Solar System
Lessons about Earth, the Moon, the Sun, and more.
A Penny for Your Moon and a Quarter for Your Earth
Learning Objectives Children will… • demonstrate the motion of the Moon’s rotation. • demonstrate that the Moon keeps the same face toward Earth. Key Question Does the Moon rotate or turn on its axis? Materials ...
Earth Orbits the Sun
Learning Objectives Children will… • observe how Earth orbits the Sun. • learn the Sun is at the center of the Earth’s orbit. • understand one revolution of the Earth around the Sun is a ...
Go See This Eclipse
This To Scale film was made in preparation for the 2017 total solar eclipse but should inspire you to go see out a spot in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024 total ...
Gravity Well in a Bowl or Bucket
Mesmerizing marbles orbit around a gravity well just as Einstein imagined! From a small bowl gravity well to one that fits into a bucket, prepare to spend time rapt in orbital therapy. #STEMAZingVideo below shows ...
How big a celestial body are you? Earth, Moon, & Sun Sizing
Learning Objectives Children will… • observe the size differences between the Earth, Moon, and Sun. • discuss the location of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Key Question Of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, which is ...
Phases of the Moon
Learning Objectives Children will… • become part of a model to demonstrate the phases of the moon. • match the phase of the moon they see using the model to phase of the moon cards ...
Star Light, Star Bright
Learning Objectives Children will… • describe patterns in the stars. • learn what a constellation is, some names of constellations, and their mythology. Key Questions Do stars have patterns? When are the stars visible? Materials ...
Sun, Earth, Moon Model
A simple (not to scale) model of the sun, earth, moon system. Great for reinforcing the idea that a day is one earth rotation, a year is one revolution of the earth around the sun, ...
Sundials for Everyone! Evidence of Earth’s Rotation
Learning Objectives Children will… • learn what a sundial is and how it works. • observe and record the pattern of shadows the sun creates on their sundial. Key Question How can we use simple ...
Time Flies: Day, Night, Week, Month, Year
Learning Objectives Children will… • create a model of Earth rotating on its axis. • use the model to demonstrate a day and a week by making the model Earth rotate. • use the model ...