Learning about the Doppler effect is important because it explains how the frequency of waves changes with the motion of the source or observer, a concept with broad applications in science and technology. The Doppler effect helps us understand the behavior of sound and light waves, enabling practical uses such as radar systems, medical imaging with Doppler ultrasound, and studying the motion of stars and galaxies in astrophysics. Understanding the Doppler effect enhances our ability to interpret wave behavior in real-world scenarios, improving technologies and expanding our knowledge of the universe. A great topic to learn about with this useful teaching resource.
This doppler effect research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about the doppler effect. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this doppler effect research project template (webquest) with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. It gives a rich and supportive framework that can be tweaked as needed for students to support differentiation.
Each research project template includes:
Space for a one paragraph summary (that links to the 2 page science article also available on this topic - but does not have to).
Students should produce a mathematical connection, an engineering / technology connection, 2 interesting facts / stats.
5 glossary terms they should fill in with their own words (which also links to the science article also available)
3 thought provoking questions (ie: critical thinking questions) they must answer.
Finally, each template has 3 alternative thought provoking questions for younger students and 3 other alternative harder questions to extend high flying or older students. Giving you a total of 9 possible thought provoking questions that could be used with students to enhance their research and critical thinking.
Further, I have added a 1 page - 20 point rubric to be used for either self-assessment or teacher assessment as you deem fit. I hope it helps support the learning even further!
The template is some of my best work and I am proud to share it with you.
The science article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can supplement lessons. It is an article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking. I am very proud of this series of science articles and they are rich with information and wonder at the majesty of science. Each science article includes a fun fact(s) to add to the knowledge gained from this article. Formatted in an easy to read and digest manner, each paragraph is numbered to help with referencing and each question answer has a paragraph reference number to point to the specific information (where applicable).
Refraction & Reflection | Physics Research Project Template | Digital + Print
Learning about the science of reflection and refraction is essential for students to understand how light behaves when it interacts with different surfaces and materials. Reflection and refraction are key principles in optics, explaining phenomena like mirrors, lenses, and rainbows. By studying reflection and refraction, students gain valuable insights into real-world applications, such as designing eyeglasses, cameras, and fiber optics for communication. Reflection and refraction also spark curiosity about the natural world, making these concepts engaging and important for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Reflection and refraction are must-learn topics in any science curriculum! With this in mind, let’s engage with this excellent learning and teaching resource.
This refraction and reflection science research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about refraction and reflection. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this refraction and reflection science research project template (webquest) with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
THIS REFRACTION AND REFLECTION SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS REFRACTION AND REFLECTION SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE:
7 page Google doc image - textboxes teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Google doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page Word doc image - textboxes teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Word doc image - textboxes student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in all three - Google doc, Word doc and PDF form
Please note: That the Doc versions are images with editable text boxes overlayed on top and this is the most effective way to keep the article sleek and well-designed and also that students cannot change things significantly.
Momentum | Physics Research Project Template MS-PS2-1 HS-PS2-2 | Digital + Print
Learning about the science of momentum is essential for students to understand how objects move and interact in the physical world. Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics, explaining everything from collisions and motion to energy transfer and conservation laws. By studying momentum, students gain critical insights into everyday phenomena, like car crashes, sports dynamics, and engineering design. Momentum is key to understanding forces and movement, making it an engaging and practical topic that builds problem-solving and analytical skills. Teaching momentum equips students with knowledge they can apply in science, technology, and beyond. With this in mind, let’s engage with this excellent learning and teaching resource.
This momentum science research project template (webquest) provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about momentum. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this momentum science research project template (webquest) with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
THIS MOMENTUM SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS MOMENTUM SCIENCE RESEARCH PROJECT TEMPLATE:
7 page Google doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Google doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page Word doc teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
7 page PDF teacher version with supporting appendix items
3 page PDF student version with space to fill in answers
1 page 20 point rubric for self or teacher assessment in all three - Google doc, Word doc and PDF form
Momentum Case Study - What The Heck? Science - Falling from the Sky Activities
Studying and learning about momentum becomes especially vivid when imagining a student hurtling toward the ground without a parachute. In this extreme (and thankfully fictional) scenario, the student’s velocity increases as they fall, creating a massive amount of momentum due to their speed combined with their mass. By exploring such a dramatic example, middle and high school students can grasp how momentum works in real-life situations, from car crashes to sports collisions. Understanding these principles not only builds a solid foundation in physics and momentum but also highlights the importance of safety and responsible decision-making. With this in mind, let’s engage with this excellent learning resource!
