Introduction
Today, we will be expanding on our knowledge of the Sun-Earth-Moon system to understand lunar and solar eclipses.
Please follow the directions carefully in order to successfully complete this WebQuest!
Task
Before we start this WebQuest, please fill out this PRIOR KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT to see what you know so far about solar and lunar eclipses.
Once you are done with that, please follow the steps below for our WebQuest Task:
1) Explore the following simulation on Solar & Lunar Eclipses: SIMULATION
As you explore the simulation, answer the following questions:
-What is blocked out in a solar eclipse - the Sun, Earth, or Moon?
-What order are the Sun, Moon, and Earth in during a solar eclipse?
-What is causing the shadow during a solar eclipse - the Sun, Earth, or Moon?
-What is blocked out in a lunar eclipse - the Sun, Earth, or Moon?
-What order are the Sun, Moon, and Earth in during a lunar eclipse?
-What is causing the shadow during a lunar eclipse - the Sun, Earth, or Moon?
2) After exploring the simulation, please watch this video from Generation Genius: Solar and Lunar Eclipse Video
3) At the end of the Generation Genius video, there is a demonstration you can do at home if you have: a meter stick, butterfly clips, tooth picks, and two different size clay (or clay like substance) balls. Please follow along with this demonstration if you can!
Evaluation
After the simulation and video, please fill out this POST ASSESSMENT. Remember to upload a labeled drawing of either a solar eclipse or lunar eclipse to the Post Assessment! In your drawing, please lab the Sun, Moon, Earth, penumbra, and umbra.
See you in class, astronauts!
Teacher Page
The WebQuest above is for the following NGSS standard: MS-ESS1-1. Develop and use a model of the Earth-sun-moon system to describe the cyclic patterns of lunar phases, eclipses of the sun and moon, and seasons.
Solar and lunar eclipses are an especially difficult concept to teach because the Earth-Sun-Moon system requires a lot of conceptual thinking. By having this lesson as a WebQuest, students can access the many great videos and simulations available online to assist them in their understand of solar and lunar eclipses.