History And Stars

Travelling MuseumGrade 8Grade 6
Written By Courtenay Davidson Design
 
 

Explore how we saw, see, experience, and use the sky above us. This 1-hour talk covers light, sextants, and telescopes. Students will handle sextants and learn the basics of their use to collect light from heavenly bodies and compare it with earthly vistas. The session includes a comparison of how voyageurs and astronauts use technology to understand their world using the sky.

Cost: $75 per class
Duration: 1 hour

 

Curriculum Outcomes

  • Science 6.7

    Observe, describe, and interpret the movement of objects in the sky; identify patterns and order in these movements.

    • Students will learn the importance of stars and the sun for scientific and cultural advancement.

    Science 6.7.1-6.7.12

    Properties of Light in Space Learn how to use sextants and telescopes and how light travels through space.

    Science 6.7.3

    Movement of Bodies in Space.

    • Understand how sextants and the reliability of night sky objects and their movement were crucial in using these tools. Learn how the Earth's rotation is essential to accurately mapping the Earth using a sextant.

    Science 6.7.4 - 6.7.7

    Observation of Space.

    • Learn how to safely observe light from space using the sun with a sextant or telescopes, including necessary safety precautions.

    Science 6.7.11

    International Space Station.

    • Explore the tools used by the International Space Station and how astronauts survive in the hostile environment of space.

    Social 6.S.2

    Develop Skills in Historical Thinking.

    • Use museum resources and staff to deepen understanding of the changing star stories over time and across cultures.

    Social 6.S.3

    Develop Skills in Geographic Thinking.

    • Learn how sextants can establish your position on Earth using the geography of both the sky and the land.

    Social 6.S.8

    Demonstrate Skills of Oral, Written, and Visual Literacy.

    • Engage in discussions, communication, and listening activities related to star stories and celestial observations.

    Science, Space

    Students analyze and represent celestial bodies of the solar system.

    • Compare past and present space exploration technologies and learn about the difficulties and barriers to living and working in space.

  • Science Unit C.1

    Investigate the nature of light and vision.

    • Learn the importance of celestial bodies to mankind’s development through observation with the naked eye, sextants, and telescopes.

    Science Unit C.2

    Transmission of light.

    • Learn how to use a sextant, using angles and reflection to achieve accurate results.

    Science Unit C.3

    Image Formation and Vision.

    • Work with a sextant and learn about telescopes.

Also Available for Travelling Museum Bring the museum experience directly to your school with our Travelling Museum programs. Enjoy the same interactive and educational activities tailored to your classroom setting.

 

Make the most of your visit with our awesome add-ons!

Stellarium Show

GRADES 6 & 8 Teacher Favourite

In-depth talk of the uses of constellations and how to find and use them for survival.

Cost: $35/class Duration: 30 min

Curriculum Outcomes

  • Social 6.2.4

    Analyze Democracy in Athens Ancient.

    • Learn how the Greeks imposed rules on everything from life (democracy) to the stars (math and physics). The precision of the zodiac and the movement of the stars will be explained in the Stellarium show.

    Science 6.7.2

    Stars and Constellations.

    • Explore Greek, Indigenous, and modern constellations, how they change seasonally, and how they have changed over time. Includes constellation stories from both the Ancient Greeks and the Iroquois.

    Science 6.7.3

    Movement of Bodies in Space.

    • Understand how the Earth's rotation is essential to accurate mapping of constellations.

    Social 6.S.3

    Develop skills in geographic thinking.

    • Learn how the position of the Earth changes the positions of constellations in the night sky.

    Science, Space

    Students analyze and represent the celestial bodies of the solar system.

    • Learn about local astronomical phenomena and different cultural interpretations of constellations.

Voyageur Games

GRADE 6 Teacher Favourite

Learn how to play like a voyageur. Students will enjoy 3 voyageur-style games.

Cost: $25/class Duration: 30 min

Curriculum Outcomes

  • Social 6.S.2

    Develop Skills in Historical Thinking.

    • Learn and play games that people enjoyed over two centuries ago.

Courtenay Davidson Design
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