What if the Moon Disappeared?

We all know that we can't live without the Sun. But what about the Moon? In this class, students will gain a new appreciation for Earth's neighbor in space by exploring what would happen if the Moon disappeared--or if Earth had never had a Moon at all. The Moon is more than pretty to look at; as it turns out, we may owe our very existence to it.

First, learners will be encouraged to speculate about how Earth would be different without the Moon. Then, we'll use a combination of slides, lecture, and discussion to explore this question in depth. Students will learn how the Moon:

-Influences animal behavior
-Causes Earth's tides
-Stabilizes Earth's axial tilt and seasons
-Slowed down Earth's rotation and led to our familiar 24-hour days
-Has served as the basis for many human calendars
-May have created the conditions necessary for life on Earth to begin

Students will emerge with a deeper understanding of how the Moon and Earth interact, and a greater appreciation for our natural satellite.