Children explore further how our Sun  impacts us individually and as a society, and creates illustrations to demonstrate them.

Invite children to discuss the various ways in which our Sun impacts lives on Earth (for example, the Sun provides heat and light to Earth, plants grow using the Sun's energy, solar power is an important energy source, the Sun's energy drives our weather, storms from the Sun disrupt communications).

Have the children to use books and the Internet to research the Sun's influence on us. After the children have more information, hold another discussion and have them illustrate their increased understanding.

Last updated
January 22, 2007

Who?
Ages 5 and up

How Long?
40 minutes

What's Needed?

• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
• Paper or poster board

Connections to the National Science Standard(s)

Standards A&D (grades K–4): Communicate through writing or illustration an understanding that the Sun provides light and heat to the Earth and has properties that can be observed and described.

Standards A, D,&E (grades 5–8): Communicate an understanding, through writing or illustration, that our Sun is a major source of energy for changes on Earth's surface, such as growth of plants, winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle.

Standard A&D (grades 9–12): Understand and effectively communicate that the  Sun is our  major external source of energy and the energy for life primarily derives from it, and that it drives convection, and  by heating  the Earth's surface, atmosphere, and oceans it produces winds, currents, and our global climate.