IMPACT CRATERS - All Grades
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The circular features so obvious on the Moon's surface are impact craters formed when impactors smashed into the surface. The explosion and excavation of materials at the impacted site created piles of rock (called ejecta) around the circular hole as well as bright streaks of target material (called rays) thrown for great distances.
By recording the number, size, and extent of erosion of craters, lunar geologists can determine the ages of different surface units on the Moon and can piece together the geologic history. This technique works because older surfaces are exposed to impacting meteorites for a longer period of time than are younger surfaces.
WORLD CULTURES AND THE MOON - Grades 1-6
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In this 35-minute survey of four early world cultures, students will identify visual representations of Moon myths from China, India, the Aztecs and the Native American Oto tribe. The class will analyze the similarities and differences between the myths and representational styles of the cultures. The teacher will ask students to identify correlations between their own culture. The teacher will read the three myths and present small posters of the myths’ visual representations. The students will work in pairs to match each myth’s character with the representation and present their answers and observations to the class.
