Lesson Plan Library

All lesson plans are NGSS and CASEL aligned!

Browse our library of lesson plans created by educators for educators!

All lessons are NGSS-aligned for middle and high school classrooms and include an optional SEL component.

Each lesson links to a compatible X-STEM All Access episode featuring an inspiring STEM role model. View the full lineup of X-STEM All Access episodes HERE.

Looking for a lesson plan to accompany an X-STEM All Access episode?  Search by the episode title below to find the compatible lesson plan!

NGSS Performance Expectation
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Grade Level
Scientific Domain
Core Idea
Earth to Orbit: Materials in Extremes

Students explore material properties connected to their performance in extreme settings.

STEM Career Explorations

Students will engage in research, analysis, and creative presentations to understand...

Exploring Machine Tooling

In this hands-on lesson, students will explore various machine tools—such as...

Advanced Metrology: Exploring Acceleration with Hands-On Measurement Tools

Students build balloon rockets to investigate the relationship between force, mass,...

Introduction to Optics

Students explore the science of optics through hands-on activities.

The Science of Directed Energy Technologies

Explain how energy directed technologies use wave properties and their interactions...

Using Waves to Track Objects in Orbit

Students will communicate how reflecting telescopes use waves to track objects.

G-Forces in Fighter Planes

Students use F=MA to calculate the acceleration for various planes and...

Exploring Satellite Motion and Technology

Use mathematical and computational representations to predict orbiting object motions. Students...

Exploring GPS

Use GPS to measure, learn how it triangulates position, and is...

Scaling Objects in Outer Space

Examine optical wonders through studying lenses and focal points

Deriving Newton’s Law of Gravitation

Compare the law of gravitation with a computer modeled relationship between...

Engineering in Space: Safe Collisions

After analyzing asteroid impacts, students engineer and iterate an egg drop...

Homeostasis in Space Suits

Plan and conduct an investigation of how temperature is regulated by...

Analyzing the Mars Sample Return Program

Prioritize criteria to select which samples NASA should return from Mars.