Astronomy STEM Centers with Moon Phases, Constellations, Solar Eclipse

These are the ultimate solar eclipse lesson plans. Perfect for a family STEM night or for a day of learning about the moon and stars!

Learn about Astronomy, moon phases, solar eclipse, our solar system,
constellations, and more with 15 STEM challenges!

The perfect resource for elementary classrooms, school-wide STEM nights, and STEM clubs.

Why STEAM centers?

STEAM centers expose students to a lot of different ideas, materials, and challenges in a short amount of time. These challenges keep the attention of students and allow them to pick up those valuable STEM skills little by little as they work through each challenge.

STEAM centers also give students the flexibility to work independently or with a partner or small group. Look through the preview to see all of the STEM centers.

How to use STEAM centers:

Each center can be used as a whole class STEAM challenge or you may choose the activities you want students to complete and have them rotate through the activities as centers. If you are doing these challenges as centers we recommend students work for 10-15 minutes per center.

Includes:

• Teacher instructions
• Center place cards for tables
• STEM worksheets
• Engineering Design Process poster
• Examples for each activity
• Vocabulary words
• 15 STEM challenges
• NGSS Standards
• Common Core Standards
• TEKs Standards

Center 1: Solar Eclipse Flip-Book

Suggested Materials:

• printable page (included)
• scissors
• stapler
• colored pencils, crayons, markers (optional)

Center 2: Moon Phases Flip-Book

Suggested Materials:

• printable page (included)
• scissors
• stapler
• colored pencils, crayons, markers (optional)

Center 3: Lunar Orbit Spin Lab

Suggested Materials:

• printable Earth and Moon circle (Included)
• circle coasters or cut cardboard
• glue

Center 4: Cosmic Orbit Arena

Suggested Materials:

• printable solar system circle (Included)
• circle coasters or cut cardboard
• glue
• scissors
• colored pencils, crayons, markers (optional)
• wooden stylus or dull pencil

Center 5: Moon Phase Sliders

Suggested Materials:

• printables (Included)
• glue
• scissors
• colored pencils, crayons, markers (optional)

Center 6: Eclipse Journey Sliders

Suggested Materials:

• printables (Included)
• glue
• scissors
• colored pencils, crayons, markers (optional)
• scissors

Center 7: Constellation Creation

Suggested Materials:

• constellation cards (Included)
• pipe cleaners
• star beads

Center 8: Solar Swirl

Suggested Materials:

• Sun and Earth printables (Included)
• glue
• tape
• scissors
• paper clip
• colored pencils, crayons, markers (optional)
• paper plate
• magnetic wand
• wooden stylus or dull pencil