Early Years (R- Year 2) • Solar system PowerPoint show • “Hands-on” modeling of the earth, moon and sun to show reasons for day and night, seasons, and tides • Earth and planets quiz Primary Years (Year 3-6) • Solar system PowerPoint show and planetarium programme • “Hands-on” modeling of the earth, moon and sun to show reasons for day and night, seasons, and tides • Worksheets for sundial and shadow-sticks, finding north in the day-time, and south at night • Solar system model: relative sizes, orbits and distances of planets and sun • Night-time observing (if applicable): major constellations, moon and planets, use of basic star charts. Naked eye, binocular and telescope viewing. • Day-time observing (if applicable) of Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter (Note: Solar viewing will be via completely safe “projection” methods, and/or via narrow-band solar filters). • Solar system quiz (with prizes!) • Introduction to various types of telescopes (with “hands-on” examples) • Instruction and use of “Earth Sky Simulator”* including activity sheets. • “MirrorDome” 3600 digital mobile theatre and portable planetarium. Movie presentations include “Earth’s wild ride”, suitable for Year 2 and above, and “Oasis in Space”, suitable for Years 7 and above. Others will become available in the near future. Planetarium presentations will be tailored to each age level, and can include “tonight’s sky”, traditional constellations, planets and other solar system objects, virtual travel around the solar system and beyond, introduction to Aboriginal astronomy, and deep space objects (including star clusters, nebulas and galaxies). The dome can accommodate 20-25 adults or up to 30 children at a time. Middle Years (Year 7-10) • As above, but at age-appropriate levels • PowerPoint and planetarium programme presentation including solar system and deep-space objects, and introduction to star colours and types • Video presentation of Hubble Telescope achievements and/or Voyager space craft • Worksheets** for calculations of solar system distances, sizes of objects, etc. • “Solar System” modeling (Note: I can advise and/or construct an appropriate sized model, with information on size, composition, length of orbit etc. for on each planet/ solar system body.) • Solar and lunar daytime viewing through telescopes as appropriate. • “MirrorDome” as above Adult / Teacher PD • PowerPoint and planetarium programme presentations • Evening viewing sessions. • Introduction to various types of telescopes and binocular viewing. • “MirrorDome” as above Notes: 1. * The “Earth Space Simulator” (ESS) is an acrylic globe designed to allow students to visualize and experiment with latitude, longitude, the axis tilt of the earth, the ecliptic, motion of the sun and moon, seasons, etc. Models can be purchased for approx. $100 each (I can source these if desired). 2. ** I can supply a range of age appropriate worksheets for most activities, including star charts at different levels of complexity. 3. I am investigating the possibility of construction of small “Gallilean” type telescopes as an activity for Middle and Upper Primary. Kits are available for these and more expensive “reflector” types, and I will source these if there is interest. Suggestions for Camp and Co-curricular Activities
Note: For the same information in a downloadable Word file click below:
                    Summary of camp and co-curricular ideas.doc