Grades: 5-8
Length: 6/19 Minute
Rights: Annual Lease
Internet: http://whro.unitedstreaming.com
This in-depth series covers a wide range of essential matters about the solar system. Such topics as planet formation, gravity, nuclear fusion, and the Big Bang theory are presented concisely with the help of specially designed graphics and animations. Each of the programs can be presented as a freestanding lesson on its own, but the programs also work together to reinforce important concepts and to add breadth and depth to a student's cumulative knowledge.
Block Feed
Tuesday 1/22/08 2:00-4:00 a.m. #1-6
1. The Sun: Our Star Attraction. The sun takes center stage of the solar system as its biggest, brightest object. The show explains how the sun's size and position help it do what it does -generate energy and hold the solar system together. Special attention is given to the sun's vital process of nuclear fusion. Students also learn about sunspots, solar flares, and solar wind. This show presents the sun inside and out - and follows its influence across the solar system.
2. The Outer Planets: Gas Giants. Beyond Mars lie four colorful giant planets made almost entirely of gases. The planets have thick atmospheres, lots of moons and rings, low densities, and rapid rotations, but they lack a defined, solid surface on which an astronaut might walk. Each gas giant is distinctive: immense Jupiter is 1,400 times larger than Earth; Saturn has wide, colorful rings; Uranus lies on its side; and Neptune is so far away sunlight reaching it is 900 times weaker than on Earth.
3. The Small Pieces: Asteroids, Comets, & Pluto. These lesser-known parts of the solar system illustrate an important point - the solar system has not completed its development. Untold numbers of small objects orbit the sun along with the planets. Astronomers are not always sure where they came from, or what their eventual fate will be, except that, over time, things will change in our less-than-stable world. Students are introduced to the Asteroid Belt, the Kuiper Belt, and the Oort Cloud, which holds billions of ice balls on the outskirts of the solar system.
4. Our Rocky Neighbors: The Inner Planets. The four planets closest to the sun - including Earth - are small and dense, made of rock and metal. As a group they are often called the Inner Planets, the Rockies, or the Terrestrials. This program compares and contrasts members of the group - Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars - to each other and to the planets beyond. Students also learn about orbit paths, planet rotation, atmosphere, gravity, and other general solar system principles.
5. How The Solar System Works. This is a primer on the solar system. The program describes the parts of the solar system - the sun, planets, moons, asteroids, etc. - and explains how they piece together with universal forces and various types of energy to form a complete system. The show also presents current scientific thought on how the sun and planets developed, and shows where the solar system sits in relation to the Milky Way Galaxy and the universe.
6. Moon Dance. The moon and Earth formed at about the same time from the same type of materials. Ever since, the pair has been dancing through space and time together. This program investigates ways the moon and Earth affect each other, why they became so different, and what the future holds for the relationship. It also covers a variety of general lunar topics such as ocean tides, the phases we see from Earth, and the Apollo moon landings.