Tracking the Sun

Students track and record data on the Sun's position in the sky and on the output of a solar panel tracking the Sun. On a second day, students graph and analyze the data to identify relationships between (1) the time of day, (2) the...

Capture the Sun's rays as best as possible. An engaging STEM lesson teaches scholars about how Earth's tilt causes the path of the sun to change throughout the year. They create solar panel systems that move both horizontally and...

Students experiment with photovoltaic cells and determine the energy use of their appliances. For this renewable energy lesson, students calculate the energy emitted by a photovoltaic cell through an inquiry-based lab. They keep track of...

Where in the universe are we now? Teach your future astronauts and astronomers about the Ecliptic, the imaginary line that tracks the Earth's rotation throughout the year. 

In this first part of a two-part lesson, learners track and record the sun's azimuth using a solar panel. They graph and analyze the data to identify relationships among the time of day, the altitude and azimuth of the sun, and the...

According to some ancient Mesopotamians, "The sun was put to shame" during a 14th century total solar eclipse. How can the moon, which is 400 times smaller than the sun, completely cover it? This video demonstrates the answer...

Learners study the apparent motion of the Sun in the sky over the course of a day and a year, and analyze what causes seasons on Earth. They participate in a project that has both a science as well as an art component.

Young scholars collect, record, and graph the sunrise and sunset times. They explain how the relationship between the tilt of Earth's axis and its yearly orbit around the sun produces the seasons.

Learners create a sundial and track the movement of the sun throughout the day. Modifications to the activity are provided for both lower and upper elementary students.

This is not a lesson plan, but an outstanding resource to provide material for your lessons on seasonal changes and animal migration. Links connect you to live web cams and up-to-date information on Monarch Butterflies, hummingbirds,...