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Gain an understanding of the causes of seasons by observing Earth as it orbits the Sun in three dimensions. Observe the path of the Sun across the sky on any date and from any location. Create graphs of solar intensity and day length, and use collected data to describe and explain seasonal changes.

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In this multi-part investigation, students follow Arban, an Olympic-hopeful snowboarder in Mongolia, as he searches for the perfect year-round training plan. Students will explore climates in different parts of the world, learning that seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are the opposite of seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. Students will then gather data on day length, height of the Sun, and solar intensity to see how variations in these factors relate to seasonal temperature changes. Finally, students will compare two proposed models of seasonal changes, a distance model and a tilted axis model, and use their data to determine what causes seasons on Earth.

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Use a three dimensional view of the Earth, Moon and Sun to explore seasonal changes at a variety of locations. Strengthen your knowledge of global climate patterns by comparing solar energy input at the Poles to the Equator. Manipulate Earth's axis to increase or diminish seasonal changes.

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Observe the population of rabbits in an environment over many years. The land available to the rabbits and weather conditions can be adjusted to investigate the effects of urban sprawl and unusual weather on wildlife populations.

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Observe the motions of the Earth, Moon and Sun in three dimensions to explain Sunrise and Sunset, and to see how we define a day, a month, and a year. Compare times of Sunrise and Sunset for different dates and locations. Relate shadows to the position of the Sun in the sky, and relate shadows to compass directions.

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Learn why the temperature in the summertime is higher than it is in the winter by studying the amount of light striking the Earth. Experiment with a plate detector to measure the amount of light striking the plate as the angle of the plate is adjusted (and then use a group of plates placed at different locations on the Earth) and measure the incoming radiation on each plate.

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Observe the tilt of Earth's axis and the angle that sunlight strikes Earth on June 21 and December 21. Compare day lengths, temperatures, and the angle of the Sun's rays for any latitude. The tilt of the Earth's axis can be varied to see how this would affect seasons.

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In these investigations, students will gather and analyze data to compare two proposed models of seasons. Students will compare climate data in different parts of the world and see that seasons are opposite in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Students will observe the path of the Sun in different locations to see how changes in day length and solar intensity cause temperature changes throughout the year. Students will then use their data to create a model of how Earth's tilted axis causes seasons to occur.

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