Goals for the session

Children aged 7 to 12 should understand that the Moon does not make its own light, that we see the part lit by the Sun, and that the shape we see changes in a regular pattern over about a month. They should also learn that scientists check models against real observations.

Children take away their four phase drawings and a Moon diary that turns the workshop into a month of observation. Sharing the diaries in a later session lets them see that different people, looking from different homes, recorded the same pattern.

Sample session: phases of the Moon (50 minutes)

For up to 15 children. Materials: a lamp without a shade, placed at head height in a darkened room; a polystyrene ball or orange on a pencil for each child; a phases worksheet; and a blank Moon diary sheet for each child.

• 0-10 min: Ask children to draw the Moon as they remember it. Compare drawings and note the different shapes.

• 10-25 min: Each child stands facing the lamp, holding the ball at arm's length. They are the Earth, the lamp is the Sun. They turn slowly on the spot, watching how much of the ball is lit.

• 25-35 min: Children pause at four points in the turn and draw what they see: new, first quarter, full and last quarter.

• 35-45 min: Match the drawings to the worksheet and put the phases in order.

• 45-50 min: Hand out the Moon diary. Children draw the Moon each evening they can see it for four weeks.

Safety notes

Never look at the Sun directly, through binoculars or a telescope, or through sunglasses; this can cause permanent eye damage. Say this clearly at the start and repeat it in the diary instructions. In the darkened room, clear the floor of bags and keep children spaced out as they turn. Evening sky watching should always be with a parent or carer.

Adapting for different ages

Younger children can focus on just two ideas: the Moon's shape changes, and it borrows light from the Sun. Older children can add a second ball for the Earth to show why an eclipse is rare, or use a free planetarium app such as Stellarium to find the Moon and planets before looking outside. When diaries come back, compare them as a group and see whether the real Moon followed the model.

Key points

• A lamp and a ball explain Moon phases better than a diagram alone.

• Link the indoor model to a real observation task at home.

• Repeat the rule about never looking at the Sun.

• Compare diaries afterwards to test the model.

Ready-made resources

Printable session plans and materials for this topic are available from EduTrend Contents: W4C-120 Young Scientists Lab.

Photos: Lucas Suesco, Zunnoon Ahmed / Unsplash