The Arizona STEM Acceleration Project
Planet of the Robots
Planet of the Robots
A 5th Grade STEM Lesson
Nichole Bartel
March 2023
Notes for Teachers
Context: This lesson takes place in a classroom for may take more than one class period.
Students may work in small groups of 2-4.
An emphasis is on the student’s ability to recreate the rotation of the sun, moon and Earth.
Creative solutions should be encouraged.
Facilitate student reflection on what they learned about sun, moon and Earth.
List of Materials
Standards
Science Standards:
5.E2U1.7
Develop, revise, and use models based on evidence to construct explanations about the movement of the Earth and Moon within our solar system. �
Science and Engineering Practices: �
ask questions and define problems�develop and use models�plan and carry out investigations�analyze and interpret data
use mathematical and computational thinking�construct explanations and design solutions�obtain, evaluate and communicate information
English Language Arts Standards:
5.W.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
5.W.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
5.W.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 5.)
Ed Technology:
3-5.5.d. Students understand and explore basic concepts related to automation, patterns, and algorithmic thinking.
Objective(s):
Today we will research how the sun, earth and moon orbit.
Today we will collaborate and communicate effectively with our peers to design and engineer a model that demonstrates sun, moon and Earth rotation.
Today students will be able to design and engineer models with the robots demonstrating how the light from the sun, the moon and the Earth rotate/revolve.
Today we will write an informative text to be able to explain the rotation of the sun, Earth, and moon.
Agenda (3 class periods)
Have students create Earth, sun, moon, planets that can go on robots.
Have students experiment with light and movement to demonstrate the rotation of sun, earth, and moon.
Run the models.
Document the models with pictures.
Create a book to explain and teach what they have learned using pictures.
Intro videos
Unbalanced
Orbits of the Moon and Planets:
Misconceptions and Educational Research
Common misconceptions include:
Background knowledge for our book.
Diagrams and helpful links
Link for live view of planets: https://www.theplanetstoday.com/
Hands-on Activity Instructions
List of Materials
Assessment
Run your models.
Did the model show the day and night?
Were the planets lined up?
Were the planets in the right order?
What would you do differently next time and what would you keep the same? Why?
ELA Assessment
Were you able to create an informational text that outlined the project we completed and explained the planets, the sun, the moon, the earth and their rotation?
Were you able to follow the steps in the pre-writing process?
Were you able follow the steps of the writing process?
Was your student you presented this to able to learn from your text?
Differentiation
Use sentence starters or writing prompts.
You could make a diagram on the floor for students to use to start on the planet placement and orbit.
You could also provide word banks for the writing.
Remediation
Extension/Enrichment
Students can take this info and create a video to teach younger students about the orbit and planets.
Students can talk about the different planets and based on what we learned decide what planet would be the one that would be most friendly for humans.