Science·Polar Regions·conceptual
Midnight Sun & Polar Night
Know that at the poles, daylight and darkness are extreme — in summer the Sun never fully sets (midnight sun) and in winter the Sun never rises (polar night lasting months) — and that this is very different from what we experience at home, where every day has both daylight and darkness
Suggested ages 5–7
Evidence of understanding
- Describe midnight sun: in polar summer, the Sun stays above the horizon all day and night
- Describe polar night: in polar winter, the Sun stays below the horizon for weeks or months
- Compare this to normal day-night patterns at home, noting the dramatic difference
Assessment prompt
Does Midnight Sun & Polar Night know the amazing fact that at the poles, the Sun doesn't set at all in summer and doesn't rise at all in winter — so there can be months of daylight or months of darkness?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.