Starlab Portable Planetarium Use Training

1. Starlab Portable Planetarium Use Training

2. Agenda • Starlab Overview • Curriculum Connections • Reservations • Hands On!

3. Starlab Facts • Inflatable dome capable of holding about 25 3rd grade students • Inside the dome, a projector and cylinder are capable of showing the night sky with no light pollution • Cross-curricular tool to make learning astronomy concepts hands-on

4. Starlab Components • Inflatable dome 10.5 feet high, 16 feet wide • Projector with rotating cylinder platform and halogen cycle lamp • Four Projection cylinders: -Starfield -Mythology: Native American & Greek -Moon • Fan • Yellow parts case • http://wakek5science.pbworks.com or www.starlab.com

5. Curriculum Connections 3rd grade science: The learner will make observations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of the earth/moon/sun system. 3.2 Observe that objects in the sky have patterns of movement including: sun, moon, stars. 3.4 Use appropriate tools to make observations of the moon. 3.6 Observe that patterns of stars in the sky stay the same, although they appear to move across the sky nightly.

6. Curriculum Connections 3rd grade social studies: • Describe similarities and differences among communities in different times and places • Describe how individuals, events, and ideas change over time • Compare how people in different communities adapt or modify the physical environment to meet their needs. • Assess the heroic deeds of characters from folktales and legends.

7. Curriculum Connections 3rd grade Language Arts • Reads a variety of texts including fiction and non-fiction • Determines the author’s purpose for writing a story • Recognizes differences among genres • Participates in creative interpretations

8. Middle School 6th grade science: Competency Goal 5: The learner will build understanding of the Solar System. • 5.01 Analyze the components and cycles of the solar system including: sun, planets and moons, asteroids and meteors, comets, phases, seasons, day/year, eclipses. • 5.02 Compare and contrast the Earth to other planets in terms of: size, composition, relative distance from the sun, ability to support life. • 5.03 Relate the influence of the sun and the moon's orbit to the gravitational effects produced on Earth. (solar storms, tides) • 5.04 Describe space explorations and the understandings gained from them including: N.A.S.A., technologies used to explore space, historic timeline, Apollo mission to the moon, Space Shuttle, International Space Station, future goals. • 5.05 Describe the setting of the solar system in the universe including: galaxy, size, uniqueness of Earth. • 5.06 Analyze the spin-off benefits generated by space exploration technology including: medical, materials, transportation, processes, future research.

9. Reserving the Starlab • Starlab can usually be reserved for a week on Google Calendar • www.google.com • Select More, then Calendar • Username: wcstarlab • Password: wcscience (This information is available on the Elementary Science Wiki at http://wakek5science.pbworks.com!)

10. Reserving the Starlab • Select dates • Enter School Name & City • Enter a Contact Name & Email or Phone Number • Starlab A – Elementary, weekly rotation • Starlab B – Middle School, weekly rotation

11. Reserving & Using the Starlab • Pickup is from previous school; next school will pickup from you • Please take care of all components and let Walter know right away if there is something you need or if something is missing • Contact wharris@wcpss.net

12. Let’s Experience Starlab! • Nuts and Bolts of setting up and using the Starlab- hands on!