Moon
Lunar Phases and Eclipses
Activities
- A Paper Moon: Observing Lunar Changes (1st–5 th grades)
Observe the Moon through a month of changes and chart the pattern of phases. - Phrases for Phases: Singing the Lunar Cycle (1st–6th grades)
Sing a song that teaches and reinforces names, shapes, and the sequence of our Moon's eight primary phases - Fruit for Phases (3rd–9th grades)
Explore the movements of our Moon, Earth, and Sun that cause the phases of our Moon - Fishing for Phases (3rd–7th grades)
Play a game to reinforce the pattern of the lunar phase cycle - Fruit Loops (3rd–9th grades)
Students explore the dynamics of lunar phases and eclipses to develop an understanding of the relative positions of our Moon, Earth, and Sun that cause the phases of the Moon and eclipses viewed from Earth. - Golfball Phases and Embroidery Hoop Eclipses (5th grade–adult)
Students model the motion and changing appearance of the Moon using golfballs and blacklights, then follow up eclipses by modeling the Earth-Moon system as it orbits the Sun.
Information
- Background on Lunar Phases (educator)
Written for teachers and informal educators, this information would also be appropriate for students grades 7 and up. - TEKS alignment to Moon Phases (Educator)
This site includes the Texas science education standards as related to the Moon’s phases, current educational research on teaching phases, preliminary concepts, activities, and resources on teaching phases.
Other Resources
- Earth and Moon Statistics Powerpoint (Educators)
A powerpoint developed for use in teacher workshops, to be used in conjunction with hands-on activities. - Moon phases audio-visual resources (PK–adult)
Recommended videotape and cassettes for students from pre-school through adults. - Books on Lunar Phases (PK–adult)
A variety of recommended books with information, legends, and activities on lunar phases, for a broad range of ages. - Web sites for Lunar Phases (PK–adult)
Recommended Web sites for a broad range of ages, with information and activities on the phases of the Moon. - SkyTellers dvd and resource guide ( –8th grade)
LPI set comes with a dvd containing ten traditional Native American stories, each coupled with a science story. It also comes with a resource guide. - Activity Web sites for Eclipses (3rd grade–adult)
Recommended Web sites for a broad range of ages, with eclipse activities. - Informative Web sites for Eclipses (3rd grade–adult)
Recommended Web sites for a broad range of ages, with information on eclipses. - Books on Eclipses (1st grade–adult)
A variety of recommended books with information, legends, and activities on eclipses, for a broad range of ages. - Lunar Phases and Eclipses Powerpoint (Educators)
A powerpoint developed for use in teacher workshops, to be used in conjunction with hands-on activities and other preliminary powerpoints on the Moon. - MyMoon (undergraduate and above)
An evolving site with interactive information about the Moon and opportunities for visitor involvement.
Moon Missions
Activities
- As the Moon Turns - A Puppet Show (Kindergarten–6th grade)
Students learn about the formation and history of our Moon and how NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission will help us return. Children make puppets and then listen to — or present — a puppet show. - Moon Tune (4th–7th grade)
Students sing about NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission to the Moon and learn about how our Moon formed and changed through time, the search for water and other resources on the Moon, and future lunar outposts! - Moon Pie (3rd–6th grade)
Students work in teams to apply their knowledge about the Moon, its environment, and the LRO Mission to match responses to Moon questions. With the correct responses, they build a picture of the Moon. - Mission Moon! (5th grade–adult)
Students work in teams to assess environmental conditions, resources, and scientific relevance of different locations on the Moon, using data collected from previous lunar missions. They select the site they believe has the best potential for a future lunar outpost. The teams debate their conclusions and work together to determine which single site to recommend to NASA. - Build an LRO (K – 5th grade)
Students build edible or non-edible models of NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, learning about the instruments that the spacecraft will carry and how these instruments will help us better understand the Moon and plan for a future lunar outpost. - Build a Colony! (3rd-8th grade)
Students learn about space colonies and work individually or in teams to construct a lunar base out of craft items.
Information
- The Moon (high school–adult)
An extensive source of information on past and future missions to the Moon. Written at an adult level, it may be appropriate for high school students as well. - Background on our Moon and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission (educator)
Written for teachers and informal educators, this page provides information about the LRO, the limits of our knowledge of the Moon, its resources, conditions, formation, and plans for future human exploration of the Moon. - Reaching the Moon (adult)
This day-long Forum of educators and scientists was part of the 2008 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference; the site includes notes, participants, presenter information, evaluations, resources, and more.
