Sky Science - Why Do We Have Seasons?

Downloadable (1 PDF - 5 pages)

The Why Do We Have Seasons? activity can also be found within the Sky Science - Let's Do Science Bundle. If you are interested in purchasing this activity and more, you can check out the Sky Science bundle here.

During the activity Why Do We Have Seasons? activity, which is ideal for grades 5-7, students will explore why we have four seasons on planet Earth. Students will view a short animation showing changes in illumination of Earth during the summer and winter solstices. Then they will be  exploring how Earth travels around the Sun and how Earth’s tilt is responsible for the seasons.

By the end of the activity students should be able to:

• Understand the Earth rotates on its axis, which causes day and night
• Understand that the Earth’s tilt causes the differences in sunlight throughout the year
• Explain what causes the seasons

Additional resources included with the activity plan:

• Diagram of setup

Additional resource required:

• Styrofoam ball
• Bamboo skewer
• Permanent black marker
• Paper & pencils
• Erasers
• Colored penciles
• Flashlight
• Device with internet access