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Teaching Kids About Space Using Movies

Teaching Kids About Space

There are many complicated processes happening outside of the ‘safe haven’ of the Earth’s orbit. Many adults sometimes have a hard time wrapping their heads around them. It’s no wonder it might be an even more difficult task for children. Teaching kids about space using science fiction movies, however, can help them make their first step at understanding physics, astrophysics, and biology. Not to mention, it’s lots of fun compared to textbook learning!

The Iron Giant (1999): A Great Sci-Fi Kid’s Movie for a Historical Perspective

The heartwarming children’s film The Iron Giant, children are introduced to several wonderful themes, such as family, trust, doing what’s right. This movie also gives a fascinating look at an era in time called “The Space Race,” which started the year this film took place: 1957. This was an ultra competitive time between the Soviet Union and the United States, when both countries raced to produce more advanced space travel in an attempt to see which side was more scientifically advanced.

An overall fun film with a great message, you and your children can experience the complex emotions people had right after the launch of the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, by the Soviet Union. Laugh, explore, and experience the space craze that swept the nation during the late 1950s!

Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005): Finding the Gravity of This Amazing Space Movie

Zathura: A Space Adventure is an epic action movie about two brothers pulled into a space escapade with the help of a magic board game. Although this fun romp through the galaxy takes plenty of scientific liberties, some of the scenes are great platforms for space lessons – such as gravitational forces!

For instance, in several scenes, the brothers (and other characters) aren’t constrained by earth’s gravitational forces. As the boys float around and solve various puzzles, they use inertia, momentum, and Newton’s laws of motion for gaming success.

Interstellar (2014): Teaching Teens About Space Science Theories

In addition to extreme time dilation depicted in the movie Interstellar due to gravitational pull, Matthew McConaughey’s character experiences a lot of other hypothetical scenarios of exploring and living in space for extended periods of time. For instance, one of the movie’s intriguing concepts involves extreme time dilation caused by gravitational forces, offering a glimpse into the fascinating interplay between time and gravity.

Although written for a teenage audience, the out-of-this-world effects and wonderful performances really do complement the science-based story – especially one that is agreed by experts to be a relatively realistic depiction of complex science theories and their potential impact on everyday life.

To conclude: science fiction space movies can be a gateway to teaching kids about space

Whereas there’s a lot of fiction in space movies, there’s also a great deal of science to be learned (both with the true and the false!). Teaching kids about space with movies such as The Iron Giant, Zathura: A Space Adventure, Interstellar, and others can be a fascinating introduction to the amazing world of physics, astrophysics, and biology.

See more helpful teacher resources on our blog!

We’ve written about educational YouTube resources, some of which explain the science of space (including living on Mars). See our articles below for more resources you can use when teaching the subject of space:

Educational YouTube resources for better learning

More educational YouTube resources for expanded learning

Educational YouTube resources for older learners – Part 1

More educational YouTube resources for older learners – Part 2

Plus, see how these open education resources can help you with lesson planning surrounding space science topics:

Ways to use open education resources (OERs) when teaching

Slice Into Fun: 5 Fascinating Facts About Pi

5 Fascinating Facts about Pi
Oh, the joy of Pi Day—a mathematical jubilee celebrating one of the most influential numbers ever devised: Pi.

“Pi Day” was first introduced by physicist Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium in 1988. Nearly twenty-one years later, on March 11, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution officially designating March 14 as National Pi Day. Most people enjoy the day with delicious pies (in honor of the namesake) while chatting about the significance of Pi in mathematics and its applications in the real world.

Pi Day Facts

But What is Pi?

Pi (or the Greek letter π) is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. In other words, no matter the size of the circle, this ratio always remains constant. So, if you were to measure the circumference of any circle and divide it by the diameter, you would always get a value close to 3.14159 (which is shortened to 3.14 in most circles – no pun intended).

5 Rational Facts about an Irrational Number

As mentioned above, Pi Day is about two things: pie indulgence and exploring Pi’s quirky applications in the world around us. To help you on your Pi journey, here are five amazing facts about Pi that you probably didn’t know:

1. Pi is an irrational number, meaning the numbers in its decimal representation is infinite and non-repeating. Therefore, every number after 3.14 continues into infinity and no series of numbers ever repeats.

2. Pi Day also happens to fall on the birthday of one of the most influential scientists – none other than Albert Einstein! So, as you cut into that delicious piece of pie, make sure to toast Einstein and all he’s done for science!

3. Because Pi is an irrational number and its decimal representation goes into infinity without repeating, Pi enthusiasts around the world do their best to memorize the sequence. The current record stands at more than 70,000 digits memorized!

4. Along with its universal applications, Pi is used for more down-to-earth calculations. For instance, Pi influences architectural design, such as the structures like the Great Pyramid of Giza. Its ratio appears in the pyramid’s base perimeter, which is close to 2π times its height, demonstrating Pi’s impact on ancient architecture.

