Exploration of Shadows in the Earth, Moon, and Sun System: Moon Phases and Eclipses part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This guided inquiry activity has students using models to create variations of alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. By varying their arrangement, students will discover how the positions of the Earth, Moon and Sun interact, how shadows can be cast on the Moon and on the Earth, and how Earth's view of the lit portion of the Moon changes.

Modeling Earth's Seasons by Rotation and Revolution part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
The students will discuss, define, and demonstrate the Earth's rotation and revolution around the sun, which models the seasons.

What sizes are the planets and how do they move around the sun? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is an activity to help students understand the abstract concept about how planets move around the sun and their relative size compared with other planets in the solar system.

Moon Phases Box part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is an observation opportunity for students to view the phases of the moon and learn that the juxtoposition of the Earth and moon dictates the appearance of the moon in the sky.

Investigating Lunar Phases part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a lab investigation where students design their own lunar phases model using household materials.

Tracking the Sun: Observing the Path of the Sun Throughout the Year part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
As an on-going project, students note the position of the sun by mapping a shadow on the classroom floor. They learn about the earth's tilt and the effect of the sun's light on our seasons.

Planets Made Real - Creating Size and Distance Scale of Planets in the Student's Community part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This activity is a classroom investigation where the students create, in size and distance, a solar system model in proportion to a selected sphere representing the earth.

Investigating Earth and Moon Surface: Impact Craters part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
In this activity students use a simple model of the moon to do an experiment to see how impact craters are formed. The lesson worksheets are differentiated and students are put into pre-determined teams by ability to conduct the experiment.

The Earth and Sky in a 24 Hour Day part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection
This is an indoor and outdoor activity where students understand the distance the earth is from the sun. The students understand that the earth rotates on it's axis once in a 24 hour period thus providing us with day and night.

What sizes are the planets and how do they move around the sun? part of MnSTEP Activity Mini-collection