This hands-on activity demonstrates and explains the reasons for the seasons caused by the tilt of Earth on its axis as it orbits around the sun.
This learning activity takes one 45-min class period.
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Middle School
Disciplinary Core Ideas: 1
MS-ESS1.B2: This model of the solar system can explain eclipses of the sun and the moon. Earth’s spin axis is fixed in direction over the short-term but tilted relative to its orbit around the sun. The seasons are a result of that tilt and are caused by the differential intensity of sunlight on different areas of Earth across the year.
Cross Cutting Concepts: 1
Systems and System Models
MS-C4.2: Models can be used to represent systems and their interactions—such as inputs, processes and outputs—and energy, matter, and information flows within systems.
Science and Engineering Practices: 1
Developing and Using Models
MS-P2.5: Develop and/or use a model to predict and/or describe phenomena.
High School
Science and Engineering Practices: 1
Developing and Using Models
HS-P2.3: Develop, revise, and/or use a model based on evidence to illustrate and/or predict the relationships between systems or between components of a system
Climate Literacy
This Activity builds on the following concepts of Climate Literacy.
Click a topic below for supporting information, teaching ideas, and sample activities.
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Teaching Tips | Science | Pedagogy |
Technical Details
Teaching Tips
- We suggest the instructor runs through the activity in advance of students conducting it to ensure the globe model and room set up both work well.
About the Content
- This activity demonstrates how the Earth moves around the sun. It helps explain that seasons occur on Earth because of the tilt of Earth on its axis as it rotates around the sun.
- Comments from expert scientist:
Scientific strengths:
- Demonstrates clearly and visually how a day, a year and seasons work in regards to earth's tilt
Suggestions:
- It should be noted that the only way in which the seasons activity will work is if the North star is properly located based on where other students are standing, the diagram has it correctly.
About the Pedagogy
- Students model the seasons with their own earth globes to assess how light intensity and day/night changes as the earth, on its tilted fixed axis, orbits around the sun.
- Discussion questions and extension ideas are provided.
Technical Details/Ease of Use
- Note that most of the "background science" links and one of the "related media" links at the bottom are broken, but this supporting information is not essential to do the demonstration and can be found elsewhere.
See how this Activity supports the Next Generation Science Standards»
