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School Science Workshop... Earth Sun & Moon! | Fizzics Education
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Earth, Sun and Moon

Earth, Sun and Moon

Perfect primary school incursion for those studying the 'Night & Day' unit of work

🚀 Earth & Space: Celestial Relationships

Earth, Sun & Moon

Lunar Phases, Eclipses, Tides and Our Place in the Universe

How do the Earth, Moon, and Sun actually interact within our Solar System? This hands-on workshop dives deep into the celestial mechanics that govern our daily lives. From the mystery of lunar phases and eclipses to the science of tides and timekeeping, students explore these topics through rigorous scientific inquiry.

Through tactile investigation, students gain an appreciation of astronomy and insight into our place in the universe. We bridge the gap between abstract space concepts and observable reality, ensuring every student understands the fundamental differences between stars, planets, and moons.

Key Investigations:

  • Lunar Phases: Model how the Moon changes shape throughout the month.
  • Eclipses & Tides: Explore the alignment of celestial bodies and their gravitational effects.
  • Craters: What can surface features tell us about the Moon’s violent formation?
  • Seasons & Tilt: Investigate how the Earth’s axial tilt influences our climate.
  • Timekeeping: Discover how sundials used shadows to tell time for millennia.
  • Classification: Define the traits of stars, planets, and moons.
🌠 Looking for broader exploration? Check out our Stars & Planets workshop for deep space and galaxies.

Education-First Leadership

Led by Churchill Fellow Ben Newsome, we use specialized models to make complex orbital mechanics clear and memorable for every student.

Ben Newsome Fizzics Education

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

Online Class Option:

Interactive distance programs since 2010. Includes live demonstrations and hands-on activities with full child protection protocols.

🌌
Materials list provided on booking.
🎥
Zoom, Teams, or school software.

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science incursions

Australian ACARA Content Outcomes:

Science F-10 Version 9.0

Year 3
  • identify sources of heat energy and examine how temperature changes when heat energy is transferred from one object to another AC9S3U03
  • investigate the observable properties of solids and liquids and how adding or removing heat energy leads to a change of state AC9S3U04
Year 4
  • identify how forces can be exerted by one object on another and investigate the effect of frictional, gravitational and magnetic forces on the motion of objects AC9S4U03
  • examine the properties of natural and made materials including fibres, metals, glass and plastics and consider how these properties influence their use AC9S4U04
Year 3 & 4
  • examine how people use data to develop scientific explanations AC9S3H01, AC9S4H01
  • consider how people use scientific explanations to meet a need or solve a problem AC9S3H02, AC9S4H02
  • pose questions to explore observed patterns and relationships and make predictions based on observations AC9S3I01, AC9S4I01
  • compare findings with those of others, consider if investigations were fair, identify questions for further investigation and draw conclusions AC9S3I05, AC9S4I05
Year 5
  • identify sources of light, recognise that light travels in a straight path and describe how shadows are formed and light can be reflected and refracted AC9S5U03
  • explain observable properties of solids, liquids and gases by modelling the motion and arrangement of particles AC9S5U04
Year 6
  • compare reversible changes, including dissolving and changes of state, and irreversible changes, including cooking and rusting that produce new substances AC9S6U04
  • describe the movement of Earth and other planets relative to the sun and model how Earth’s tilt, rotation on its axis and revolution around the sun relate to cyclic observable phenomena, including variable day and night length AC9S6U02
Year 5 & 6
  • investigate how scientific knowledge is used by individuals and communities to identify problems, consider responses and make decisions AC9S5H02, AC9S6H02
  • pose investigable questions to identify patterns and test relationships and make reasoned predictions AC9S5I01, AC9S6I01
  • compare methods and findings with those of others, recognise possible sources of error, pose questions for further investigation and select evidence to draw reasoned conclusions AC9S5I05, AC9S6I05

Australian National Curriculum Mapping for all our science workshops & shows

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping

NSW Science & Technology Syllabus Content

A student:

