Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Tracking Geomagnetic Storms in the Ionosphere
The Sun is the ultimate source of the energy that powers weather systems on Earth. Geomagnetic storms are sun-powered storms in the upper atmosphere, arising from energized particles that are periodically ejected by the Sun. Among other...
Utah Education Network
Uen: The Night Sky
Learn about the rotation of the earth, the movement of the moon, and the position of the sun.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The North (Wall) Star
Celestial navigation is the art and science of finding one's geographic position by means of astronomical observations, particularly by measuring altitudes of celestial objects - sun, moon, planets or stars. This activity starts with a...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Shadow Shape Game
Play with PEEP to explore how shadows change when the position of light changes. Detailed teaching tips are included as well as additional shadow activities for the students.
Merriam-Webster
Merriam Webster: Dictionary Illustration: Solar Eclipse
Basic diagram of a solar eclipse illustrates the relative positions of the sun, moon, and earth.
PBS
Pbs: Why Do We Have Seasons?
A student-directed tutorial showing all aspects of seasons, including Earth's tilt position in relation to the sun, photos of typical weather during that season, and some informational text to support the visuals.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Portable Sundial
In this activity students will investigate the accuracy of sundials and the discrepancy that lies between "real time" and "clock time". They will track the position of the sun over the course of a relatively short period of time as they...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Lunar Learning
Why does the Moon not always look the same to us? Sometimes it is a big, bright, circle, but, other times, it is only a tiny sliver, if we can see it at all. The different shapes and sizes of the slivers of the Moon are referred to as...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: The Moon Lunar Cycle and Tides
Given models and illustrations, students will identify, demonstrate, and predict the sequence of events in the lunar cycle and relate the position of the moon and sun to their effect on ocean tides.
Quia
Quia: Brushing Your Teeth
This site gives you opportunities to practice putting the planets in the correct order from the sun. Press "Click here to begin" to get started.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Lunar Lollipops
The students work in teams of two to discover the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and Moon that produce the different phases of the Moon. The students will be given a Styrofoam ball that they will attach to a pencil so that it looks...
Illustrative Mathematics
Illustrative Mathematics: G Mg Solar Eclipse
In this task, students investigate why total solar eclipses are rare. They will learn that, in addition to requiring the positioning of the Sun, Moon, and Earth, the Moon can only completely block out the Sun when it is closest to the...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Modeling Earth's Seasons by Rotation and Revolution
In this lesson, students will discuss, define, and demonstrate the Earth's rotation and revolution around the sun in a counterclockwise position. They will be able to predict seasons based on the amount of light that hits the Earth.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Moon Phases Box
This activity is designed to allow students to observe and recognize the phases of the moon. They will develop a better understanding of the relationship between the position of the earth, moon and sun and how that affects the area of...
Institute and Museum of the History of Science
Museo Galileo: Multimedia: Video: Astronomical Use of the Plane Astrolabe
Invented in ancient Egypt, the plane astrolabe is a tool used by astronomers and navigators to determine time and identifying positions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. Read text or view the video to understand the details of its...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Shadow Lengths: Seasons
[Free Registration/Login Required] Watch this interactive animation that shows how shadow lengths change based on the position of the sun. Also on site is a short quiz
Utah Education Network
Uen: Patterned Paragraphs
Students will learn about the importance of including specific details when writing. Students will watch the teacher model "How to Make a Peanut Butter Sandwich." Then student will replicate the process for writing with specificity as...
Other
Center for Science Education: Eye on the Sky: What Makes Shadows?
Students will enjoy these activities where they draw shadows, and observe the sun's placement and how its position impacts on the size of a shadow.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Physics Simulation: Phases of the Moon
[Free Registration/Login Required] Learn how the steady motion of the Moon around the Earth, and the phases created by the relative position of the Earth, Sun, and Moon, allow us to tell time by simply looking at the shape and...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Phases of the Moon
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart demonstrates how the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun cause phases of the Moon. It also illustrates the positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun during a day and a month's time.
Other
The Astrolabe: Home Page
This site provides a very general overview of astrolabe principles with links to other pages for more detailed information.