Winter Solstice

# An Ancient Tradition Tap into this time-honored celebration of the sun and mark the astronomical event of the season. Look to the skies with these VR resources, guiding students to discover the significance of the winter solstice, how it is caused by the Earth’s axial tilt, and the power it is believed to have held for prehistoric people. ## Key Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain that the solstices and equinoxes occur because of the Earth’s axis of rotation 2. Describe the symbolic meaning of the winter solstice and its connection to seasonal cycles for ancient civilizations 3. Compare common themes between modern celebrations of the solstice and its origins ## How to Use This Playlist: This playlist includes a range of resources designed to introduce students to the winter solstice as an event in the seasonal calendar and a reason for celebration. To preview a track, scroll down and select the track to preview. Here are some suggestions on how to use the resources: ***Years, Seasons and Days - What is Earth's Orbit? Explorable Scene*** - Discover the Earth’s rotation as it revolves around the sun, giving rise to seasonal variations in climate. Using this scene, students can observe the Earth in the four key positions that bring the vernal equinox, the summer solstice, the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice. - [Seasons](https://edvr.se/obY-P8J-kjO/what-is-earth-orbit) ***360 Images - World Locations at the Winter Solstice*** - Take students on a field trip to picture-perfect locations with these 360 images captured on the winter solstice. Ask students to consider how the sun is positioned over the horizon in the image of Loch Ryan or check who has been paying attention by questioning when the winter solstice is celebrated in Australia! - Loch Ryan In Winter - Winter Solstice Panorama of Perth, Western Australia ***Stonehenge Explorable Scene*** Channel the sacred meaning of this event with a visit to the ceremonial site of Stonehenge. Roam this Neolithic monument, an English Heritage site built on the alignment of the sunrise at the summer solstice and the sunset at the winter solstice, demonstrating an impressive ancient understanding of astronomy. Archaeologists have found evidence to suggest that the winter solstice may have involved ritual celebrations of the year’s harvest. - [Stonehenge](https://edvr.se/obY-P8J-kjO/stonehenge) ***360 Images - Winter Solstice Celebrations*** - These images spotlight some of the ways the winter solstice is recognized around the world in modern times. As the shortest day of the year , it is often considered a time of rebirth and renewal, foretelling the longer days and lighter times to come. Discuss the poetic symbolism of light and dark. Why does the Yule tradition of burning a log on the solstice continue to resonate in the modern era? - Winter Solstice at Stonehenge UNESCO site. - Winter Solstice celebration on Alberta square - Winter Solstice ritual in Old Riga, Latvia