  • ST2-9PW-ST describes how contact and non-contact forces affect an object’s motion
  • ST2-10ES-S investigates regular changes caused by interactions between the Earth and the Sun, and changes to the Earth’s surface
  • ST3-9PW-ST investigates the effects of increasing or decreasing the strength of a specific contact or non-contact force
  • ST3-10ES-S explains regular events in the solar system and geological events on the Earth’s surface

NSW Science and Technology K–6 Syllabus (Implementation from 2027)

For explanatory points & implementation advice, please visit the NESA Science and Technology K–6 Curriculum site.

Stage 2

ST2-SCI-01 uses information to investigate the solar system and the effects of energy on living, physical and geological systems

  • Model Earth’s revolution around the Sun and recognise that a complete revolution takes 365.25 days
  • Describe features of our solar system using multimodal representations
  • Demonstrate that gravity is a force of attraction between objects and Earth
  • Recognise that the force of gravity keeps Earth, moons and planets in their positions in the solar system

ST2-PQU-01 poses questions to create fair tests that investigate the effects of energy on living things and physical systems

Stage 3

ST3-SCI-01 uses evidence to explain how scientific knowledge can be used to develop sustainable practices

  • Research how living things can travel and survive in space
  • Examine the development of our knowledge through discoveries and technologies, and how these benefit humankind

ST3-PQU-01 poses questions to identify variables and conducts fair tests to gather data

NSW K – 10 Science Syllabus mapping
Print NSW Mapping PDF

VIC Science & Technology Content

VIC Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0

For explanatory points & implementation advice, please visit the VIC Curriculum F-10 site.

Level 3 & 4
  • forces, including frictional, gravitational, electrostatic and magnetic, can be exerted by one object on another through direct contact or from a distance and affect the motion (speed and direction) of objects. VC2S4U10
  • scientific investigations to answer questions or test predictions can be planned and conducted using provided scaffolds, including identifying the attributes of fair tests, and considering the safe use of materials and equipment. VC2S4I02
Level 5 & 6
  • the force of gravity keeps Earth and other planets in the solar system in orbit around the Sun; cyclic observable phenomena, including variable day and night length, can be related to Earth’s tilt, rotation on its axis and revolution around the Sun. VC2S6U07
  • repeatable scientific investigations to answer questions can be planned and conducted, including, as appropriate, deciding the variables to be changed, measured and controlled in fair tests, considering potential risks, planning for the safe and ethical use of equipment and materials, and obtaining permissions for investigations conducted on Country and Place or in protected areas. VC2S6I02

VIC F – 6 Science Syllabus mapping
Print VIC Mapping PDF

School Testimonials

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St John Boscoe Engadine

Engaging and lots of fun with hands on activities at the appropriate level of the students. They were very excited. Highly recommended.
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St Michael's Catholic Primary School

Thanks so much!

Science Show Activities

Caught in the Shadow

Model the difference between solar and lunar eclipses.

Celestial cross-sections

How are stars and planets constructed differently?

Gravity Pull

Model the gravity on Earth vs. Moon. Which planet's gravity is greater?

Gyrating Gyros

Why does the Earth wobble on it's axis in a 25,800 year cycle?

Distances in space

Measure the distances between the Earth, Sun & Moon. What about sizes?

Predict the Tide

Interpret a real tidal chart. How are tidal patterns formed anyway?

Sundial science

Learn how sundials work

Spiraling satellites

Satellite attenuation; what comes up must come down

Telescopic vision

Use a telescopic lens to read distant information

Troublesome tools

How is working in space affect tool design and use?

Turn the tide

A simple model showing the effects of gravity on water bodies

Eclipse

Model lunar vs. solar eclipses

Lunar phases

Why does the Moon look different throughout the month?

Seasons are changing

What has the Earth's axis got to do with climate?

Creating craters

Model crater formation... what do craters tell us about the Moon's formation?