5. Because most objects in space move in an elliptical manner, it is important to use Pi in calculations. However, how do astronomers calculate mathematical results with an irrational number? The good news is scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) only need to calculate Pi to the 15th decimal (3.141592653589793) for their work.

Pi Day Celebrations

Try Some Pi Day Goodness

Let’s savor the unique charm of Pi Day and our delightful journey into the world of Pi. And remember, as magical as mathematics is, some of us have a hard time calculating those irrational numbers. To help, make sure you check out School is Easy and its amazing math programs! By doing so, we can all embrace the intricate beauty of Pi

Focus On Kid’s Health: Kids Staring at a Screen While Studying in the Dark Can Be Harmful

Focus On Kid’s Health

In this era of technology, it’s becoming increasingly common for children to spend a significant amount of time on devices like computers, iPads, and phones. They even use technology for educational purposes, both in school and at home. While there are numerous educational websites and apps that can enhance your child’s learning, it’s crucial to remember that excessive screen time, particularly in the evening, can have adverse effects on your child’s health. As a parent, your involvement in managing your child’s screen time is key to ensuring their well-being.

Pay attention to your child’s screen time.

A common myth is that if a child spends too much time in front of a screen, their eyes will be damaged, and they will need glasses eventually. This is false! As explained in a video by DNews, computers and other screens cannot permanently damage the eyes. However, staring at a screen can cause eyestrain, headaches, and a few other minor symptoms. Encourage your children to take a break from studying on a screen every twenty minutes or so. One good thing to do is to try focusing on something far away (30 feet or more), as it will give your kid’s eyes a break. Plus, taking a study break can improve your child’s creativity, so it’s a win-win situation.

Kids staring at a screen can lead to trouble sleeping.

Many students have late-night tendencies and trouble waking up in the morning. But is this just because they can focus better on their studies at night and stay up late because of it? According to Harvard Health, although teenagers naturally feel more awake later at night, staring at a screen before bedtime will push off their sleepiness even later. This is because teenagers are susceptible to what is called blue light. The blue light in screens mimics sunlight and causes low melatonin levels. This is why many teenagers might not get a very good sleep or have trouble waking up in the morning. They are on their phones right up until they go to sleep!

How to avoid blue light.

Sometimes, studying at night is unavoidable. If your child needs to use the computer before bed, try having them use a sleeping app like F.lux. This app is meant to reduce the color of blue light on screens after the sun goes down, helping your child’s body know when to go to bed.

Taking breaks from staring at a screen, limiting blue light, and limiting screen time after dark will all help your child’s eye health. Plus, it will help them get a better sleep at night! So follow these tips to study still bright but keep track of health.

Great Tips for Motivating Kids To Complete Their Summer Reading List

Complete Their Summer Reading List
Many kids have a summer reading list to complete before returning to school in the fall, with different books assigned based on their grade level. This summer reading helps keep their brains active and engaged during the break. Here are some ideas to motivate kids to keep up with their reading assignments while actually enjoy books!

1. Get out of the House for Reading Time

Make reading time fun by turning it into an outing! There are plenty of places to read with your kids, and exploring new reading spots can be a great adventure. Bring a blanket to the park and read under the trees, or visit a public library for a quiet environment that helps kids concentrate. High school students might enjoy reading on a university campus to get a feel for college life. Once your kids finish their allotted reading, they can enjoy some free time on the outing. By turning reading time something pleasant, you help them associate reading with fun activities.

2. Use Incentives as Motivation

Some children may need incentives or rewards to motivate them to read. You can create guidelines that include small prizes for short-term goals and a bigger prize for completing the entire reading list. One idea is to match their reading time with an equal amount of TV time. For a final reward, consider a trip to a theme park or a special activity chosen together. This approach can make reading more engaging and rewarding.

3. Set a Good Example by Reading With Your Kids

Want to inspire your kids to love reading? Lead by example! Instead of just telling them to read, grab a book yourself and make it a family affair. Reading together sets a positive tone wile turning it into a fun family activity. Plus, there are tons of awesome adult reading lists out there, so you can enjoy your own book while they dive into theirs. It’s a win-win for everyone!

4. Encourage Thoughtful Reading by Using Reading Journals

Looking to make reading more enjoyable for your kids? Encourage them to dive deeper into their books! Whether it’s discussing the story together or jotting down their thoughts in a summer reading journal, engaging with the material can make all the difference. Why not have them create their own reading response journal? They can write in it after each reading session, helping them remember key details and stay excited about the story!

5. Don’t Stop Once Your Kids Are Finished With Their Summer Reading List

Finished with the summer reading list? Don’t stop there! Let your kids keep the reading momentum going by picking out their own books. Knowing they have the freedom to choose can also be a great incentive to finish the assigned books. Who knows what new adventures they’ll discover next?