This what the heck science - momentum case study provides the perfect resource that can help your students learn all about momentum through an excellent opening activity that is effectively structured. Then leading to an truly engaging set of stories of survivors from falling out of the sky unassisted and surviving. This brings real scientific learning in an authentic and unusual way. Then the closing activity is a reflection of the opening activity, but with an entirely new twist to bring a new excellent way of learning.
For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this what the heck science activity set.
THIS WHAT THE HECK SCIENCE - MOMENTUM CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific engagement in your class
A small group task (or tasks)
To inspire students on momentum in an unusual way
Use to open, re-engage and close a unit on momentum
Provide it as independent work outside of class for a flipped classroom
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS WHAT THE HECK SCIENCE - ACTIVITY SET:
3 page opening activity in PDF, Word doc & Google Doc formats with fillable text boxes
3 page case studies reading and questions set in PDF, Word doc & Google Doc formats with fillable text boxes
3 page closing activity with twist in PDF, Word doc & Google Doc formats with fillable text boxes
Please note: That the Doc versions are images with editable text boxes overlayed on top and this is the most effective way to keep the article sleek and well-designed and also that students cannot change things significantly.
WANT MORE AMAZING PRODUCTS LIKE THIS WHAT THE HECK SCIENCE ACTIVITY SET? MANY ARE AVAILABLE!
I am very proud of this new what the heck science activity set. It is well build, makes an incredibly interesting way to bring science to students and is simply excellent.
Electromagnetic Suspension | Physics Science Article | Reading | Digital + Print
Learning about electromagnetic suspension for maglev trains is valuable for middle school students because it connects real-world applications to fundamental physics principles. By examining how magnets and electric currents work together to reduce friction and lift heavy objects, students see concrete examples of electromagnetism’s power. This topic also shows how engineers solve practical challenges, such as overcoming friction and ensuring safety at very high speeds. Understanding maglev technology can spark curiosity about future possibilities in transportation and inspire critical thinking and creativity. Moreover, exploring these concepts gives students a solid background in the science of forces and motion, preparing them for more advanced topics later on. With that in mind, let’s learn with this excellent teaching and learning resource.
This electromagnetic suspension science article provides the perfect grab and go, print and provide resource that can help your students learn all about electromagnetic suspension. For digital, you can provide a Google doc copy for ease of submission or a Microsoft word version as well. In this electromagnetic suspension article with questions to check comprehension and inspire scientific thinking.
THIS ELECTROMAGNETIC SUSPENSION ARTICLE CAN BE USED SO MANY WAYS:
Useful for substitute (sub) teaching
To extend students
To increase scientific literacy in your class
A weekly reading task
Great as a lesson filler when class goes too fast
To inspire students on a particular topic
Give a selection of these articles for students to choose from
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THIS ELECTROMAGNETIC SUSPENSION ARTICLE:
3 page Word doc teacher version with answers
2 page Word doc student version with room to fill in answers (text boxes)
3 page PDF teacher version with answers
2 page PDF student version without answers (but space left to do so)
3 page Google doc teacher version with answers
2 page Google doc student version with room to fill answers (text boxes)
New - now including a 3 page Editable Google Slides teacher version!
WANT MORE AMAZING ARTICLES LIKE THIS ELECTROMAGNETIC SUSPENSION ARTICLE? MANY ARE AVAILABLE!
I am very proud of this series of science articles and they are rich with information and wonder at the majesty of science. Each science article includes a fun fact(s) to add to the knowledge gained from this article. Formatted in an easy to read and digest manner, each paragraph is numbered to help with referencing and each question answer has a paragraph reference number to point to the specific information (where applicable).