Term 2 Topic - Space

My students are very excited to learn all about Space this term.

This term I am trialing a mix of 'High School type lessons', hands on activities and inquiry based learning combined.

Students have a page in their 'Science Journals' for their wonderings. This is the questions that want answered that they use each week for their mini inquiry. This is included as part of their homework, that they then present back to the class. They also have a notes page where they keep the important facts and figures that they come across during our sessions. Finally at the end of each focus their is a hands on session to help solidify what they have learnt.

Students spent week 1 of our topic learning about the Moon.
We looked at its orbit (Synchronous Orbit), composition, dark side of the moon, affect on earth, its place in the solar system and phases.

To help students remember the moon phases we used Oreos to carve out each phase. Students had to ensure their moon phases were elliptical and not circular just like the real moon orbit.

I had students in their STEM groups from last term and each group was given 8 Oreos. They had to use their notes to help replicate each moon phase. It was a very simple activity with outstanding results.