3-D Constellation Boxes

This article has an inventive way to create a 3-D model of a constellation so that a student can get an idea of distances between stars in the constellation. Explicit directions are given. ... See More

This article has an inventive way to create a 3-D model of a constellation so that a student can get an idea of distances between stars in the constellation. Explicit directions are given. Students also study other culture's interpretations of their constellation.

A Point of View

We often look at constellations in two dimensions, but this activity uses the concept of scale to make a three-dimensional model of what we actually see and allows students to view the const... See More

We often look at constellations in two dimensions, but this activity uses the concept of scale to make a three-dimensional model of what we actually see and allows students to view the constellations from perspectives other than the Earth. This activity combines the fun of making a real model and allows students to practice scaling as well as understanding the idea of perspective. I really like this activity and think it would be great for middle school students.