Unit: Earth and Space Science - Universe
Grade Levels: 7-9
Connection To Curriculum: Science, Mathematics and Technology
Teacher Prep Time: 2 hours
Lesson Time Needed: 4 hours
Keywords: stars, galaxies, constellations, star field, sampling, light pollution, telescope, planetarium, online activity
Pens or pins to poke holes
20- by 25-foot, 4-mL black plastic sheeting
Large roll duct tape
Large black trash bag
Window- or floor-level fan
This lesson guide integrates a series of activities looking at and measuring objects in the night sky.
• Discuss the effect of light pollution on the number of objects visible in the night sky.
• Differentiate between stars and galaxies.
• Discuss the cultural implications of constellations and create a constellation myth.
Points of Light Lesson
[103KB PDF file]
Professional Development Training Module for This Lesson
Lesson Activities and Sequence
The suggested sequence introduces students to counting stars by statistical sampling and progressing through to an exploration of physical and then visual groupings of stars.
Light Pollution Star Count
Students use a work sheet provided by Globe at Night to determine the level of light pollution by using observable magnitudes.
Keywords: light pollution
Counting Your Lucky Stars
Students use statistical sampling to estimate the number of stars in a portion of the sky.
Keywords: star field, sampling
Hubble Deep Field Academy
Students use a Web activity to count and classify galaxies.
Keywords: Hubble Space Telescope, online activity, sampling
Stories in the Sky
Students create a constellation in a portable planetarium and write a constellation myth to explain it.
Keywords: constellations, stars, planetarium
Science as Inquiry
• Skills necessary to become independent inquirers about the natural world.
• An appreciation of "how we know" what we know in science.
Earth and Space Science
• Earth in the solar system.
• Origin and evolution of the universe.
History and Nature of Science
• Science as a human endeavor.
• History of science.
• Nature of scientific knowledge.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, NCTM
Statistics and probability
• Use random sampling to draw inferences about a population.
ISTE NETS Performance Indicators for Students, ISTE
Research and Information Fluency
• Process data and report results.
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and make informed decisions.