Season Seekers Slides Grade 1 ❄️
☀️
Season Seekers
STEM Engineering Adventure • Grade 1
TEKS 1.9(A) • Patterns in Nature
Space Travel Trouble!
"Commander Zorp is visiting Earth. He knows that Earth has 4 different seasons , but he doesn't know what to expect! He needs a house that can protect him from all types of weather."
🌸
Spring
☀️
Summer
🍂
Fall
❄️
Winter
Predict the Pattern
What comes next?
Seasons always follow the same order. If it is Summer now, what comes next?
What changes?
How does the air feel? What do the trees look like?
30 MIN CHALLENGE
MISSION 1: Seasonal Shelter
Build a shelter for Commander Zorp that can survive a specific season's "WOW" weather!
Your Weather:
❄️ Winter: Heavy Snow (Cotton)
☀️ Summer: Extreme Heat (Foil)
🌧️ Spring: Rain Shower (Mist)
Materials:
• Cardboard boxes
• Tape & Glue
• Cotton / Foil / Plastic
MISSION 2: Pattern Wheel
Help Zorp track the time! Create a Cycle Spinner that shows how nature changes.
Order of seasons
Animals & Trees
What we wear
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
Season Seekers Teacher Pack Grade 1 Teacher Guide: Season Seekers
Grade 1 • TEKS 1.9(A)
Objective
Students will describe and predict seasonal patterns including the order of occurrence and natural changes (trees, weather, clothing). Students apply this knowledge to engineer a shelter that withstands specific seasonal weather conditions.
The "Wow" Factor
The Weather Gauntlet: Test student shelters using "Simulated Weather" (spray bottles for spring rain, large cotton balls for heavy winter snow, and a desk lamp or hair dryer for summer heat).
Supply List
Small cardboard boxes
Cotton balls (Snow)
Aluminum foil (Heat)
Spray bottles (Rain)
Paper plates (Spinners)
Brads (Fasteners)
Masking tape
Lesson Flow (30 Mins)
0-5 MIN
Hook
Introduce Commander Zorp & the 4 seasons pattern.
5-20 MIN
Activity 1
Build & Test Seasonal Shelters (Engineering).
20-28 MIN
Activity 2
Assemble the Cycle Spinner (Pattern Modeling).
28-30 MIN
Wrap Up
Quick check: What season follows Winter?
MISSION LOG: Season Seekers
NAME:
DATE:
1
The Shelter Challenge
Which season are you building for? Circle one:
🌸 Spring
☀️ Summer
🍂 Fall
❄️ Winter
[ Draw your shelter design here ]
2
The Pattern Spinner
Draw one thing you see in nature for each season:
SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER
Scout Intelligence: Answer Key
STAAR-Style Review Questions (1st Grade Level)
1. Which season usually comes directly AFTER Winter?
A. Summer
B. Spring (Correct)
C. Fall
2. A student sees leaves turning brown and falling off trees. What season is it?
A. Summer
B. Spring
C. Fall (Correct)
Engineering Success Criteria
Winter Shelter: Must prevent "snow" (cotton) from entering the interior.Summer Shelter: Must have a "cool zone" or reflective surface (foil).Spring Shelter: Must be water-resistant (plastic or wax coating).Spinner: Must show seasons in the order: Spring → Summer → Fall → Winter. Sky Scouts Slides Grade 2 Sky Scouts
Grade 2 • Star & Moon Engineering
TEKS 2.9(A)
TEKS 2.9(B)
☀️
The Sun: Our Star
Light & Heat
The Sun provides the energy Earth needs to stay warm and bright.
Moon Reflection
The Moon doesn't make its own light! It acts like a giant mirror reflecting the Sun.
Mission 1: The Moon Mirror
Can you bounce the beam?
Use a "Sun" (flashlight) to light up a "Dark Planet" (box) by reflecting off your "Moon" (foil/mirror)!
Challenge Rules:
• Flashlight must stay in one spot.
• Box must be in the dark.
• Only the mirror can move!
WOW! Reflection!
