Download Changes in Constellations/Stars

Constellations Science Investigation
Science Standards Related to Constellations Science Unit
Grade 8: Conducting
ESS 3.1.1
ESS 3.1.1a
ESS 3.1.1b
Use data to summarize results
Identify the stars
Distinguish stars from other objects in the sky (e.g. moon, planets)
Identify one or more constellations
Grade 11: Conducting: Use accepted methods for organizing, representing and/or manipulating data
ESS 3.1.1
ESS 3.1.1a
ESS 3.1.1b
Identify the stars
Distinguish stars from other objects in the sky (e.g. moon, planets)
Identify one or more constellations
Grade 11: Analyzing:
ESS 3.1.1
ESS 3.1.1b
Use evidence to support and/or justify interpretations and/or conclusions or explain how the
evidence refutes the hypothesis
Identify stars
Identify two or more constellations
Other Concepts that can be embedded in the science investigation
In addition to science concepts, students may learn about the following:
*The history behind how constellations were created
*Greek mythology associated with naming constellations
*How constellations may be used in navigation
*Counting- how many stars in each constellations
* Using higher contrast materials, and lights, students can use their vision skills to identify constellations or find a light.
Constellations
Overview of the science investigation
OBSERVE/
QUESTION
Students review key vocabulary such as : moon, planet, constellation, star, sky, connect
Students can watch a video about constellations and describe what they observe.
Students create a research question such as:
 How many different constellations can we identify?
 Can we see constellations from Rhode Island?
 How many stars are in each constellation?
 Are stars only out at night?
 Can we see stars during the day?
PLAN
Students can plan this investigation by:
Students identify the tools they will need in the investigation such as:
 Constellation Star Chart
 SkyView app
 Constellation Projector Tool
Students can plan when data will be taken
 Students can select the constellations (picture without the name) they want to investigate
CONDUCT
ANALYZE
Students can conduct the investigation by
 View the constellation
 Find the constellation on their constellation map of by using SkyView app
 Students connect the dots to create their constellation
o OPTION: a stencil can be used to assist students with making lines in connecting starts
o OPTION 2: a dash can be used to assist students in knowing where to connect stars.
 Complete the Lab Report indicating # stars, what constellation looks like
 SUMMARY: Student determines the name of the constellation
Students review their data to answer their research question
Example: conducting this experiment:
Students can select the constellation(s) they want to investigate. Teacher guides how many each student should
investigate
EXAMPLE:
1.
Student picks the constellation.
2. Student uses their Star Map to find their constellation. (options below)
or
A Subset of a Star Map
the entire star map
3. Student highlights the stars in their Star Map that match their constellation.
4. Student connects the dots in the constellation to mirror that on their Star chart
5. Student finds their star on the Constellation Picture sheet
6. Student fills in their lab report to include # stars, what constellation looks like and name of constellation.
Constellation Science Investigation
Resources
Videos
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=videos+of+constellations+for+kids&ei=UTF8&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001
Greek Mythology: Constellation Myths
http://vimeo.com/24585339
www.squidoo.com
Options available in SkyView



You can use night mode which allows for greater contrast from sky to constellations
The size of planets can be changed to allow a larger view of a planet as compared to other stars.
There is an Augmented Reality Camera mode which blocks out picture and enhances the night sky.
PowerPoint about simple concepts involving the moon and stars
http://literacy.nationaldb.org/index.php/vocabulary/
(PowerPoint has lots of photographs and is very focused in simple terms)
Scroll down the webpage to:
Vocabulary Definitions/Symbols
Definition
Symbol
moon
An object that moves around a planet
Planet
A round shaped object that moves around a star
A group of stars with a name assigned to it; the stars
Constellation of a constellation are located close to each other and
form a pattern.
Star
connect
Sky
Same
See/Look
A huge ball of gas that gives off light, which makes
the star glow. Our Sun, the center of our solar
system, is a yellow star.
To join together
is everything that lies above the surface of the Earth,
including the atmosphere, the sky refers to only the
lower, more dense portions of the atmosphere
Different
STAR MAP
1
STAR MAP
2
STAR MAP
3
STAR MAP
4
STAR MAP
5
Name ________________________
Date __________________________
Science: Observe/Question
Developing a research question
Write your observations:
Write 2 research questions below.
1. ________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________
Name ________________________
Date __________________________
Science: Observe/Question
Developing a Research Question
Name ________________________
Suggestions of possible Research Questions
Date __________________________
Name ________________________
Date __________________________
Name ________________________
Date __________________________
Constellation Science Investigation
PLANNING:
Identifying the Evidence and Tools Needed to Answer the Research Question
Evidence Needed
What data will you need to collect to answer the Research
Question?
What tools are needed to answer the Research Question?
PLANNING
Identifying the Tools Needed to Answer the Research Question
Science Tools Needed
Constellation Chart
Possible Tools Needed
Newspaper
iPhone or iPad
Constellation Picture Chart
Constellation
Lab Report
CONDUCTING: Following Procedures
Procedures
1
2
3
Get Constellation Chart and Star
Map
Find the constellation on your
Constellation Worksheet.
Highlight the main stars on your
Constellation Worksheet.
4
Connect the dots
5
Record
1- Number of stars
2- What the constellation looks
like.
3- The name of the
constellation.
Completed

How Did You Do?
Great
Okay
I had trouble
Constellations
Lab Report
CONDUCTING: Following Procedures
How Did You Do?
Procedures
1
and Star Map
2
3
4
5
Completed

Name ____________________________________
Date _________________________
Constellations Science Investigation
Lab Report
DATA
Constellation
Worksheet
Number of
Stars
Grade 8 Conducting: Use Data to Summarize Results
What does the
constellation
look like?
SUMMARY:
What
Constellation
is this?
Name ____________________________________
Date _________________________
Constellation Science Investigation
Lab Report
DATA
Constellation
Worksheet
Number of
Stars
Grade 8 Conducting: Use Data to Summarize Results
What does the
constellation
look like?
SUMMARY:
What
Constellation
is this?
Name ____________________________________
Date _________________________
Constellation Science Investigation
ANALYZING RESULTS
(Use your Moon Phase Data Calendar)
Grade 11: Analyzing: Use evidence to support and or justify interpretations or to explain results using
hypothesis/research question
Name ____________________________________
Date _________________________
Constellation Moon Science Investigation
ANALYZING RESULTS
Write Your Research Question:
Answer Your Research Question:
How Do You Know? (Use your data to explain.)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Grade 11: Analyzing: Use evidence to support and or justify interpretations or to explain results using
hypothesis/research question