Go to my saved resources

The moon’s phases change based on its position relative to the Earth and the sun. As the moon orbits Earth and Earth orbits the sun, the sunlight hitting the moon shifts, creating different shapes in the night sky.

For example, during a New Moon, the sun is behind the moon, making it invisible to us. When the sun is to the right of the moon, the right side is illuminated, creating a First Quarter Moon. These phases follow a predictable cycle, helping us track time and understand our sky.

In this project created by Anna, a member of the Rosie Innovators STEM program for young women in high school, you’ll model the moon’s phases to see this pattern in action. Ready to explore? Gather your materials and follow the instructions below!

Required Materials

  • glow in the dark paint
  • magnetic canvas
  • black circle stickers
  • black light flashlight
  • earth stickers
  • paint brushes
  • paper plate

Step-By-Step Instructions

Step 1

Put 8 black circle stickers in a circle on the magnetic canvas.

Step 2

Place 1 Earth sticker in the center of the ring of black stickers.

Step 3

Dip your sponge brush in the paint.

Step 4

Paint the entire circle to the left of Earth (this is our “full moon”).

Step 5

Paint the right half of the circle directly above Earth (this is our “first quarter moon”).

Step 6

Paint the left half of the circle directly below Earth (this is our “third quarter moon”).

Step 7

For the circle in the top left, paint the majority of the right half, leaving just a crescent exposed on the left (this is our “waxing gibbous moon”).

Step 8

Do the same for the circle on the bottom left, except paint most of the left half and leave a crescent on the right exposed (this is our “waning gibbous moon”).

Step 9

For the circle in the top right, paint only a thin crescent on the right half (this is our “waxing crescent moon”).

Step 10

Do the same for the circle on the bottom right, except paint the thin crescent on the left instead of the right (this is our “waning crescent moon”).

Step 11

Don’t forget to leave the circle to the right of Earth with no paint! (this is our “new moon”).

Step 12

Paint a thin line along the right edge of the canvas (this is our “sunlight”).

Step 13

Let the paint dry.

Step 14

Proudly display your canvas by sticking it to your fridge or another magnetic surface!

Real Women in STEM

Resource 1

Dr. Sarah Noble

Dr. Sarah Noble is a planetary geologist at NASA and her division (The Planetary Science Division) sends robot explorers on missions to all corners of our solar system. Dr. Noble even has a main-belt asteroid named after her (named 133432 Sarahnoble)!