This week eighth grade students at Mount Madonna School participated in two hands-on astronomy labs.
In their first activity, twirling strings overhead and in front of them, students learned about the periods of revolutions various planets have around the sun, why some take longer than others and about the forces in space that keep planets in orbit.
A second astronomy lab engaged students in making planets to scale. Each eighth grader was assigned a planet and had to make it to scale in size and distance from the sun. Students quickly realized how far apart the planets actually are and how different in size they are, and in particular, how much bigger and further apart the gas giants are compared to the inner solid rocky planets.
“It’s a visual for students,” said teacher Nicole Silva, “to try and grasp the size of space in just our solar system.”
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Nestled among the redwoods on 375 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a diverse learning community dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville. Founded in 1979.