Better Viewing!
Unaided Eye
✨
Stars look like tiny dots. The Moon looks small.
Telescope View
🔭
Craters, brighter stars, and secret details appear!
Mission 2: Sky Viewers
Build a Galactic Viewer to help focusing on distant objects.
Lenses (Plastic Wrap)
Body (Tube)
Focus (Slide)
Sky Scouts Teacher Pack Grade 2 Sky Scouts Teacher Guide
Grade 2 • TEKS 2.9(A), 2.9(B)
Objective
Students will describe the Sun as a star providing light and heat, understand moon reflection, and compare sky observations with/without tools. They will engineer a reflective "moon" system and a basic "viewer" tool.
The "Wow" Factor
The Flashlight Relay: Turn off classroom lights. Have students use mirrors to "bounce" light around corners to illuminate hidden space objects. This visually proves the Moon doesn't create its own light!
Supply List
• Flashlights (The Sun)
• Handheld mirrors or Aluminum foil
• Paper towel tubes
• Rubber bands
• Clear plastic wrap
• Permanent markers
• Small toys/hidden objects
Lesson Flow (30 Mins)
Engage (5 min)
Introduce the Sun as a star. Ask: "Is the moon a lightbulb or a mirror?"
Build (15 min)
Activity 1: Reflection Challenge. Activity 2: DIY Sky Viewer assembly.
Evaluate (10 min)
Compare views through the tube vs eye. Complete Mission Log & Review.
Mission Log
SCOUT NAME: ____________________________
RANK
SKY SCOUT
01 Mirror Moon Reflection
Place your mirror moon to bounce the sun's light into the dark box. Draw what happened below:
My Sketch
Did the moon make its own light?
YES
NO
Where did the light come from?
02 The Sky Viewer Tool
Look at a distant object with your eye, then through your viewer. Circle the difference:
Size
Bigger / Smaller
Focus
Blurry / Sharp
Detail
More / Less
Intelligence Report: Key
STAAR-Style Review (Grade 2)
1. Why do we see the Moon at night even though it doesn't make its own light?
Correct Answer: It reflects light from the Sun.
Concept: TEKS 2.9(A) Reflection
2. Which tool would help a student see craters on the Moon most clearly?
A. Sunglasses B. Mirror C. Telescope (Correct)
Teacher Fact Sheet
Sun as a Star: Emphasize that the Sun is the closest star to Earth, which is why it looks so much bigger and brighter than others.Reflection: Mirror reflection is specular. Moon reflection is diffuse, but the principle of light bouncing remains the core concept for 2nd grade. Orbit Operators Slides Grade 3 Orbit Operators
Grade 3 • Modeling the Solar System
TEKS 3.9(A) ORBITS • TEKS 3.9(B) PLANET ORDER
Going in Circles?
What is an Orbit?
An orbit is the curved path an object takes around another object in space.
🌍
Earth orbits the Sun once every year.
🌙
The Moon orbits the Earth once every month.
Mission 1: The Orbit Rig
Can you make it move?
Your challenge: Construct a model using paper and brads that allows the Moon to orbit Earth while Earth orbits the Sun!
ENGINEERING SPECS:
• Sun must be at the center.
• Earth arm must be longer.
• Moon must spin around Earth.
☀️
🌍
The Neighborhood
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
"M y V ery E ducated M other J ust S erved U s N achos"
Mission 2: Solar Sprint
We are going to map the solar system on the floor! Use the "Scale Steps" to place each planet in order.
Count your steps!
Label the zones
Orbit Operators Teacher Pack Grade 3 Orbit Operators Guide
Grade 3 • TEKS 3.9(A), 3.9(B)
Objective
Students will construct models explaining the orbits of the Sun, Earth, and Moon relative to each other and identify the correct order of the eight planets from the Sun using mnemonics and scale modeling.
The "Wow" Factor
The Human Orrery: Have students act out the orbit model by spinning and revolving in the hallway or cafeteria. Use a giant beach ball for the Sun and a marble for Earth to emphasize scale.
