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Lessons to Explore Eclipses with Dash

April 3, 2024

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Help students understand the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse with this activity with Dash!

What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?

A solar eclipse is when the Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, casting a shadow on Earth. This occurs during the day, darkening the sky as the Moon blocks out the Sun’s light.

On the other hand, a lunar eclipse happens at night when the Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, causing the Earth’s shadow to fall on the Moon. During a lunar eclipse, the Moon may take on a reddish hue due to the scattering of sunlight around the Earth’s atmosphere.

Use the following activity to give your students hands-on experience with Eclipses so that they fully understand the big event on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Are you in the path of the eclipse? Let us know on Social.

Materials Needed:

A flashlight
Construction paper
Tape
Items to draw with (markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc…)
Scissors

Create the Moon, Earth and Sun using construction paper.
Tape the paper sun to the outside of the flashlight.
Code Dash to demonstrate what happens during each type of eclipse.
1. Solar Eclipse: Tape the Moon onto Dash’s head. Write a program that allows Dash to move in between the Earth and the Sun, stopping in between, then moving again. Hold or prop the Sun up at the same level of Dash’s head to show the shadow of the Moon blocking its light
2. Lunar Eclipse: Tape the Earth onto Dash’s head. Write a program that allows Dash to move in between the Sun and the Moon, stopping in between, then moving again. Hold or prop the Sun up at the same level of Dash’s head to show the shadow of Earth blocking its light
3. Extra Challenge: Tape the Moon onto Dash’s head. Write a program to show the orbit of the Moon around the Earth.
4. Extra Challenge: Tape the Earth onto Dash’s head. Write a program to show the orbit of the Earth around the Sun. Think of a way to show the Moon orbiting Earth at the same time the Earth on Dash is orbiting the Sun!