The students will understand the relationship between the Earth and the sun and how this relationship affects observable phenomena on Earth, such as the seasons. The activity will help students learn about these concepts and will...

The Sun is the ultimate source of the energy that powers weather systems on Earth. Geomagnetic storms are sun-powered storms in the upper atmosphere, arising from energized particles that are periodically ejected by the Sun. Among other...

The unit contains lessons and a presentation that allow learners to explore the Sun through images and investigate how magnetism from the Sun interacts with the Earth's magnetic field during space weather events.

Understand the role of the sun as the source of heat and light for living things on earth.

In this astronomy science fair project, investigate how the earth's axial tilt creates seasons. The Science Buddies project ideas are set up consistently beginning with an abstract, objective, and introduction, followed by a section on...

The following videos show sunspots using wavelengths of light that the human eye cannot see. Watch sunspots emerging on the earth's surface, a sunspot moving across the earth's surface, and the rotation of the sun as a sunspot evolves...

In this science fair project, use a globe and a heat lamp to investigate how the angle of the Sun affects global warming. This project includes the objective, background questions, a list of all the materials you'll need, and the...

These hands-on activities are a great way for students to gain perspective on the relative sizes and distances of each planet, the relationship between the sun and Earth, and much more.

How far would you have to travel so that the light of the full sun would provide "daylight" no brighter than twilight on Earth? This project describes a method to verify the inverse square law: how light, sound, electrical signals, and...

This simulation allows the user to see the sun's arc in the sky anywhere in the world at any time. By changing the season settings the user can see how seasons affect the height of the sun's arc.

Discover how the weather on the sun can affect things that happen here on the Earth.

Learn about the sun, the center of our solar system and the closest star to Earth.

Basic information about the universe, its origin and composition. Also includes information about galaxies, stars, and the sun.

In this lesson, kids build a shelter from the sun and test it using a UV-sensitive bead animal they create. If the shaded animal changes colors, then your shelter did not work.

Extensive article that discusses the first principle of climate science, i.e., that the Sun is the primary energy source for the climate system of the Earth. Presents five concepts for this principle and explains each, providing...

This unit contains a series of lessons that allow students to explore the effect of sunlight on Earth's natural surfaces of sand, soil, rock, and water. In addition, students explore how the color and material of a surface affects how...

Plenty of cool activities about the Earth's rotation can be found here, such as tracing shadows, observing shadows during different times of the day, and tracking the sun's path in the sky to understand the rotation of the earth.

Students perform many inquiry activities related to Earth's orbit. Included are recording daily temperatures, observing the sun's path over several weeks, tracking sunrise and sunset times, and angle of sunlight. Diagrams make lessons...

Site recounts how X-rays were discovered as well as who discovered them. Offers graphics, links to facts on this topic, a quiz, and teacher resources.

This video segment adapted from NASA describes the basic characteristics of our star, the Sun. Includes background reading material and discussion questions. Video length: 1 min. 28 sec.

Though we live on the surface of the Earth, we actually live at the bottom of an ocean of air. Dynamic layers of air interact with the Earth's surface and the Sun's energy to produce the phenomenon of weather. The atmosphere is...

This section is dedicated to educators to become expert instructors on topics like: distance between Earth, the Sun, and the moon, the phases of the moon, and reason for the seasons. Site includes information about how to address...

This engaging activity introduces young scholars to the concept of albedo and how it relates to Earth's energy balance. They measure the albedo using maps, data tables, and a shaker filled with popcorn kernels. Then, they estimate the...

This 2-part resource details how the Earth absorbs just enough energy from the Sun to sustain life. Content explores incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation.