University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
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Educational or Group programs
Updated 25 Sept. 07 All of our programs contain a look at the current evening sky. Beyond that point there are several programs for each age level. Programs are presented by astronomy students who work in the planetarium. These students are from a variety of majors. There are two basic categories that programs can be placed into: interactive, and automated multimedia. * Interactive programs [IP] are live presentations in which the planetarium instructor and the students would typically explore a certain subject using the star projector and other slide and video projectors. The following concepts are especially suited for this type of program: day/night, phases of the moon, Earth motions, planetary motions, constellation recognition, and studying the current sky. * Automated Multimedia [AM] programs offer a
stimulating array of visuals augmented by a professionally recorded sound track. In
addition, there is usually time after the program which can be tailored to suit your
needs. If one of these programs fits what you teach, they are an excellent addition to
your curriculum. Deciding what your students will experience at the
planetarium should be a combined effort between the classroom teachers and the planetarium
staff with the ultimate goal of meeting the needs of the students. If the programs listed
below do not suit your curriculum, we can discuss ways to tailor a program to fit your
needs. There are undeniable advantages to both polished programs and tailored programs. A
polished ("standard") program is one that is developed and refined over time,
and takes full advantage of the planetarian's creativity and the planetarium's
capabilities. While an interactive polished program can be adapted to fit the needs of an
individual class, there are a limited number of options, and there is a limit as to how
much a program can be altered. A tailored program may possibly be created to match the
unit you teach, but it may lack some of the smoothness and cohesion of a polished
program. Program Descriptions PRE-SCHOOL AND ELEMENTARY GRADES Magic Sky - (Pre-school and K) - [AM] Basic introduction to the movement of objects in the sky from day to night. [E.4.4, E.4.6] Sky and Planets - (grades K - 3) - [IP] Basic introduction to the night sky, constellations, and the solar system. [B.4.3, E.4.4] Project Moon - (grades 2 - 5) - [IP] Trip to the Moon based on the Apollo missions and a look at the space shuttle. [A.4.5, B.4.3] Interplanetary Explorer - (grades 2 - 5) - [IP] Futuristic spaceship voyage through the planets of our solar system. [E.4.4, B.4.3] Patterns in the Sky - (grades 3 - 6) - [IP] Constellations, Sun motion (daily and annual), Cause for seasons, the shuttle. [E.4.4, E.4.6, E.8.8] Stars in the Galaxy - (grades 4 - 6) - [IP] Star
characteristics, the life cycle of stars, the light year. SECONDARY GRADES System of the Sun - (grades 6 - 11) - [IP] Detailed look at the planets (their sizes and characteristics) and the other components of the solar system. [E.8.7 ] From Dust to Dust - (grades 7 - 10) - [IP] Description of the Sun, its life cycle, and size, temperature and life cycle comparisons with other stars. [E.8.7 ] Starscapes - (grades 9 - 12) - [IP] Components of the
Milky Way, its stars and nebulae, and stellar life cycles. Starship EARTH - (grades 7 - 12) - [IP] Sky motions (daily, annual, and latitude), Reason for the seasons, and Sky phenomena such as meteor showers, aurora, comets, etc. (Coordinate systems can be included upon request.) [C.8.4, E.8.7, E.8.8, A.12.6, B.12.5] MarsQuest - (grades 6 - adult) - [AM] Patrick Stewart narrates this program that takes a look at how our understanding of Mars has changed through the years. The three sections look first at the Mars of science fiction, then the Mars of science fact, and finally the possible Mars of the future. [A.8.5, B.8.1, E.8.7, A.12.6, B.12.4, D.12.11, E.12.3, H.12.5] The Voyager Encounters - (grades 7 - adult) - [AM] Patrick Stewart narrates as we look at the Voyager spacecraft, the instruments that it carried, and its discoveries at each of the giant planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. [E.8.7, G.8.2, A.12.7, B.12.4, E.12.3] Journey to the Stars - (grades 4 - adult) - [AM] This program takes a look at our understanding of the Universe. We look at stars, how they are born and how they die. We then take a look at the size of the universe by defining the concept of the light year and then using that to travel through the solar system to the very edge of the Universe. Finally we conclude by looking at our future in space, from the beginning of rocket flight to the stunning discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope. [B.8.1, E.8.7, A.12.5, B.12.1, D.12.11, E.12.5] The Power - (grades 6 - 10) - [AM] This program looks at galaxies, how big they are, where they are located, what they are made of, and the shapes