Magnetic Field and Solar Flares Lesson Plan
| Levels |
|
|---|---|
| Material Type |
|
| Heliophysics Big Ideas |
|
| NGSS |
|
| Heliophysics Topics |
|
| Heliophysics Missions |
|
| Material Cost per Learner | 1 cent – $1 |
| Language | English |
This Digi Kit for high school physics introduces the concept of energy in magnetic fields through use of a phone app, computer games, and a comprehensive set of NASA video and image sets. In the anchoring lesson plan, students use the magnetometer in the MagnaAR app to map field vectors of the magnetic field surrounding common magnets. Based on direct observation, they will construct explanations of how energy is stored in magnetic fields and represent their understanding of this energy flow through pie charts and diagrams.
This leads to the culminating activity, in which students study energy in a solar flare and apply that knowledge to authentic, cutting edge 2020 data of magnetic reconnection -- one of the key drivers of space radiation. This data from the NASA MMS Mission shows the first time when Earth satellites were able to capture magnetic reconnection that occurred when Earth's magnetic field collided against the Sun's. Watch the pre-lecture video to learn more about implementing the activity.