Partial solar eclipses, teaching ideas and Developing Experts' Space units
On Saturday the 29th of March, the UK will witness one of the most captivating celestial events - a partial solar eclipse. Whether or not your students are aware of eclipses and why they occur, the following week presents a good opportunity to explore some space-themed tasks and questions.
When the Moon partially obscures the Sun, it casts a shadow on Earth and makes the Sun look like a crescent - this is a partial solar eclipse. It differs from a total eclipse in that the Sun is not completely covered, so proper eye protection is important.
The eclipse will start around 10:07am on Saturday, peak at around 11:03am and finish by midday. Visibility will vary across the UK.
If you’re able to over the weekend, you could take some images and videos of the eclipse to show your pupils next week. Developing Experts has some great space units that you can use to supplement your discussions. EYFS space is a great option for younger classes - even though pupils at this stage may not understand an eclipse, you could use your pictures to show them that we can still see what’s happening in space from right down here on the planet! Explain to your class that observing space in this way and having discussions about what’s happening is what scientists do to learn more about the topics they’re researching.
For KS2 pupils, Year 5 Earth and Space is a great option. This unit contains lessons on the movement of the Earth and the Moon, which you can use to aid your discussions about the solar eclipse. Our KS3 Space unit is the perfect option for secondary teachers.
You can find these three units online now on the Developing Experts platform. If you do catch the solar eclipse on Saturday, make sure to send us your pictures! You can find us on any of the social media platforms listed below.
X: DevelopExperts
Instagram: @DevelopingExperts
Facebook: Developing Experts