of the galaxies. [A.4.4, B.4.1, A.8.4, C.8.6, E.8.7] Clouds of Fire: The Creation of Stars - (grades 9 - adult) - [AM] This program explores the very nature of a star from what makes them shine, to what makes them in the first place. We answer such questions as what are stars made of, how long do they live, and how they are born and die. [B.8.1, D.8.2, E.8.7, B.12.4, D.12.2, D.12.11, E.12.3, E.12.5] Hubble Vision - (grades 6 - adult) - [AM] This program looks at the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope during it more than 15 years in orbit. Starting in our own solar system the program moves on to look at the stars and how they are born and die. Finally it looks at the wide variety of galaxies. The program finishes by looking at some of the most distant objects yet observed. [E.8.7, B.12.3, D.12.11, D.12.12, E.12.5] The Stargazer - (grades
6 - adult) - [AM] Narrated by Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura from Star
Trek) and Dr. James Kaler (noted stellar astronomer) we take a more personal
look at astronomy. Using principles of gravity, the properties of
light, and the spectrum; this program explores the very nature of the stars
and stellar life cycles. OTHER PROGRAMS - BROADER or SPECIAL APPEAL Death of the Dinosaurs - (grades 4 - 12) - [AM] The
first half of the program studies the dinosaurs, then the program concludes by looking at
possible reasons why they died out, especially those of astronomical
origins. Adventures Along the Spectrum – (grades
5 - 10) -
[AM] The eccentric and entertaining Professor Photon explains the behavior and effects of
both visible and invisible light. We look at everything from radio and microwave
light to infrared, ultraviolet, and X-ray light and how we use these to study the
sky. Aurora! - (grades 5 - adult) - [AM]
This program takes a look at our understanding of the Aurora Borealis or
northern lights. We look at some of the early myths associated with
the northern lights and follow our understanding of their origin from ideas
of the ancient Greeks to our modern-day knowledge of their appearance as a
link between electricity and magnetism and between the Sun and the Earth.
Dawn of Astronomy
- (grades 6 - adult) - [AM]
Journey back
in time to catch a glimpse of the dawn of astronomy. By looking at the
prehistoric megaliths of Stonehenge, the mighty pyramids of Egypt, and the
towering ziggurats of Babylonia we unearth our ancestor’s fascination with
the heavens and their shrines which are linked to celestial events. Learn
how the ancients, through their astronomical observations, measured time and
determined direction. [A.8.4, E.8.8,
G.8.3, A.12.6, B.12.3, C.12.5] Light Years from Andromeda - (grades
6 - adult) - [AM] This program explores the speed of light and distances
(specifically the light year) in the Universe. By following a beam of
light from the Andromeda galaxy we see the changes that have occurred on
Earth since this light left the galaxy about 2.25 million years ago. In Search of New Worlds - (grades
7 - adult) - [AM] In the last few years hundreds of planets orbiting
other stars have been discovered. Using computer animations and
interviews with planet hunter Geoff Marcy, this program looks at how these
discoveries of planets beyond our solar system have been made. Explorers of Mauna Kea - (grades 7 -
adult) - [AM] Some of the worlds largest telescopes are located at the
summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. This program looks at the
telescopes as well as the atmospheric and astronomical reasons why this is
such an ideal observing site.
[B.4.2, B.8.1, B.8.2, E.8.2, E.8.7, G.8.2, ] More Than Meets the Eye - (grades 5 - adult) - [AM] In this program we take a look at the differences between breathtaking astronomical pictures in magazines, and what we would see if viewing some of the same objects through binoculars or small telescopes. See how planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies look through backyard telescopes. [E.8.7, ] WINTER HOLIDAY PROGRAMS Season of Light - (grades 4 - adult) (available November
and December) - [AM] This delightful multicultural program will lead you through the
discovery of many basic astronomy concepts as you explore the holiday traditions of
several cultures and religions. Also hear about the origins of many of
our modern holiday customs. We conclude with a look at some of the
ideas of what the Christmas star was. Winter Wonders - (grades 3 -
10) (available
November and December) - [AM] Our holiday program, especially for the young,
takes a multicultural look at the many solstice holiday customs and why the
solstice was important, in addition to the many solstice customs the program
also looks at some different religious customs including a look at the Christmas story
and the star. [B.4.2, E.4.4, B.8.1,
B.8.6, E.8.8, ] Note: If these offerings do not serve the needs of you and your students, you are invited to work with the planetarium director to design a unique program which will fit into your curriculum. |