The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project

Animating a Seasons Model with Scratch

Animating a Seasons Model with Scratch

A 6th grade STEM lesson

Author: Tim Malan

Date: 3/1/2023

Notes for teachers

I have a Scratch template where students can make a model of the seasons, one from a view above the ecliptic, one to the side of the ecliptic and then a distance-time graph.

List of Materials

• Laptops
• Template: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/812063242/

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Standards

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Science

6.E2U1.10 Use a model to show how the tilt of Earth’s axis causes variations in the length of the day and gives rise to seasons

6.P2U1.4 Develop and use a model to predict how forces act on objects at a distance.

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Objective: Students will be able to explain the reason for seasons by using the program Scratch to create an animated model.

Agenda (lesson time)

The teacher will ask students if they have a wall at home that has tracked their height over time. They will use this to introduce the idea of models that show change over time and the power of animating a model to help show this. (10 minutes)

The teacher will have students log into scratch and remix the seasons template provided, or the teacher will share the sb3 file on google classroom and students will upload the sb3 file to their scratch account. (20 minutes)

The teacher will find two youtube videos (or use the ones provided) that explain Scratch movement blocks and Scratch costume change blocks. (25 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYsXbbiZ4LI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvSTUwmRUdo

With the knowledge of movement blocks and costume blocks the students will play around and try to create an animated model of the solar system (120 minutes).

Intro

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The teacher will ask students if they have a wall at home that has tracked their height over time. They will use this to introduce the idea of models that show change over time and the power of animating a model to help show this.

Hands-on Activity Instructions

• Students will be using their laptops to try and code an animated model of the seasons.
• Here is the link for the template for an animated seasons model.
• https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/812063242/

Assessment

Here is a checklist and rubric to make it clear for students what they need to accomplish and how you will grade their progress.

Differentiation

Have a student do the movement blocks but to not worry about the costume blocks.

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Check in with students who may be having difficulties.

Remediation

Extension/Enrichment

Have students figure out how to move the sprites forward in time and backwards in time with arrow keys.