Earth and Space

Make a Play-doh Solar System

You may know that Jupiter is the largest planet in the Solar System, but do you know how much larger than the Earth it is?

Find out by creating a scale model of each planet in our Solar System!

 



The 8 planets of the Solar System made out of Play-Doh


What are Constellations?



Constellations shown in the night sky


Keep a Moon Diary

Have you noticed the Moon is brighter some nights than others? And it looks like the Moon changes shape? We call these changes the phases of the Moon.



A calendar for a month that has been partially filled in to show the phase of the Moon on each day.


Make a Comet on a Stick

Comets are large balls of ice, rock and dust but you can think of them as large dirty snowballs that travel through the Solar System.



A hand holding a lolly-pop stick. A comet is attached to the end of the stick. There is a starry black background.


Make Your Own Impact Crater

Impact craters are made when a space rock (called a meteorite or asteroid) hits a rocky planet or moon. The impact makes a round hole in the surface, called a crater.



Photo of the Barringer Meteor Crater in Arizona


What Happens During a Solar Eclipse?

A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth and Moon line up with the Sun. The Moon blocks sunlight from reaching Earth.



Photograph of a total solar eclipse


Why Do Shadows Change Over Time?

 

Have you noticed that your shadow changes over time? The cartoon on this page shows why shadows change during the day.

 



Screenshot of the shadows animation.


Seasons - The Sun in the Sky

In the UK, we experience 4 seasons each year. These are spring, summer, autumn, and winter. You may have noticed that the weather changes during each season. But have you noticed any other differences? 



Illustration of a tree in summer


Let's Explore Rockets!

Next time it's dark, why don't you look up!

Even if we can't go into space we can still learn a lot about it from right here on the ground.



A cartoon rocket flying towards the top right of the picture


Maths with the Moon

Short Intro Text: 
The Apollo mission badge. It shows a large capital A between drawings of the Moon and the Earth. The constellation of Orion is in front of the A
The Apollo missions badge
Credit: NASA




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