In prior years, students learned the implications of the spherical-Earth concept and Earth’s relationship to the Sun. In grades 6-8 students study the Moon’s changing phases and learn to distinguish between phases and eclipses. They also learn about other objects in the Solar System and how they are held together by a force called "gravity." Students also learn about the Sun’s position in the Milky Way, which is just one of many galaxies in the universe. This broad overview of Earth in space will provide a useful framework for students to understand new discoveries in astronomy and new milestones in the exploration of space.
Earth and Space Science
Earth in Space