For thousands of years, skywatchers have been keeping an eye on the sky and slowly but surely, they finally figured out our true place in space. They also figured out how to use the sky as a clock and a calendar, to keep track of time, and how to use the sky as a compass, for navigational purposes.
During this 55-minute program, your students will learn about Earth's true place in space by taking a look at where it fits into the Solar System and where the Solar System fits into our galaxy. Then they will learn where our galaxy fits into the universe. Afterward your students will learn about telescopes (and binoculars) and how this technology has been used to figure out our true place in space.
The next part of the program is all about constellations and your students will see many constellations on the dome above their heads. They will learn why constellations seem to move across the sky over the course of the night and why we see different constellations in the sky at different times of the year. Your students will learn how to spot the North Star in the sky and learn how this star can be used to help find the direction north, as well as the other three cardinal directions. Your students will even learn how to use stars and constellations to keep track of time at night.
The final part of the program is all about calendars and how we use the Moon and the Sun to keep track of time. Your students will learn about the period of time that we call a month and how it is directly related to the Moon. They will also learn about the Julian Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar and how these calendars are based on the amount of time it takes Earth to revolve around the Sun.
During this 55-minute program, your students will learn about Earth's true place in space by taking a look at where it fits into the Solar System and where the Solar System fits into our galaxy. Then they will learn where our galaxy fits into the universe. Afterward your students will learn about telescopes (and binoculars) and how this technology has been used to figure out our true place in space.
The next part of the program is all about constellations and your students will see many constellations on the dome above their heads. They will learn why constellations seem to move across the sky over the course of the night and why we see different constellations in the sky at different times of the year. Your students will learn how to spot the North Star in the sky and learn how this star can be used to help find the direction north, as well as the other three cardinal directions. Your students will even learn how to use stars and constellations to keep track of time at night.
The final part of the program is all about calendars and how we use the Moon and the Sun to keep track of time. Your students will learn about the period of time that we call a month and how it is directly related to the Moon. They will also learn about the Julian Calendar and the Gregorian Calendar and how these calendars are based on the amount of time it takes Earth to revolve around the Sun.
Learning Objectives
During this 55-minute program, your instructor will teach your students all (or most) of the following...
- The universe includes all of space and everything in it.
- Objects in space include; the Moon, the Sun (a star), stars and their planets, planets and their moons
- Most objects in space are more easily observed at night.
- Technologies for viewing objects in space include binoculars and telescopes.
- Planetariums are a technology used for simulating the view of objects in space.
- Safe viewing of the Sun requires appropriate safety equipment and precautions to avoid eye damage.
- Observing objects in space helps us connect Earth to its place in the universe.
- Constellations are groups of stars that appear to form a shape.
- Constellations have names that come from a variety of sources.
- Stars in the same constellation are trillions of kilometres apart.
- Earth’s daily rotation causes the constellations to appear in different locations at different times.
- Earth’s yearly revolution causes the constellations to appear in different locations at different times.
- Polaris, also known as the North Star, shows the approximate direction of the North Pole.
- The constellation of Orion can be used to find the approximate direction of the South Pole.
- Stars and constellations are recognizable from Earth and can be used for navigation and tracking the passage of time.
- The Moon has been used throughout history to measure time.
- Lunar calendars follow patterns of the Moon for timekeeping.
- The Gregorian Calendar is based on the amount of time it takes Earth to revolve around the Sun.
- Most people follow the Gregorian Calendar in daily life.
- Some cultures may use a lunar calendar in addition to the Gregorian Calendar.
- Many cultures connect observations of objects in space to time, place, and daily life in various ways.
Curriculum Connections
Organizing Idea:
Space: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
Space: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened by investigating natural systems and their interactions.
Guiding Question:
How do objects in space impact daily life?
How do objects in space impact daily life?
This NEW AstroDome Planetarium program has been developed with the NEW Alberta science curriculum in mind. The learning objectives in this program come directly from the Knowledge, Understanding, Skills & Procedures (KUSP) portion of the "Space" component (Organizing Idea) located within the Grade 4 section of the NEW Alberta Education K-6 Science Curriculum.
Please note that many, but not all, of the KUSPs will be covered or touched upon during the 55-minute program.
Please note that many, but not all, of the KUSPs will be covered or touched upon during the 55-minute program.
Alberta Education - K-6 Science Curriculum - Grade 4 - "Space"