BACKGROUND:
The surface of many of the planets and moons are
different than the Earth. The Earth’s surface is hard, and is composed of
solid rock. The Earth’s surface continually changes, due to the presence
of liquid water and life, and the activity of plate tectonics.
The large gas giant planets, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune,
and Uranus, all have outer surfaces composed mainly of gas. You could not
really land on the surface of these planets; there is no "ground"
as we know it. However, many of the moons or satellites of the gas giant
planets have a cratered surface similar to our Moon.
The other inner planets, Mercury, Venus, and Mars have
a hard rocky surface like the Earth. However, many of these planetary
surfaces are inactive, and covered with craters like the Moon. The surface
of Pluto is probably rocky, but has not been clearly observed yet.
PROCEDURE:
-
This activity concentrates on the surface of the Moon. Learning about
the Moon's surface helps students to observe and describe the other
rocky planets. Explain the basic components of the Solar System,
including the
Sun, the nine planets and their moons.
-
Use the song "Zoom, Zoom" so children can get
a feeling for what the Moon is like.
ZOOM, ZOOM
Zoom
a little zoom in a rocket ship,
off we go on a trip!
Heading for the moon at a rocket clip
We’re going to zoom, zoom -
rocket
Zoom
a little zoom, now we’ve almost free,
from the Earth’s gravity.
Zooming to the moon at terrific speed
Because there is no friction
Soon,
we’ll see if the Moon is made of green cheese
ha, ha, ha, ha
Zoom we’re here at the moon
let’s see what the moon is like
Look
at those high mountains and wide craters and jagged peaks… and look at
that great big moon up there
That isn’t the moon, that’s our Earth
Oh, We’ve landed. I feel so light
Watch me jump,
30 feet, a world’s record
oh that is easy on the moon,
Keep your suit on, remember there is no air around here
Zoom
a little zoom in a rocket ship
home we go on a trip
Coming back to earth at a rocket clip
We're going to zoom, zoom - rocket
Zoom
a little zoom in a rocket ship
off we go on a trip!
Heading for the moon at a rocket clip
We’re going to zoom, zoom
- rocket
Zoom
a little zoom, now we’ve almost
free
from the Earth’s gravity
Zooming to the moon at terrific speed
Because there is no friction
Soon
we see if the Moon is made of green cheese
ha, ha, ha, ha
Zoom were here at the moon
let’s see what the moon is like
Zoom
a little zoom in a rocket ship
home we go on a trip
Coming back to earth at a rocket clip
We’re going to zoom, zoom - rocket
-
Show the students photos of the Moon. Ask them what is different about
the surface of the Moon compared with the Earth They should be able to
see that the Moon has many craters, with no trees, or rivers. The
craters are caused when meteorites (or big space rocks) hit the surface
of the Moon. The Earth has also been hit by meteorites, but wind, water,
and ice have covered up and destroyed their craters.
-
Tell the students that a long time ago people told stories about the
Moon to explain its light, movement and changes in shape. The Romans
believed that the goddess Diana drove a pale, silvery chariot across the
heavens each night. However, she often preferred to go hunting on Earth,
and would leave the night sky dark while she chased the animals.
In Burma, some people believed that the Moon was a silver rabbit that
lived in a box. On the first night after the new Moon, the rabbit would
open the box to peek out a little. He would gradually open the lid wider
until he was completely out of the box, at the full Moon. The rabbit
would then reenter the box slowly, until he was all the way in, at the
new Moon. The lid would then shut, and the night would be completely
dark.
There were also stories about the "face" in the Moon. Show
the students a picture of the Moon that is shadowed properly to show the
"face". Tell them that ancient peoples saw different pictures
in these shadows. The Iroquois Indians saw a woman who is weaving a
forehead strap. These straps were used to carry burdens. When she
finishes the strap, the world will come to an end. But when she gets up,
the cat that is always at her side unravels the strap, and she must
start over.
The Malayans of Southeast Asia see an old hunchback man, who is
sitting under a tree making a fishing line. When he finishes the fishing
line, he wants to fish up everything on Earth. He never gets finished
because a rat chews the line in two, so he has to start all over.
-
Show the students
the pictures of the Moon. If you purchased a Moon photo from the
Math Science Nucleus, you would be receiving original prints of the
photos produced by the U.S. Geological Survey from the original Apollo
missions when they were mapping the surface of the Moon. These
photos are from 1965. Otherwise, you can look on the internet
for pictures of the surface of the moon.
Using a Moon Box, have the students experience the surface of the
moon. If you want a large box for the entire class you would
need to make the box prior to the lab. Have the students each put a hand inside the MOON SURFACE BOX without
looking into the box. They will feel that the surface is pitted, and
covered with a little loose material. Next, have them look inside the
box, to see a make believe, eerie scene from the Moon. You may want to have
them compare the craters in the box with the craters on the pictures.
Make sure the students understand that craters are three dimensional.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING A MOON SURFACE BOX
Materials
large box with lid (storage box)
plaster of Paris
glow in dark stickers (star shaped)
sand
black or brown spray paint
Assembly
-
If necessary, cut a hole in the side of the box; the students will
look through this at the "moonscape".
-
Paint the box black, both inside and out.
-
Mix Plaster of Paris in a bucket. Spread a layer of Plaster of
Paris on the inside of the box. Make a cratered scene, so it looks
like the Moon's surface. Let it dry thoroughly before continuing.
-
Paint the craters gray and brown, to make them look realistic.
Make a scene on one side of the box with the glow in the dark
stickers. Students will be "peeking" in one of the holes
so make sure the stickers
-
Sprinkle a little sand on the surface to simulate "ejecta"
thrown out by meteorite impacts.
-
Next, tell students that they are going to recreate the surface of the
Moon using playdough. Give each child enough play dough to be able to
cover their tray. You may also give each child a rock or other hard
object to help them make craters. Make sure that real pictures of the
Moon’s surface are available, so that the students can accurately
model it. You can also add a little sand on the surface of the craters
to simulate material thrown out of craters.
HOW TO MAKE PLAY DOUGH
Materials:
250 ml flour
125 ml salt
5 ml cream of tartar
250 ml water
about 1/2 ml food coloring
about 1/2 ml oil
Cook this mixture, over medium heat, stirring it
constantly until it forms a dough-like texture. Knead it briefly, after
the mixture has cooled. Multiply this recipe by 6 to get enough for a
class of 30 students, but it should be made in two batches. Large amounts
of dough are difficult to stir because the mixture becomes firm. Store the
play dough in a plastic bag or a margarine container.
|
