Seasons: Why They Change

What You'll Learn

Earth revolves around the sun once every 365.25 days, creating a year. The tilt of Earth's axis (23.5 degrees) causes the seasons as different hemispheres receive more direct sunlight.

Key Words

galaxy
light-year

Materials Needed

ruler
compass
black paper
foil
scissors

Safety First

Do not mix unknown chemicals together.
Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.
Protect your work surface with newspaper or plastic.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Look at the vocabulary words and write a definition for each in your own words.

Step 2 — Do

Track the moon's phase each night for two weeks. Draw what you see and identify the pattern.

Step 3 — Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 — Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What causes the seasons?