When exploring Mars, spacecrafts are exposed to 5-11 times more sunlight than when near Earth. Groups of pupils complete a hands-on activity to explore how distance and angle of the sun affect temperature. Through discussions, they then relate this to how scientists keep spacecrafts, which are traveling closer to the sun, cool enough.

Concepts

sunlight, the four seasons, light intensity, angles

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Fits well in a unit on seasons, in a unit on engineering and design, or in a unit on space exploration

Classroom Considerations

• Teachers will need to blacken their thermometer bulbs for better efficiency; includes explanation for how to do this
• Part one takes place inside a dark room with no windows or extra light; part two is done outside on a warm or windy day
• Third in a four-part space series

• This resource is only available on an unencrypted HTTP website.It should be fine for general use, but don’t use it to share any personally identifiable information

Pros

• Part one places learners in groups of three, assigning each a specific job; part two does the same but in groups of five, which keeps groups engaged and on task
• Includes a plethora of information: teacher tips, extensive background information, worksheets, answer keys, additional resources and extensions

Cons

• None

Common Core

RST.6-8.3