Magnetism
Since ancient times, people have known about some rocks that could attract iron. When these rocks were rubbed on other types of metal, they had the power to make them attractive too. These items could also push each other away, repelling each other.
- Magnetic Poles
Ancient Chinese thinkers figured out that a magnetic needle in water would always move to the same position. It would line up from north to south. This discovery led to the invention of the compass, which has been used ever since to help people find their way. The reason this works is that the Earth itself is a giant magnet.
Seasons
There are four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Parts of the Earth experience each season once each year.
You might think it gets colder in the winter because the Earth moves further away from the Sun. This is not true! In fact, when it is winter in Europe it is summer in Australia. So whenever it is winter somewhere on Earth, another part of the planet is having its summer.
Life on Earth
Planet Earth was formed around 4.5 billion years ago. The first signs of life began about 3.6 billion years ago, in the ocean. The water in the ocean protected organisms living there from the dangerous rays of the sun.
Life on Earth has taken billions of years to evolve. Life is characterised as anything which has the following traits:
Distances in the Solar System Poster
How far apart are the planets in the Solar System. The answer may surprise you!
The distance between the planets in our Solar System is not regular. The inner 4 rocky planets are spaced much more tightly than the outer 4 giant planets.
Download, print and display this free poster!
Planet Facts Posters
Do you know how many planets in our Solar System have rings? Or how many have moons? Learn some interesting facts about the planets in our Solar System with these free printable posters!
Life on Earth
How are living things connected? What do they need to survive? Can we find clues in the Solar System that help us find out why there is life on Earth?
Investigate Day and Night
On Earth, night follows day and day follows night. But why?
Complete this fun investigation to find out!