Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group Newsletter 8 Visibility of eTwinning Projects Newsletter 8 | Page 38

Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2018 Newsletter
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Scientix resource repository for hands-on
activities related to space exploration in
preschool
by Merve Akyol Kiliç
There are hands-on activities about space in pre-
school. For decades research has shown that
hands-on learning at preschool is best. The National
Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC)—the world's largest organization of early
childhood professionals—says a quality early
childhood education is one in which “children are
given opportunities to learn and develop through
exploration and play... materials and equipment
spark children's interest and encourage them to
experiment and learn.”
Hands-on learning at preschool simply means the
children are active learners throughout the day:
exploring with materials, learning by doing, moving
throughout the classroom, and interacting with one
another. The teacher acts as a facilitator— not by
telling the children what to do with the materials—
but by asking questions that challenge them to use
them in new and creative ways. A teacher skilled at
hands-on learning will often begin her inquiries with
how: How can you build that bigger without it
falling? How can you make sure those plants grow
healthy? How can you all play together so everyone
has a turn?
1. Lunar Day
Materials: Two paper plates (10 inches – 25.4
cm), A4 printouts of the Moon and the Earth
(attachments), Scissor, Glue, Elastic bands, Access
to Internet
Goals: To demonstrate why the Moon always keeps
the same face towards Earth. To determine the
length of the lunar day.
Learning Objectives: Children mimic the Earth-
Moon system, one representing the Earth and the
other representing the Moon. As the children swing
around each other, they will notice that the Moon
always keeps the same face towards the Earth.
Th ey should also learn that the Earth and Moon
rotate at different rates: once a day for the Earth
and once every 29.5 days for the Moon.
Evaluation: By asking questions about the Earth-
Moon system:

What did the other students notice about
the Earth as the pair swung around?

What did the Earth child notice about the
Moon as the pair swung around?

Can the students explain why the length of
a lunar day is 29.5 Earth days?

The Earth shows different aspects to the
Moon. Can the students describe what happens?
2. Creating Asteroids
Scientix Resource Repository is a good start point
for hands-on experiments related to space
exploration. These three activities can be used in
pre-school space exploration.
Materials: Images of asteroids (provided), Clay (a
handful per participant), Paint brushes, Paint, Table
lining/protector
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