ECE – Solar System
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 solar eclipse which moves across the globe from Mexico through Texas across the United States through New York and just…
Read MoreSun, 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, and a lunar month (one revolution of the moon around the earth) is about 28 days.
Read MoreGravity 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 gravity wells in action. Add a PVC pipe guide for the marbles to experiment even further. Keep scrolling for Gravity…
Read MoreTime 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 to demonstrate a year by revolving around the Sun. • recognize which half of the Earth is experiencing day and…
Read MoreSun Earth Moon Vocabulary Cards
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 materials to tell time? Materials Paper Plate Pencil Play-Doh Compass
Read MoreStar 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 Constellation Luminary Battery-powered tea light candle Electrical tape Pushpin Paper towel tube Star Deck (optional) Single hole punch Flashlight with…
Read MorePhases 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. Key Questions What are the phases of the Moon and what causes them? What causes day and night on Earth?…
Read MoreEarth’s Rotation Hokey Pokey
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 year. Key Question How does Earth move around the Sun? Materials 9” Metal Pie Tin Dry Erase Marker Bouncy Ball…
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