Materials:

Methods of Implementation

Day 1: Assign students a constellation to investigate. Take students to computer lab; check out books from the library. Students need to identify the name of the constellation, the major stars in the constellation, the position of the stars, and the history of the name. (For enrichment students can also investigate the magnitude and distance of the stars)

Day 2: Begin construction of the planetarium. Cut four strips of black plastic ten feet long. (It comes in ten-foot widths). Unfold two of the strips and lay them side-by-side so that they overlap about one inch. Use the packing tape to seal this seam on both sides of the plastic. This piece will become the floor of the planetarium. Fold this up and store it. Repeat to form the ceiling of the planetarium. (This could be done prior to class to save some time)

Day 3: On the ceiling panel have students place their constellations in relation to the North Star. Give each student a strip of masking tape and have them tear squares to represent the stars then connect the outline of the constellation with strips of masking tape. (Remember to translate the information so that when this goes from the floor to the ceiling it will have the correct orientation) Once all constellations are correctly placed have the students use a nail to punch holes through the masking tape and plastic to represent the stars. (Enriched students need to punch small and large holes to represent the magnitude of each star)

Day 4: Lay the ceiling of the constellation over the floor. Line up the edges as close as possible. Use scissors to trim the edges evenly and to round off the corners. Use packing tape to seal the edges of the planetarium together. Make sure to get a good seal. (Orient the ceiling on the top) Make an air tunnel to inflate the planetarium by rolling some plastic around a box fan (tape it to the fan securely). Cut a small (2 ft.) opening along one edge , insert the sleeve and securely tape into place.

While students are helping with this others are completing their constellation research.

Day 5: Plug in the fan and turn it on. The planetarium will inflate like a balloon. Cut a slit for the door and have students enter. Once inside the planetarium, the classroom lights will shine through the holes. The tape helps train your eye to recognize the various constellations. Using a laser pointer to indicate the star patterns, students discuss their constellations history and mythology. Once students are familiar with the identification, remove the tape.

This is a great way to take a field trip without leaving the classroom.

Evaluation: Students are graded based on their participation and knowledge of their constellation as well as the overall knowledge of the constellations identified.

This lesson is a highly effective teaching tool. It is tremendously successful because students take ownership of their constellations and when they enter the planetarium for the first time there is such a great WOW factor, they can’t help but be hooked on the stars!

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Robin Ford

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