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Recommended grade level: 2-8+.
This manual contains 37 stand-alone astronomy activities, selected from more than 100 activities used nationwide by the Project SPICA teacher network in workshops. These activities are designed to be used by teachers with little or no background in astronomy. The activities cover a wide range of topics, including the earth, moon, and sun; the solar system; stars; our galaxy and other galaxies; and the universe as a whole.

Among the activities, for example, students make and use a moon phase dial and a sundial, and they trace the position of a reflected image (the analemma) of the sun at noon throughout the school year. They also explore "crustal material" from a mystery planet, and they use spectra to identify which of 7 known elements are present in 5 imaginary stars. Students also decode imaginary binary data sent to earth from a spacecraft, and they construct a 3-dimensional model of the Big Dipper inside a box, then observe the constellation from different positions.

The activities in this teacher resource can be adapted for classes from second grade through high school. Most of the activities take 1 class period of 40 to 50 minutes to complete. Some need to be done outside. Each activity lists a key concept and a key question to indicate its focus. Grade-level information, an indication of the time required, background information, procedures, notes on student preconceptions, cross-references to other activities, extensions, and student worksheet masters are provided.

An appendix offers other useful information. For teachers who do not have access to reference materials on astronomy, there are comprehensive background essays on topics relevant to the activities. Also included are tables of information about the planets and the brightest stars, as well as a list of science education equipment suppliers, astronomy organizations, and publications related to astronomy.

Price: $20.95 (ISBN 0-7872-0134-0).
Publisher/supplier: Kendall/Hunt.
Materials: Available locally, or from commercial suppliers.

Use these listings to find related entries.

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Astronomy,

Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Activities for the School Planetarium, ~ Earthy Things, ~ Exploring Space: Using Seymour Simon's Astronomy Books in the Classroom, Science Experiments: Earth Science, ~ The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Earth and Physical Science: Content and Learning Strategies, ~ Everyday Science: Real-Life Activities.
Constellations,

Earth Sciences: Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook.
Earth,

Physical Sciences: Project SEED: Sourcebook of Demonstrations, Activities, and Experiments,

Earth Sciences: Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ Blue Planet,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Galaxies,

Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Earth and Beyond, The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook.
Models,

Physical Sciences: Glencoe Physical Science, ~ Matter: Building Block of the Universe, ~ Chemical Interactions, ~ Experimenting with Model Rockets, ~ Inventor's Lab, ~ Newton's Toy Box, ~ Experiments with Balloons, ~ Experiments with Motion, ~ LEGO Technic I Activity Center, ~ Machines, ~ Science Experiments: Chemistry and Physics, ~ Simple and Motorized Machines Activity Pack, ~ Soap Films and Bubbles, ~ Structures,

Life Sciences: Glencoe Life Science, ~ Heredity: The Code of Life, ~ DNA--From Genes to Proteins, ~ Food, Energy, and Growth, ~ From Genes to Jeans: An Activity-Based Unit on Genetic Engineering and Agriculture, ~ The Human Body: How Can I Maintain and Care for Myself?, ~ An Introduction to Biotechnology: Book 2, ~ Life Changes through Time, ~ You and Your Body, ~ Zebra Mussel Mania, ~ The Molecular Model of DNA and Its Replication Kit, ~ Order and Diversity in the Living World: Teaching Taxonomy and Systematics in Schools,

Environmental Sciences: Plastics in Our Lives, ~ Water: Can We Keep It Fit for Life?, ~ Environmental Issues: Intermediate, ~ Environmental Resource Guide: Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention, ~ Global Awareness for Students (GAS): Studies in Climate, ~ H₂O Below: An Activity Guide for Groundwater Study, ~ STV: Water,

Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Earth Processes, ~ Earthquake!, ~ Earthquakes, ~ The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Geology, ~ River Cutters, ~ Stories in Stone, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Earthquakes: A Teacher's Package for K-6, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Earthy Things, ~ Hands-On Geology: K-12 Activities and Resources, ~ Janice VanCleave's Earthquakes: Mind-Boggling Experiments You Can Turn into Science Fair Projects, ~ On the Rocks: Earth Science Activities for Grades 1-8, A Sedimentary Geologists' Guide to Helping K-12 Earth Science Teachers: Hints, Ideas, Activities and Resources,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Models and Designs, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Energy Transformations: Fourth Module in Bio-Related Technologies Unit, ~ Hot Water and Warm Homes from Sunlight, ~ How Telecommunication Works: How People Use Energy to Communicate, ~ If Shipwrecks Could Talk, ~ JASON IV Curriculum: Baja California Sur, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars, ~ Packaging, ~ A Sunken Ship, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ The Teaching Tank Discovery Book, ~ Technology Science Mathematics Connection Activities, ~ Transformations: Science, Technology and Society.
Moon,

Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ Earth, Moon, and Sun,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Prime Science: Level A.
Planets,

Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ The Evolution of a Planetary System, ~ The Moons of Jupiter, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Global Climates--Past, Present, and Future: Activities for Integrated Science Education, The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Solar system,

Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Asteroid!, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Sun, ~ The Evolution of a Planetary System, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ Earth Science Investigations, ~ Global Climates--Past, Present, and Future: Activities for Integrated Science Education, ~ The Great Solar System Rescue, Thematic Applications: Sciences I, ~ The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook, ~ Water, Stones, and Fossil Bones,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Prime Science: Level C, ~ Science Interactions: Course 3, ~ Science 2000: Science 1 (Grade 7), ~ JASON VI: Island Earth, Hawai'i Expedition Curriculum, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Stars,

Earth Sciences: Concepts and Challenges in Earth Science, ~ Exploring Earth Science, ~ Glencoe Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ The Evolution of a Planetary System, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies, ~ Activities for the School Planetarium, The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook,

Multi & Applied Sciences: SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Red.
Sun,

Earth Sciences: Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Solar Energy, ~ Earth, Moon, and Sun, ~ Project Earth Science: Astronomy, ~ The Amateur Meteorologist: Explorations and Investigations, ~ Atmospheric Dynamics, ~ Exploring Space: Using Seymour Simon's Astronomy Books in the Classroom, The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Middle Grades Science: A Problem-Solving Approach, Sixth Grade, ~ Science Interactions: Course 3, ~ Life: Here? There? Elsewhere? The Search for Life on Venus and Mars.
Sundial,

Physical Sciences: Science Investigations for Intermediate Students,

Earth Sciences: Earth, Moon, and Sun,
Universe,

Earth Sciences: Exploring Earth Science, ~ Project STAR: The Universe in Your Hands, ~ Earth and Beyond, ~ Earth, Moon, and Stars, ~ The Evolution of a Planetary System, ~ The Universe: Exploring Stars, Constellations, and Galaxies,

Multi & Applied Sciences: Science Interactions: Course 3, ~ SciencePlus Technology and Society: Level Red.

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[Ch 1: Physical Science] [Ch 2: Life Science] [Ch 3: Environmental Science] [Ch 4: Earth and Space Science] [Ch 5: Multi and Applied Science] [Ch 6: Sources of Info on Software] [Ch 7: Books on Teaching Science] [Ch 8: Science Book Lists] [Ch 9: Periodicals] [Ch 10: Museums] [Ch 11: Professional Associations]	[Title Index] [Index of Authors, etc.] [Subject Index] [Topics Index] [Content Standards Index] [Grade Level Index] [Scientific Areas Index] [Ancillary Resources Index] [OPENING PAGE]
	Copyright 1998 National Academy of Sciences National Academy Press

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