In this animation, the students will represent the relationship between the Sun, Earth, and Moon and how this causes the phases of the Moon as seen from Earth.
Activity Details
Grade Level: 4-12
Age:10-18
Content:Planetary motion, Earth Science, Phases of the Moon, Astronomy
Objectives:
Students explore representations of the relationships between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
Students explore what causes the phases of the Moon.
Students explore the relative size and distance been the Sun, Earth, and Moon.
Activity Overview
Extensions:
To further illustrate the relationship between these three celestial beings, have the students try and find a sphere (gather a random assortment of sports balls, styrofoam balls, globes, etc.) that could represent a scaled model of the Sun. Then ask them to find an earth model and a moon model. Once the proportions are correct, have the students measure the distances between them to set up a larger scale model of three-object relationship. This extension is particularly useful in helping kids learn about scale, which in turn is very useful knowledge in making physics-accurate animations in the future. A chart with the actual diameters and distances between is below.
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