Science at key stage 3 (Year 7)
Unit 7L: The solar system and beyond
Section 7: b. What causes the seasons on Earth?
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Objectives |
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- to collect data about temperature and day length, using ICT
- to interpret first-hand and secondary data about temperature and day length
- to follow the sequence of actions and processes being developed
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Activities |
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Outcomes |
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Children: |
- Help pupils to use a datalogger to test the validity of the 'tilted Earth' explanation of the seasons,
eg by placing a tilted globe at a distance from a source of light/ heat and using a heat sensor to monitor the change in temperature as it is moved from the north to the south pole along a line of longitude. Record and display the data as a graph for analysis and interpretation by pupils.
- Position the globe with Britain in a summer position relative to the light-source 'Sun'. Place a light sensor on one point and slowly rotate the globe. Collect data illustrating the differing hours of day length in summer and winter positions, and how this is dependent on the orientation of part of the globe to the 'Sun'.
- Provide pupils with secondary data about seasonal changes,
eg temperature, day length. Ask pupils to use both sources of data to relate seasonal changes to the model of the Sun, Earth and Moon system that they have developed.
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- interpret graphical data produced by a datalogger and relate this to knowledge about variations in day length and climate in different seasons
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Points to note |
- An alternative arrangement is to use two or three trays of sand exposed to the same light source, but inclined at different angles and to record temperature changes.
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This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of
activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by
moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
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