A Model to Understand The Sun, Earth, and Moon Relationships
My students need a planetarium model to help them understand the relationships between the sun, earth, and moon.
FULLY FUNDED! Mrs. Smit's classroom raised $551
This project is fully funded
My Students
Models make understanding happen! Without models it is often too difficult for my students to understand how the position of the sun and moon affect the Earth.
I have been teaching 6th grade science in my public school for the past 4 years and my students are always eager to learn.
They are especially excited about their learning when it comes to the study of astronomy, but they often have a hard time understanding the relationships between the objects in space because it is so hard to visualize things they cannot see firsthand. Having a concrete model will help demonstrate the position of the sun, earth, and moon during events like eclipses, spring and neap tides, and the different moon phases, and will allow students to have a greater understanding of some of the most fundamental concepts of astronomy.
My Project
The Trippensee® Hand-Driven Illuminated Planetarium Model is a lighted model that shows the synchronized motions of Venus, Earth, moon, and sun. It also shows other planetary phenomena, including all the important Earth, moon, and sun relationships. This particular model is so beneficial because the light on it is used to graphically illustrate lunar, solar, and annular eclipses; phases of the moon; and areas of day, night, and twilight. I have used different materials to try and model these motions and their effects but they are often not to scale and leave students with misconceptions. Since this model has synchronized motions of the objects and has a lighted sun, the students will be able to see how the moon changes shapes to create the phases and why an eclipse occurs with the shadows that are created. The students will not have to imagine the different events that they learn about but they will be able to see them happening with a small scale model.
This project gives my students the opportunity to learn about the relationships of the objects in space without wondering if their ideas are correct.
This concrete model that shows how the sun, Earth, and moon interact gives my students the chance to develop an understanding of the objects in space without developing common misconceptions. Starting with a study of space that provides a solid foundation of understanding will set up my students for success the rest of the school year.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Smit and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.