Skip To Main Content
one student holds a flash light pointed at a styrofoam ball which acts like the moon, and then is also pointed at a bigger ball which acts as the earth to show the phases of the moon.
Why Does the Moon Play Peek-a-Boo?

Well, the moon always stays the same shape (a sphere, like a ball), but it looks different depending on how sunlight hits it as it orbits the earth. The moon doesn’t shine on its own—it reflects the sun’s light, and as it moves, we see different portions of that light.

Grade 5 students in Marissa Maglio-Kohler’s class at Riccardi Elementary School got hands-on to figure it all out! Armed with a flashlight (the sun), a ball (the earth), and a styrofoam moon, they explored how light and shadows create the moon’s different phases. Who knew science could be so illuminating?

More Stories

Student holds up a toothbrush he received in his goody bag.
February is Dental Health Awareness Month

Riccardi Elementary School marked the month with a fun assembly that focused on caring for those pearly whites. A local orthodontist shared how many baby teeth and adult teeth we have, talked about foods that help teeth stay strong and foods that can cause cavities, and reviewed the right way to brush and floss.