Week 1: Earth Moon System

Week 1: Earth Moon System

1. What did you do in the lab today?

During the first week of lab, we reviewed the syllabus and discussed the activities we would do throughout the semester. We discussed the Earth, Moon, and Sun, focusing on the Moon's phases, the causes of seasons, and the phenomenon of a lunar eclipse. We worked in small groups to come to a consensus on the answers, and then came together as a whole group to discuss what was actually happening. 

We learned: 

  • All phases are completed when the Moon fully orbits Earth.
    • The Moon is lit by the Sun, which is why it appears to have phases when the Earth partially blocks it. 
  • A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth blocks the Moon's light from the Sun.
  • Earth is tilted towards the North Star.
  • The seasons happen when Earth is tilted away from or towards the Sun. 
2. What was the big question?

How do the Earth, Moon, and Sun interact? 

3. What did you learn in Thursday's discussion? 

My notes: 















4. Textbook
  • What did you learn?
    • Geo = “earth”, centr = “center” → geocentrism
      • The theory that the Earth is at the center of the solar system, with the Sun and other planets revolving around it.
    • Helio = “sun”, centr = “center” → heliocentrism
      • The theory that the Sun is at the center of the solar system, and Earth and other planets revolve around it. 
    • Equinox: When the equator is directly in line with the sun, it causes all of Earth to receive equal sunlight. 
    • Solstices: The two days a year that get the least and the most amount of sunlight. 
      • Occurs when the tropic lines are aligned with the sun. 
        • Tropic of Cancer - the most amount of sunlight 
        • Tropic of Capricorn - the least amount of sunlight 
  • What was most helpful?
    • The images in this reading were most helpful to me. Being able to see a photo of what I am reading helps solidify my thinking and how I imagined it. 
  • What do you need more information on? 
    • How Galileo discovered that the Earth orbits the Sun. 
    • What are good ways to teach these concepts to young learners? 
    • How to explain these concepts in a simpler way that is just as effective? 
5. What questions, concerns, and/or comments do you have?
  • I really enjoyed this first week of class! I love science! 

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