Science Challenge Plan

Standard 4
Students will understand the scale of size, distance between objects, movement, and apparent motion (due to Earth's rotation) of objects in the universe and how cultures have understood, related to and used these objects in the night sky.
Objective 2
Describe the appearance and apparent motion of groups of stars in the night sky relative to Earth and how various cultures have understood and used them.
C. Recognize that stars in a constellation are not all the same distance from Earth.

The Plan:
The students will have access to Google Earth Sky and look at several different types of constellations to look at in the night sky. This activity will take place after instruction on the different types of constellations and what makes up a constellation. The students will have the opportunity to investigate different types of constellations and their stories behind them as well have some knowledge of what different kinds of constellations.

Content:This science activity will focus on identifying constellations and the distance of the different stars in the constellation in reference to the Earth. The students will have access to Google Earth Sky and look at several different types of constellations to look at in the night sky.

Pedagogy:Students will name, explore, and chart 2 different constellations and each of their stars distances from the earth.

Technology:Students will have the opportunity to use the Google Earth Sky. This is a good fit with the content because students will be able to navigate and explore the constellations in 3D as well as the stars give their distance from the Earth and it seems more real creating their own charts than using a chart in a book to look at to show the distances of different stars. The technology will really enhance the pedagogy point of exploring constellations and the distances of the stars.