Earth and Space Sciences
Earth, Moon & Sun
Students model day and night, the Moon's orbit and eclipses using globes and torches, investigate orbital motion hands-on with a funnel and ping-pong ball, and launch water rockets.
Year 3–4
90 min
up to 30 students
$490 + GST
What students will do
A teacher demonstration with scale planet discs establishes relative sizes and positions in the solar system. Students then use a globe and torch on a floor mat to simulate Earth's rotation, tracking which regions of Australia move in and out of daylight. A second globe-and-torch activity models the Moon's orbit and demonstrates the positions that produce solar and lunar eclipses. Students investigate orbital mechanics using a funnel and ping-pong ball, noticing how the ball's curved path mirrors a planet's orbit, before working in groups to launch Alka-Seltzer water rockets, connecting action-reaction forces to real space propulsion.
Learning outcomes
- Model how Earth's rotation on its axis causes day and night, using a globe and torch
- Describe the relative positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun and explain the conditions that produce solar and lunar eclipses
- Investigate orbital motion using a funnel and ping-pong ball, and connect this to the gravitational forces keeping the Moon in orbit around Earth
- Launch a water rocket and connect the forces involved to the idea of action and reaction
Curriculum links
- VC2S4I01Core
Observations can be used to pose questions and make predictions to guide an investigation. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S4U10Related
Contact forces and non-contact forces, including friction, gravity, magnetism and static electricity, can be exerted between objects and affect their motion. View on VCAA ↗
- VC2S6U07Enrichment
Earth is part of a system of planets orbiting the Sun under the influence of gravity, and its rotation and tilt cause day length and the seasons to change. View on VCAA ↗
Often booked alongside
Chemical Sciences
Christmas SciTech
Students grow a crystal Christmas tree, mould a bouncy snowball, unmask mystery liquids with a colour-change indicator, make instant snow, launch Santa's sleigh and build a snowball catapult to take home.
Physical Sciences
Force & Motion
Students measure forces with a spring balance, test friction across surfaces, feel inertia first-hand, launch reaction rockets, and explore magnetism and static electricity.
Physical Sciences
Heat & Energy
Students investigate how heat moves by observing particle movement, comparing conduction through plastic and metal using an infrared thermometer, and testing how insulators slow heat transfer.
Bring Earth, Moon & Sun to your school
Tell us your year levels and preferred dates. We'll confirm availability and bring everything with us.
Limited dates each term — one facilitator, one school per day.