First Graders are Over the Moon!
Students get a hands-on lesson on how the Moon was formed.
First graders in Ms. Deb Landon's science lab received an interesting lesson about the Moon and how it may have been formed.
The students watched a short video explaining one possible theory: that the early Earth was struck by a gigantic meteor, which blew an enormous amount of debris into space.
Eventually, the debris coalesced into a round object and moved into its current position above the Earth.
The kids had plenty of questions, and Ms. Landon had the answers.
What caused all the craters on the Moon? Smaller meteors, many of them, impacted the Moon. They punched holes in the surface, ejecting material in all directions, and leaving a crater. Even a tiny meteor can create a sizable crater merely from the speed at which it hits the Moon.
Ms. Landon devised a clever demonstration so the kids could see what a meteor does when it hits the moon. She took a kiddie swimming pool and filled it with baking flour. Then, students dropped rocks from above and watched a crater form in front of their eyes!
Ms. Landon, who believes in the power of curiosity, knew that this activity would spark their interest, as well as cement the experience into their core knowledge.
The students were fascinated by what they had created on their miniature Moon.
Why hasn't the Earth been pockmarked with craters like the moon? Fortunately, most smaller meteors either bounce off or burn up in our atmosphere. Occasionally, a meteor may be large enough or strike at the correct angle to impact the earth. Fortunately, those incidents are rare and don't cause major damage.
However, there is scientific and historical evidence that large meteors have struck the Earth and caused significant destruction. One theory is that a meteor precipitated the demise of the dinosaurs.
Jacksonville Country Day School
Located in Jacksonville, FL, Jacksonville Country Day School is a private school for Pre-K 3 through 5th grade. JCDS prepares students for a healthy and productive lifetime of intellectual exploration, character development, and social responsibility.
© 2023 Jacksonville Country Day School. All Rights Reserved.