Supply List
• Brass fasteners (Brads)
• Cardstock/Heavy paper strips
• Markers/Colored pencils
• Round objects (Lids/Cups) for tracing
• Masking tape (for floor map)
• String or yarn (optional)
• Measuring tapes or yardsticks
Lesson Flow (30 Mins)
0-5 MIN
Engage
Introduce the word "Orbit". Mnemonic for planets.
5-18 MIN
Activity 1
Build the Sun-Earth-Moon Orbit Rig (Engineering).
18-28 MIN
Activity 2
Solar Sprint floor map (Scale modeling).
28-30 MIN
Check
Review planet order & orbit relationship.
Operator Log
COMMANDER NAME:
____________________________
Mission 1: The Orbit Rig
Draw arrows to show how they move:
Complete the sentences:
1. The Earth orbits the ___________________________.
2. The Moon orbits the ___________________________.
3. One full orbit of the Earth takes ____________________ days.
Mission 2: Planet Lineup
Label the planets in order starting from the Sun:
ORBIT INTEL: KEY
STAAR Check-In
1. Which model correctly shows the orbits in our solar system?
A. The Sun orbits the Earth and Moon.
B. The Earth orbits the Sun, and the Moon orbits the Earth. (Correct)
2. A student is modeling the planets. Which planet should they place FIFTH from the Sun?
Mars Jupiter (Correct) Saturn
Planet Answer List
1. Mercury
2. Venus
3. Earth
4. Mars
5. Jupiter
6. Saturn
7. Uranus
Pattern Pathfinders Slides Grade 4 Mission Data
Pattern Pathfinders
Grade 4 • Seasons & Moon Phases
TEKS 4.9(A) SEASONAL DATA • TEKS 4.9(B) LUNAR PATTERNS
Reading the Sky
Daylight Patterns
Did you know the Sun stays up longer in the Summer? We can use data to predict the next season.
Summer
14 hrs
Daylight
Winter
10 hrs
Daylight
Look for:
Temperature changes
Length of daylight
Repeating sequences
30 MINS
Mission 1: The Shadow Dial
Build an instrument to track the Sun's height! Use the angle of your shadow to predict the Season .
High Sun = Summer
Low Sun = Winter
The Moon's Changing Face
New Moon
1st Quarter
Full Moon
3rd Quarter
"The Moon cycle repeats about every 29.5 days ."
Mission 2: Lunar Phase Modeler
The Flip-Cycle
Create a mechanical Phase Modeler that shows the sequence of change from Earth's perspective.
!
Predict: If it's a Full Moon today, what will it be in 2 weeks?
Data Task:
Identify the pattern of waxing and waning.
Build Task:
Assemble the sliding phase-viewer.
Pattern Pathfinders Teacher Pack Grade 4 Pattern Pathfinders Guide
Grade 4 • TEKS 4.9(A), 4.9(B)
Objective
Students will collect and analyze data (temperature, daylight length, moon appearance) to identify sequences and predict patterns of change. They will engineer tools to measure these patterns and model the lunar cycle.
The "Wow" Factor
The Moon Oreo Lab: (Optional Supply) Have students use chocolate sandwich cookies to model the moon phases by scraping away the cream. It provides a tactile (and tasty) representation of observable change.
Supply List
• Flashlights (Strong beams)
• Craft sticks (Shadow Dials)
• Cardboard bases (approx 6x6 in)
• Paper plates or black construction paper
• White chalk or silver markers
• Protractor (optional for older 4th)
• Fasteners (Brads)
• Lunar Cycle data tables (included)
Lesson Flow (30-65 Mins)
0-10 MIN
Analyze
Examine daylight data. Identify current seasonal sequence.
10-35 MIN
Build 1
Shadow Dial construction & "Flashlight Sun" testing.
35-60 MIN
Build 2
Lunar Phase Modeler. Predicting next phase in sequence.
Final
Review
STAAR-aligned pattern check.
