Teacher Workshop, April 2000

More Information About GEA-China GEA-China Updates Plans and Projects Accomplishments Introduction to China Founding Partners Founders Quotables Committee

Phases of the Moon

This activity demonstrates how to use critical thinking to solve problems.

Critical Thinking Rules

• Gather all information
• Question how the information was obtained
• Question the conclusion
• Examine the big picture
• Understand the terms
• Question the source
• Tolerate uncertainty

We all observe the different phases of the moon (full, half, new, etc.), but can we explain why it occurs?
All groups were given 3 balls to represent the earth, sun, and moon plus 2 wires and a stick pin.
Their goal was to make a model of the phases of the moon using these tools to explain how it works.
The purpose of this exercise is to question what you know and investigate solutions using the critical thinking rules.

Conference Highlights:

• Introduction
• Energy Survey
• Garbage Dump
• Web of Life
• Phases of the Moon
• School Posters
• Airplane Toss
• Marble Game