Learning Exercise

Lunar Impact Crater

After investigating the various types of known lunar craters, students will have the opportunity to make their own craters, using different sized (diameter and mass) objects, comparing the types they create with those previously recorded from the Moon.

Course: 8th Grade Physical Science

Material:: Lunar Impact Crater
Date last modified:: June 22, 2006
Created by:: Cathi Graves Tudman
License:

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Lunar Impact Crater

Description and diagram of various types of craters on the lunar surface with links to specifically named craters. see more

Material Type:: Tutorial
Author:: Walter S. Kiefer

Exercise

Disciplines

Science and Technology

Audience

Technical Notes

Make sure you have permission to make mud (and noise outside!), a method to clean up and keep track of spherical objects (marbles, bb's, flat basketball or volleyball or soccer ball), a camera is helpful unless you are having the students sketch their craters and cooperation of rules (cannot throw objects at each other or windows, only drop!)

Requirements

Language Arts (ELD III level or higher ) Reading, conventions of writing.

Topics

Earth in Space
California Science Standard 4

Type of Task

Learning Objectives

Students will create their own craters, in mud that has been layered with flour and paprika (to show striations in the ejecta), to help draw conclusions on the speed and size of the objuects which could have created impact craters on the moon.