DATA LOG
Pathfinder Rank
RESEARCHER:
Seasonal Sequence Data
Date Temp (Avg) Daylight Length Oct 20 65°F 11 hrs Jan 20 42°F 10 hrs April 20 72°F 13 hrs
PREDICTION: Based on the data above, what season comes after April 20?
Mission 2: Moon Phase
Observe the pattern. Draw the missing phase:
The Moon's pattern is called a cycle because:
Field Intel: Key
STAAR Pattern Prep
1. A student records that the Sun rises earlier each day for three months. Which pattern of change are they likely observing?
A. The transition from Summer to Fall
B. The transition from Winter to Spring (Correct)
C. The rotation of Earth on its axis
2. If a student observes a Full Moon on May 1st, when should they expect to see the next Full Moon?
Rotation Rangers Slides Grade 5 Top Secret: Rotation Ops
Rotation Rangers
Grade 5 • Earth's 24-Hour Cycle
TEKS 5.9(A) • 24-Hour Cycle • Shadow Dynamics
🌍
The Big Spin
24
One Rotation
Earth rotates on its axis once every approximately 24 hours.
Day & Night
As we spin, we face the Sun (Day) or face away (Night).
Mission 1: Shadow Architects
Problem: An outdoor restaurant needs shade all day! Build a structure that keeps the target in shadow as the "Sun" (flashlight) moves from East to West.
CONSTRUCTION REQS:
• Structure must be stationary (no moving parts).
• Must provide shade at 9 AM, 12 PM, and 3 PM.
• Use only craft sticks, cardstock, and tape.
EAST
WEST
NOON
Apparent Motion
Rise
The Sun appears to move across the sky because Earth is spinning , not the Sun!
Axis
Earth spins on an imaginary line called an axis that runs North to South.
Direction
The Sun always appears to move from East to West .
Mission 2: 24-Hour Prototype
Build a mechanical model of Earth on its axis. Demonstrate how one single 24-hour rotation creates shadows that change length and position.
Variable:
Angle of the Light
Observation:
Shadow Position
Rotation Rangers Teacher Pack Grade 5 Rotation Rangers Guide
Grade 5 • TEKS 5.9(A)
Objective
Students will demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis approximately every 24 hours, causing the day/night cycle and the apparent movement of the Sun across the sky. Students will engineer structures to manipulate shadow positions and model the 24-hour cycle.
The "Wow" Factor
The Human Sun-Dial: Take students outside or use a powerful spotlight. Mark a student's shadow at the beginning of the 65-min period and again at the end. The dramatic shift in position is the "smoking gun" for Earth's rotation.
Supply List
• High-Power Flashlights
• Large craft sticks (Jumbo)
• Masking tape
• 8.5x11 Cardstock
• Polystyrene balls or Clay
• Skewers (The Axis)
• Compasses or Phone apps
• Building blocks/LEGOs (optional)
Mission Timeline (65 Mins)
0-10 MIN
Briefing
Rotation vs. Revolution. Define Axis & 24hr cycle.
10-35 MIN
Build Alpha
Shadow Architecture challenge (Stationary shadow target).
35-55 MIN
Build Beta
Mechanical 24-hour prototype assembly.
55-65 MIN
Debrief
STAAR Review & Data Log completion.
Mission Log: Rotation
Clearance Level: Grade 5 Ranger
Agent Identification
___________________
01 Shadow Architect
Draw your structure and the three shadow positions you achieved:
Field Sketch Area
9 AM
SUCCESS
12 PM
SUCCESS
3 PM
SUCCESS
02 24-Hour Prototype
Describe how your model demonstrates the difference between rotation and the apparent motion of the Sun:
Critical Thinking:
If Earth spun twice as fast, how many hours would be in a day?
Ranger Intelligence: Key
STAAR Master Key
1. Which of the following is caused by the Earth rotating on its axis every 24 hours?
A. The patterns of the four seasons.
B. The cycle of day and night. (Correct)
C. The phases of the Moon.
D. The distance of the Earth from the Sun.
2. A student builds a model to show how shadows change. What should they do to model the Sun's apparent motion correctly?
