Fifth graders explore the Earth–Sun relationship at Robinson Barracks Elementary

STUTTGART, Germany – Students in Mrs. Kimery’s 5th grade class at Robinson Barracks Elementary School are bringing science to life through hands-on learning aligned with DoDEA College and Career Ready Science Standards. In a recent lab, students investigated how the Sun’s energy affects Earth and other planets in our solar system.

Using a lamp to represent the Sun, students built a scale model of planetary distances, where 1 Astronomical Unit (AU) equaled 25 centimeters. With meter sticks, tape, and a light sensor connected to a LabQuest device, they carefully measured how much light reached each “planet” at increasing distances.

As students collected and graphed their data, they discovered a clear pattern: the farther a planet is from the Sun, the less light energy it receives. They observed that light intensity decreases rapidly with distance, helping them understand why planets closer to the Sun are much hotter, while those farther away are colder.

This investigation supported key DoDEA science goals, including developing models, analyzing data, and understanding energy transfer. Students used real evidence to explain why Earth’s position is ideal for supporting life, compared to planets like Mercury or Jupiter.

Through this engaging lab, Mrs. Kimery’s class strengthened their scientific thinking while gaining a deeper understanding of our solar system. Their work highlights how hands-on exploration helps students connect classroom learning to the real world and sparks curiosity about the universe.