Science, Technology

Earth Science: Sun, Moon, and Earth

3

Students will be able to explain why the appear to move across the sky during the night, and why different stars and constellations can be seen during the course of a year.

In order to give students a real feel of the night sky, offering this field trip allows students to not only see the stars that are visible that night, but also the night sky during other seasons of the year.

This is one lesson in a science unit that covers the effect of the Sun and Moon on the Earth. Under the best of circumstances, this would be one of the first lessons because it would provide so many points of reference for the remainder of the unit. However, realizing that, logistically, this lesson may not be possible, a substitute should be found.

This lesson focuses on a field trip to the Discovery Museum Science & Space Center located at 3615 Auburn Boulevard, in Sacramento, CA 95821
Telephone: (916) 575-3941
Fax: (916) 575-3925
They have an amazing 1 hour planetarium show that illustrates the movement of the Earth during the course of the year, and the subsequent "movement" of the stars in the night sky. There is room for 70 occupants in the planetarium, and they recommend about a 1:8 ratio for 3rd graders. The cost for just the planetarium show is $3.00, adults are admitted free of charge.

Students will work collaboratively & individually. Students will work in groups of 6.

1 class period. 2+ Hrs per class.

If resources allow, additional time may want to be made to allow students to roam through the museum (takes about an hour, costs an additional $3.00). Also, there is a nice picnic area outside the museum and planetarium where students would enjoy eating lunch. There is also a nature walk in the same area. This is not a covered area, so have back-up plans if your trip is scheduled during the rainy season.