Students at Howland Glen Elementary School were given hands-on instruction last month when COSI on Wheels brought its Astounding Astronomy program to the school.
The events began with an instructional assembly hosted by outreach educator, Erica Prange from COSI on Wheels. Prange explained the program to the students and what they would be learning as they traveled around the school gymnasium stopping at each activity.
Some concepts they explored included the sizes and distances between the planets, the extreme cold to the outer planets and deep space and the electromagnetic spectrum. Tables were monitored by parent and school volunteers who explained the activities to the students as they traveled from one activity to another.
Howland Community News photos / Kathleen Evanoff
Tyler Ross, 7, points to a cloud while looking through different colored lenses during COSI On Wheels presentation at Howland Glen School last month. Tyler was joined by classmates Santino Trina, 6, and Arison Wayt, 7, to learn how different colored lenses depict different results when looking at the same object.
The astronomy program provided by COSI enables students to take an imaginary journey to the sun and the other planets in the solar system. During the activities, they had the opportunity to explore a variety of planetary environments and discover if Earth really is the only planet that can support life.
Some of the activities included showing how different results can be obtained when observing objects through different colored lenses as well as how heat cameras can be used to determine weather patterns. Students had the opportunity to guide an imaginary Mars Rover without the benefit of sight by using only verbal instructions to maneuver the equipment.
Students also learned that objects weigh different amounts on different planets as well as the moon and stars, and gained a better understanding of the stars they see at night and how astronomers use constellations to study space.
COSI, or Center of Science and Industry, opened in 1964 at Memorial Hall in Columbus. In 1999, the program moved to a 320,000-square-foot facility at 333 W. Broad St. in Columbus. The center hosts activities and tours throughout the year at the facility. COSI on Wheels is available to schools throughout Ohio with various programs that include activities for toddlers, preschool, elementary and middle school students.