Kinesthetic Model of the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth

This hands-on kit helps students physically model the motions of the Earth and Moon to understand day and night, lunar phases, and the interactions between the Sun, Earth, and Moon. Using a bright lamp to represent the Sun and handheld “Moon” spheres, students move, rotate, and observe light and shadow directly—turning abstract astronomy concepts into a concrete, memorable experience.

In this activity, each student represents the Earth while holding a small “Moon” model at arm’s length. By rotating their bodies and moving the Moon around them, students can observe how sunlight reflects off the Moon and how different viewing angles create the phases we see from Earth. The model also demonstrates the cause of day and night as Earth rotates and highlights how the Moon orbits Earth over time.

The activity is designed as a teacher-guided, interactive investigation where students test ideas through movement and observation, compare explanations with classmates, and develop generalizations about how the positions and motions of celestial objects produce observable phenomena such as moon phases, eclipses, and tides.

This kit also includes Mahina Pahu Waiwai – Phases of the Moon.