Breathe in!

What would happen to an Astronaut if they didn't wear a spacesuit?

Back_side_of_the_Moon

Science workshop content

What Students Experience: The Space Laboratory

Students move beyond simple diagrams to explore the orbital mechanics and physical challenges of the final frontier. This workshop balances astronomical theory with the engineering reality of modern space exploration.

1. Earth-Moon Dynamics

The workshop opens with a visual exploration of our celestial neighbourhood. Using large-scale models, we investigate moon phases, eclipses, and tidal forces, explaining the physics behind the lunar cycles.

2. Physics of Rocketry

We move into the engineering of the mission. Students witness the explosive power of rocketry (Newton’s Third Law), the challenges of navigating orbits, and how gravity changes as we leave Earth’s atmosphere.

3. The Lunar Environment

The finale features our industrial vacuum chamber. We demonstrate the reality of the lunar environment, discussing the Artemis missions and the advanced materials science required for human survival on the Moon.

See the Workshop in Action

Video courtesy of Sacred Heart Primary Westmead

Which space workshop or show should I choose?

UP TO 240 STUDENTS
Destination Moon

View Stage Show

UP TO 30 STUDENTS
Earth, Sun & Moon

View Hands-on Workshop

UP TO 30 STUDENTS
Stars and Planets

View Hands-on Workshop

Extension: Join the AVA Challenge

Join the Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge, a national STEM initiative addressing NASA-identified technologies for lunar living.

Join at avachallenge.org

Our Commitment to Quality Science Education

Fizzics Education delivers reliable, syllabus-aligned visits that engage students and meet the practical requirements of the Australian classroom.

Professional Equipment: Providing access to professional-grade specialized equipment.

Qualified Presenters: Experienced educators trained for high-level inquiry.

The Australian Virtual Astronaut Challenge logo showing the AVA acronym on a stylised horizon with the southern cross

Requirements

🛰️ Workshop Logistics

Session Requirements

👥 Capacity & Timing

👨‍🎓 Attendance: Max 30 students per class.

🏫 Target: Designed for Years 3 to 6.

Duration: 60 or 90 minutes.

🛠️ Set/Pack: 45 mins setup + 45 mins pack down.

📍 Space & Power

🏗️ Tables: 12 to 14 tables required for hands-on stations.

🔌 Power: Access to 2 standard electrical power sockets.

🪑 Seating: Chairs are not required for students.

COVID Safe

COVID Safe: We’ll tailor the program to suit your school’s distancing requirements. Contact us here.

🛡️ $20M Public Liability
WWCC Checked
📋 Full Risk Assessments
🎓 Expert Educators

Go Further!

Complete Units of Work to Support Your Teaching

Save time and engage students in STEM with high-quality videos, printable experiments, vocabulary lists, and marking rubrics.

View Courses

Extend the Experience

Pair this workshop with a larger stage show for groups of up to 240 students:

Cost

💰 Workshop Investment

Earth, Sun & Moon

$580 inc. GST
60-Minute Workshop
✨ $19.33 per student
(Based on 30 students)

$660 inc. GST
90-Minute Workshop
✨ $22.00 per student
(Based on 30 students)

Early Bird: Book and pay within 7 days to receive 10% off your booking.

🌍 Global Reach: Also available as a live online class anywhere in the world.

📍 Regional: We visit country schools via Country Science Tours.

🌠 Extended Learning: Deepen exploration with the Stars & Planets workshop.

📑 Syllabus: Print a PDF for mapping of all science visits.

Ready to explore our place in the Universe?

Call 1300 856 828

4 Million+ Students Inspired since 2004

Enquire Now

Extension Ideas!

Extension Ideas!

Scientist Q & A

Often students attend our science workshops and shows with questions that stem beyond the covered topic area. Ask a scientist aims to give students a chance to get their questions answered! Run as a 30-minute session at a cost of $70 inc. GST.

Read More

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