Northern Lights Storybook
Explanation: Higher than the highest mountain , higher than the highest airplane , lies the realm of the aurora . Aurora rarely reach below 60 kilometers, and can range up to 1000 kilometers. Aurora light results from solar shockwave causing energetic electrons and protons to striking molecules in the Earth's atmosphere . Frequently, when viewed from space, a complete aurora will appear as a circle around one of the Earth's magnetic poles . The above digitally enhanced photograph was taken in 2005 January shows a spectacular aurora borealis above the frozen landscape of Bear Lake , Alaska , USA . The above image was voted Wikipedia Commons Picture of the Year for 2006.
| Levels |
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| Material Type |
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| Heliophysics Big Ideas |
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| NGSS |
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| Heliophysics Topics |
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| Heliophysics Missions |
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| Related Missions |
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| Material Cost per Learner | Free |
| Language | English |
Activity | Grades K-5 | This hands-on activity lesson plan integrates literacy and science by guiding introductory-level students to read cultural aurora stories and create custom books. Educators can use this resource to blend science instruction with cultural heritage. Students begin by reading traditional northern lights stories shared by Alaskan Native elders, which serves as inspiration for their own creative writing and book-making. By authoring custom construction paper books, learners actively process scientific concepts alongside artistic expression. This resource provides a practical, step-by-step approach to combining early literacy, science, and cultural perspectives in elementary classrooms.
Credit: UAF