Reasons for the Seasons

Winter, spring, summer, and fall—take the learning of the seasons beyond the elementary level to the middle school classroom. Curious learners begin by watching videos about the seasons and the rotation of planet Earth. Then, they...

Young scientists use a globe and a light to simulate the rotation of the earth and sun to show the seasons. Additionally, they simulate direct sunlight and indirect sunlight showing intensity of the sun, and answer questions based on...

There's more to that glowing ball of light in sky than most children realize. From the overall structure of the solar system, to the changing of the seasons, these hands-on lessons open the eyes of young scientists to the important role...

Unlock the mystery behind seasonal change with this collection of worksheets and activities. Whether they are drawing pictures of Earth's orbit around the sun, or graphing the temperature and daylight hours of different locations from...

Students compare graphs of their data that was generated on a NASA website.  In this seasons activity students complete a lab activity. 

From days of 24 hour sunlight, to endless nights that last for days, the Arctic is a very unique place to live. Examine the seasonal changes that occur in the northern-most reaches of the globe and the impact they have on the plants and...

Sixth graders conduct a controlled investigation to determine the length of the sun's shadow on a fixed object (i.e., flagpole, telephone pole, etc.) over a three-day period (one day in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the...

Considering the shape of Earth's orbit and the tilt of its axis, viewers see why seasons occur on the planet. Additional resources that come with the video include a discussion idea, multiple-choice Think questions, and Dig Deeper links...

Grizzly bears can be up to 600 pounds and require a great deal of food, especially to survive hibernation. Comprised of multiple games, the third lesson of five only uses one setup. Pupils run around a large field, sorting and collecting...

Why do some areas experience more extreme seasons than others? Scholars to explore this question with an inquiry-based lesson and a hands-on activity. Collaborative groups team up to collect temperature data using a globe, flashlight,...