Watch science happen, in realistic 3D

How to use these lessons with a child

Each lesson starts with one question a child might ask, such as “Why does it get dark at night?” Before pressing Play, ask your child what they think will happen. Then watch together, pause, and drag the slider to look again. Below every model you will find simple answers, common mix-ups, things to ask, and extra detail for ages 9–11.

What makes these lessons different

• Real-looking 3D. Real textures and lighting, with strong shadows so the idea is easy to see.
• One main action. Play, pause and scrub. No sign-ups, no quizzes, no clutter.
• Accurate simplifications. Each lesson says what is not to scale and links to its sources.
• Works on phones and tablets. Designed for a child and a grown-up exploring together.

Lessons in this set

• Phases of the Moon: Why does the Moon change shape? Move the Moon around Earth and see why we see a crescent, a half Moon and a full Moon.
• Day and night: Why does it get dark at night? Spin a realistic Earth in sunlight and watch India go from day to night.
• Shadows through the day: Why do shadows change during the day? Watch the Sun cross the sky and see shadows stretch, shrink and swing round.
• Ice, water and steam: What happens when ice melts and water boils? Heat a pan of ice and watch it melt, then boil. Cool it to freeze it again.
• The water cycle: Where does rain come from? Follow one drop from the sea, into a cloud, down as rain and back along a river.

This is an early version, last updated 10 November 2026. Made by Akhil Paul.