This 6th-grade science project, "3D Moon Phases: Earth View vs. Space View," helps students visualize the direct relationship between the moon's orbital position and the phase we observe from Earth. The primary goal is for students to use 3D modeling and animation to demonstrate how the "Space View" (the moon's location in relation to the Earth and Sun) causes the "Earth View" (the lit portion we see).
Students will use Keynote as their primary tool, importing a 3D USDZ file of the moon to serve as their main visual aid. The core of the animation will be built using Keynote's "Magic Move" transition. By duplicating slides and slightly moving the moon model on each subsequent slide, students will create a smooth, animated orbit of the moon around a central Earth graphic.
The process begins with students setting up their "Space View" by placing the Earth in the center of the slide and the Sun off to one side. They will then create eight separate slides, moving the 3D moon to each of the eight phase positions in its orbit (New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, etc.). On each slide, they will add a text label identifying that specific "Space View" position. Applying the Magic Move transition to these slides will bring the moon's orbit to life.
The most critical step is for students to demonstrate the "Earth View" on each of the eight slides. For any given phase, students will click on the 3D moon model and physically rotate it to show what an observer on the center "Earth" graphic would see. During the different phases students will label the various moon phases that occur.
Attach up to 5 files which will be available for other members to download.