I need a science lab activity to teach the circumpolar constellations to 2nd and 4th grades. I will have 12 classes so I can't use a lot of materials unless it is something that students can bring in. Any suggestions?
Hello Dianne- You could have your students build their own "star wheel" (planisphere). I've used Uncle Al's star wheels with my high school students and 3-6th graders at a summer science camp. Uncle Al's star wheel is from the Lawrence Hall of Science Hands-on-Universe program. http://www.lawrencehallofscience.org/starclock/skywheel.html You could highlight the circumpolar constellations so that when they build the star wheel the students can readily observe that these constellations never rise or set. I also found references to a "dipper clock" and found a clock (paper manipulative) you can build at this website: http://www.starrynighteducation.com/images/free_resources/BigDipperActivity.pdf Sorry the other URLs dud not work. These should. This one the students would have to use at night outside of school.
Cris neither of the links seem to be working Would you mind checking as this seems very interesting
Thanks for letting me know. They are fixed now.
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