Milky Way Scale and Big Dipper Map
Space is enormous and surprisingly empty. In the Milky Way Scale activity students consider the galaxy scaled to chia seed-sized “stars”. They use estimation and team work to visualize the number of stars in the Milky Way and are guided in calculating how far away the nearest chia seed-sized star would be from our chia seed-sized Sun. Applying this understanding, students also learn how our perspective from Earth dictates the way the stars are oriented in our night sky, despite their vast distances from one another, by creating a Big Dipper Orientation Map. Students use cognitive skills such as collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving along with mathematical and scientific concepts as they create their map.
Stellar Lifecycles
What are stars made of? How do stars of different masses progress through their existence? Why do some stars explode and others don’t? Why don’t stars collapse due to their own gravity? How does the death of a star relate to black holes? In this program students learn the answers to these questions through visualizations, kinesthetic activities, and exciting demonstrations. Access to a large space for moving around and electricity is necessary.
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