Home/Curriculum resources/Mathematics, moon phases, and tides/Inquiry-based learning questions
Learning Area:
Mathematics
Year level:
Level 8
Inquiry-based learning questions
This activity is a part of the Mathematics, moon phases, and tides resource.
Breaking Waves at Sunrise, Killarney Beach, Gunditjmara country. Tiffany Garvie. Source: Ngarrngga. © Tiffany Garvie 2023. Used under licence
These inquiry-based questions are provided for flexible classroom use, allowing teachers to tailor discussion and reflections specific to their classroom needs
Inquiry questions
How do the phases of the Moon relate to the angle between the Earth/Sun/Moon system?Â
How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples measure the light-coverage of the Moon (as a percentage) to determine phase type?Â
How do observations of lunar phases inform datasets of tidal amplitude measurements?Â
How can knowledge of tides be applied to real world scenarios?Â
Related activities within this resources:
What is Stellarium?
Discover Stellarium, a digital planetarium that offers a vivid depiction of the night sky worldwide, showcasing the celestial dance of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars in real-time.
Activity 1 - Measuring lunar phase angle and percentage illumination
In this activity, students estimate the illuminated lunar surface area during different phases, calculate phase angles, and explore the Moon's changing appearance throughout a lunar cycle.
Suggested timing:
30-45 minutes
Activity 2 - Establishing the link between moon phases and tides
In this activity, students analyse tide data from Murray Island to establish a link between lunar phases and tide amplitudes. Students then use this information to determine optimal fishing days based on Meriam knowledge of fishing, Moon phases, and tides.
Suggested timing:
30 minutes