The Tech Savvy Teacher

ATTENTION ALL TEACHERS!!!! HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF STELLARIUM?

This months's issue we will discuss the new-found software Stellarium and how helpful it can be in your classroom! It's a wonderful way to have a visual aid for your students representing the solar system. You can zoom in on particular plantets and soar over the whole solar system with your class! It is a software that comes free on the MAC computers.

A group of teachers put together a science activity for their classrooms. We decided to take a trip to the Solar System! We wanted to have our class land on each planet and learn something imporant about that planet. At each planet, we planned an activity that would involve the students and help the learning process. For a couple of the planets, we used the Stellarum software to show the students where we were and what was unique about that particular planet.

This Stellarium software enhanced the student's ability to observe the planets on a closer level. They were able to connect the location of the planets in relation to the other planets. They were able to gain a better picture of what each planet looks like and what makes them distinct. Further more, they were able to see the solar system as a whole at a closer level.

THE TECH SAVVY TEACHER:

Standard 3: Objective 1: Describe and compare the components of the solar system.
Setup: Have the class split into 7 groups. Assign each group a planet to learn about. Have Stellarium already downloaded on your computer as well.
Hook: Have the children come in to a classroom already prepared for takeoff. Have all the desks to the side and all the chairs in three or four lines.
Teacher in Role: Tell the children that you are going on a space adventure. You are going to visit all the planets and learn about the different qualities of each planet. They need to get their space helmets on and all their space gear ready for lift off!
Chorus: COUNTDOWN!!! 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1…BLAST OFF!!
Improvisation: Have the children act out what they think it would be like to blast off.
Teacher in Role: We’re off to the sun! What do you know about the sun?
List on whiteboard the different characteristics.
It’s too hot here…Let’s go!
Improvisation: Travel to Mercury. While they are traveling, have the children figure out what their weight would be on Mercury. (http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight)
Instruct: Bring up the Stellarium software. Show the children what Mercury looks like. Have the children describe what they see on the planet. Have the Mercury group present on what they learned.
Improvisation: Have the children act out what they think moving around on Mercury would be like.
Teacher in Role: Ok everyone! Let’s load back on the spaceship and prepare for take off to Venus!
Instruct: Travel to Venus. Bring up Stellarium and the view of Venus. Have the Venus group share what they learned. Have the children describe what they see.
Teacher in Role: Ok we’re going to travel to Mars now! Wave to Earth as we zoom by!
Instruct: Bring up picture of Mars. Ask the children what they know about Mars. Have the Mars group talk about what they learned. As a teacher, make sure you include information on latest space discoveries that NASA is currently involved in.
Teacher in Role: Ok space cadets, we’re going to travel through the asteroids. Everyone make sure you’re buckled up and ready for a ride!
Improvisation: Have the children act out how they would dodge asteroids. Make sure you clarify that no one should touch each other or bump into each other.
Teacher in Role: Phew! We made it to Jupiter. What do you know about Jupiter? Have the group present about Jupiter. Make sure you tell them about all the moons. Also, make sure you have them find their weight on Jupiter.
Freeze Frame: Walk around like you think it would be like on Jupiter. Remember, there is a lot more gravity acting on your body, so you can’t move as fast. When I say freeze, hold your position!
Teacher in Role: Ok everyone, back on the shuttle! It’s time to head to Saturn. Have the Saturn group present on their planet. (Make sure you bring up the Stellarium picture of Saturn) Make sure you remember to talk about the distinctive rings.
Improvisation with items: Take the children to the gym where you have enough space to play with hula hoops.
Teacher in Role: When you get the kids back in class, ask them how that activity was like Saturn. Then take off to Uranus. Ask the Uranus group to present. Tell them you are flying off to Neptune next. Have the Neptune group explain what they learned.
Improvisation: Have the children walk around and then freeze! It’s really cold on Neptune, so they froze solid!
Teacher in Role: “I’ll save you!” Pretend you’re flying around and as you tap each child on the shoulder, they can then go back to the space shuttle where you are preparing to go back home to Earth.
As you get back to Earth, have the children get out of the space shuttle and act like it’s a normal day. Tell them to freeze, and then select a few children to thought track. Have them talk about what they learned, or what their favorite planet was and why.
Assessment: Have the children fill out a chart with the different planets and what they learned. Throughout the week, have the children work on a model of the solar system. You can also show the students using Stellarium where they can find the different planets in the night sky.