Other Resources
- Moon Posters for Download (6–9th grade students and Educators)
A series of three posters explores what — and how —we know about our Moon’s formation and evolution, and how its history affects lunar resources. The front of the posters provide content depth for students, while back panels provide educators with information, activities, stories about the Moon, resources, and introductions to lunar scientists. - Connect to the Moon (High school students and up, Educators, and Families)
A menu of high-quality programs, activities, and information designed for a variety of audiences, and sorted by type and audience subcategories. Categories exist for formal and informal educators of various grade levels, as well as students and more general audiences. - Books, Products, and Recommended Web sites on the Moon (PK–adult)
Recommended books, Web sites, and products that can be used for activities and informing all audiences. - Powerpoints on the Moon, the LRO, and NASA’s plans for Exploration (Educators)
Powerpoints by scientists, mission specialists, and education specialists with detailed information, available for downloading and use in professional development. - Clementine Explores the Moon, second edition (high school and educator)
A selection of imagery and global data coverage obtained by the Clementine spacecraft. Clementine traveled first to the Moon, mapped it globally over the course of two months, and then travel to the near-Earth asteroid, Geographos, for a fly-by encounter. The lunar phase of the mission was completely successful in obtaining global maps of lunar color and topography. This is the second edition, revised in 1997. Images can be downloaded and used for free for educational purposes; also available as a slide set. Images are accompanied by detailed information written at a high school to college level. 35 images. - Apollo Landing Sites (high school and educator)
Photographic coverage of the regional setting for the six Apollo landing sites. Images can be downloaded and used for free for educational purposes. Images are accompanied by detailed information written at a high school to college level. 40 images. - MyMoon (undergraduate and above)
An evolving site with interactive information about the Moon and opportunities for visitor involvement.
Lunar Formation and Geology
Activities
- The Scoop on Moon Dirt (1st–6th grades)
Demonstrate the different properties of soil and the role of erosion in creating soil. Students examine two different local soil samples and compare them to lunar “soil” simulant. Students explore how soil forms on Earth by using water to wear down a “rock” of sand and ice. Next, they replicate the effect of wind using sandpaper and dry, brittle bread. - As the Moon Turns - A Puppet Show (Kindergarten–6th grade)
Students learn about the formation and history of our Moon and how NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission will help us return. Children make puppets and then listen to — or present — a puppet show. - Moon Tune (4th–7th grade)
Students sing about NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission to the Moon and learn about how our Moon formed and changed through time, the search for water and other resources on the Moon, and future lunar outposts! - Make a Volcano (5th – 8th grade)
Students build and map a play-doh volcano using repeated “volcanic eruptions” of vinegar and baking soda. They determine a volcano's history of eruptions based on the layering of different flows. Students examine images of lava flows on the Moon and use their experience to interpret the history of the flows. - Impacts! (5th – 9th grade)
Students examine images of Moon craters and speculate about what caused them, then model crater formation by dropping impactors into a box of different layered powders. Students examine and measure (optional) the effects of each impact and the features that impacts create. They compare their model results to lunar images.
Information
- Background on our Moon and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission (educator)
Written for teachers and informal educators, this page provides information about the LRO, the limits of our knowledge of the Moon, its resources, conditions, formation, and plans for future human exploration of the Moon. - Reaching the Moon (adult)
This day-long Forum of educators and scientists was part of the 2008 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference; the site includes notes, participants, presenter information, evaluations, resources, and more.
Other Resources
- Moon Posters for Download (6–9th grade students and Educators)
A series of three posters explores what — and how —we know about our Moon’s formation and evolution, and how its history affects lunar resources. The front of the posters provide content depth for students, while back panels provide educators with information, activities, stories about the Moon, resources, and introductions to lunar scientists. - Connect to the Moon (High school students and up, Educators, and Families)
A menu of high-quality programs, activities, and information designed for a variety of audiences, and sorted by type and audience subcategories. Categories exist for formal and informal educators of various grade levels, as well as students and more general audiences. - Books, Products, and Recommended Web sites on the Moon (PK–adult)
Recommended books, Web sites, and products that can be used for activities and informing all audiences. - Powerpoints on the Moon, the LRO, and NASA’s plans for Exploration (Educators)
Powerpoints by scientists, mission specialists, and education specialists with detailed information, available for downloading and use in professional development. - Clementine Explores the Moon, second edition (high school and educator)
A selection of imagery and global data coverage obtained by the Clementine spacecraft. Clementine traveled first to the Moon, mapped it globally over the course of two months, and then travel to the near-Earth asteroid, Geographos, for a fly-by encounter. The lunar phase of the mission was completely successful in obtaining global maps of lunar color and topography. This is the second edition, revised in 1997. Images can be downloaded and used for free for educational purposes; also available as a slide set. Images are accompanied by detailed information written at a high school to college level. 35 images. - Earth and Moon Statistics Powerpoint (Educators)
A powerpoint developed for use in teacher workshops, to be used in conjunction with hands-on activities. - Moon Formation and Processes Powerpoint (Educators)
A powerpoint developed for use in teacher workshops, to be used in conjunction with hands-on activities. - MyMoon (undergraduate and above)
An evolving site with interactive information about the Moon and opportunities for visitor involvement.
