Teaching children astronomy?

Mik3

Mik3

Mik3

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I've been thinking of hosting an astronomy night for my nephew's school friends and parents, several parents have already showed some interest. I would like to make it both fun and educational, but I'm not sure how to do it. I was thinking about starting with the moon, asteroids, comets, then moving on to the Solar system, and how Stars work. Do you think this is too much for 9-11 year old children?

Whats the best way to present this information to children? I'm thinking about using lots of images and a prearranged script to describe them. I have 2 6" scopes I can use to spark some interest.

If any teachers could offer some advice I would be most grateful.
 
9-11 year olds should already have a grasp on certain things. I've been teaching a 4 year old about the moon, the solar system, the sun and other stars. He's following it quite well.
 
Gilly said:
9-11 year olds should already have a grasp on certain things. I've been teaching a 4 year old about the moon, the solar system, the sun and other stars. He's following it quite well.
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I'm not very good with kids tbh, I wouldn't have thought a 4 year old could understand astronomy. He must be very cleaver. :)

Do you read to him from books?
 
Mik3 said:
I'm not very good with kids tbh, I wouldn't have thought a 4 year old could understand astronomy. He must be very cleaver. :)

Do you read to him from books?
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I generally let him lead the conversation. He's aware of what is there, just not the scale or why things move in the way they do. He knows the sun is the centre of our solar system and that the earth revolves around it, and the moon around that...
 
Mik3 said:
I want to teach them how they work, the physics behind Planets and Stars.
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if there's a PC, have google moon & mars on it, or the new microsoft space software, worldwide telescope to show them the planets and constilations
 
Mik3 said:
I'll try to cover the internal workings in Stars mostly, do you think thats too much for kids?
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I honestly don't have a clue about the internal workings on stars so I can't really comment. My previous statement was based on that I can imagine it being relatively complex, perhaps not suitable for those who think their 7 times table is the devil.

Besides, there are things I love to talk about which I am fortunate enough to know in some detail, but its hard to know when you are frying peoples brains or not. Thats adults, not children.

Only you can really be the judge here content wise.

As for presentation you will need lots and LOTS of interaction.
 
random question, but in schools do they teach kids that theres nine planets now or 8 cos pluto isnt regarded as a planet anymore?
 
Why do you want to teach them the physics and internal workings?

Cover the basics first and move on from there. If you come in too low you can explain you're just filling in gaps in knowledge. If you come in too high you'll find some disinterested folk about.

[edit]Nice one :) You can always move onto it.
 
Gilly said:
[edit]Nice one :) You can always move onto it.
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Aye. If theres some interest after the first one I will make it a monthly event.

It will be mostly family and friends attending the first one, starting with a BBQ and beer :)
 
uknowist said:
random question, but in schools do they teach kids that theres nine planets now or 8 cos pluto isnt regarded as a planet anymore?
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Don't know about schools, but when I'm setting quizzes that one nearly always catches at least one team out. The same as the good old, "How many of each animal did Moses take aboard the Ark?" You'd be surprised at how many people don't listen and just automatically write down "2". :D
 
Start with a lesson plan. Half an hour is more than enough for them. Split into 2 with a break if necessary. Biscuits and fizzy drink's a smart move.

Write down a title - Introduction to Astronomy, etc. Have whatever resources you're relying on easy to hand.

Segment the half hour into 5 minute intervals. Interval 1: Intro (who you are/what their names are). Have a sheet of paper handy to list their names and distinguishing features, where they sit etc so you know who they are rather than resorting to referring to them as 'you'.

Next up, typical teaching strategy for the age range you've specified:

Interval 2 (approximately 5 mins in). Introduce spheres, circles and ellipses and the effect of light on them. Give 'em pencils and paper (that they'll obviously expect to take home and ask them to sketch squares, cubes, circles and ellipses. While you're at it ask them if anyone can tell you anthing interesting about light. Audience participation's the key and kids love it. You'll be looking to see if any of them know that light has a speed and is composed of various colours.

Interval 3: Ask them their star signs and what they mean etc. Make each of them draw their star signs from a planisphere they can fiddle with.

That's it - break time. Biscuits and fizzies and a real telescope to check out.

After break split them into 2 groups. Separate them by alphasort of their first names. Suggest a small competition - each group asks the other to draw an astrological constellation from memory. Then remain neutral and have the groups pontificate over which group did best by comparing their daubs to the planisphere.

Next up, logical analysis. Reform the groups into one. Ask if anyone can tell you how to find the Pole Star so they can at least figure out which way to walk if lost (which is the incentive). If the stars are out it's an outside job to demo locating the Pole.

Then sit one of 'em on a swivel chair and ask him to rotate first with his arms out and then with them in. Ask who noticed he sped up. Then ask them why and if necessary explain to them that the same laws of physics dictate the relationships between planets revolving around eachother and mobile phone satellites in orbit etc.

That's about it. They'll have had enough. More than enough I'd have thought.

Pack 'em off home sure in the knowledge that the competition you've suggested that they get their heads together to design the school observatory using bits of wood, polythene sheet, alloy tube, and a cheap old computer to provide the servo drive for a couple of second-hand reflector telescopes will probably produce at least one scientist in about 10 years time..

Sorted...
 
Anewbe4u said:
Maybe get them to make the planets and so on, football, tennis ball, you get the idea
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You can't do that anywhere near close to the correct scale. I vaguely recall that if you use a football to represent Sol, Pluto would have to be two miles away.

I think a key point is that you have to make it fascinating and cool, which means you have to find it fascinating and cool yourself. Not only intellectually interesting in an adult way, but fascinating and cool to a child. It can be - there's lots of spectacular stuff in atronomy and the sheer scale of it has that "wow!" factor in spades. Sol...yeah, it's an unremarkable star in an out of the way part of the galaxy in an unremarkable phase of its existence...but it's a ball of fire so big and hot that it can burn you from 93 million miles away! It supports all life on Earth! It is fascinating, spectacular and wonderful.

If it goes well, you will probably get a lot of questions. You'll have to be prepared to deviate from any prearranged script. This isn't a required lesson - it has to be fun. The main reason you're there is for questions, really - otherwise, they could watch a video.

I think the age mix of the people will be a problem - you have 9-11 year old children and some parents. It's hard to create a lesson that appeals to both children and adults. I taught adults - it's much easier.

Phil Plait might serve as an example of the kind of enthusiasm that's infectious. Astronomy is a strong example of that which makes humans more than just fragile apes with relatively big brains and relatively sparse body hair.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuYMOWyawe8&feature=user
 
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