Allie Flansburg, Amanda Michaelson, Katie Lind, and

Taylor Varichak

Campfire Under the Stars

AstronomyFocusing on the constellations, moon phases,

use of telescopes, and applying these concepts to every day life

Wanted something that children could apply in their lives

Theme and Why

Ages 6-8Concrete learnerThey can think logicallyThey can use metacogniti0n (they can reflect

on learning)Only need little promptScaffolding becomes a 0part of learning

Age

Changes in body size, portion, and appearance; functioning body systems and motor capacities

6-8 year olds are growing rapidly in body sizeTheir motor skills are developing, ex- children

can cut a circle from a sheet of paper with scissors

They can run, jump, and play games like hop-scotch and hide-and-seek; which involve higher level motor skills as well as physical ability

Physical Domain

Changes in intellectual abilities including: attention, memory, academic and everyday knowledge, problem solving, imagination, and language

6-8 year olds begin to have a longer attention spanThey are concrete learners- cannot think abstract,

but can solve problems which are in front of them… may need some constructive hints

They can communicate with each other- constructive learning

They can use creativity to further their learningThey are curious, which sparks learning as well

Cognitive Domain

Changes in emotional communication, self understanding, knowledge about other people, intimate relationship, moral reasoning and behavior

6-8 year olds are learning to create and maintain strong friendships

Using communication as a main toolAre very expressiveAre fragile to failure and rejectionThey can relate to their peers, learn to feel

empathy, and communicate with full sentences

Social/Emotional Domain

Children are curious about our every day world and what goes on around us. What better way to engage them in every day learning than to teach them in a fun, interactive way about our universe by introducing them to stars, constellations, and the moon!?

Standard 4.3.4.3The student will know that telescopes magnify distant

objects in the sky and dramatically increase the number of stars we can see.

—Standard 3.3.3.1The sun and moon have locations and movements that can be

observed and described. BENCHMARK: 3.3.3.1.2 Moon Shapes & Positions,

Recognize the pattern of apparent changes in the moon's shape and position.This will focus on the moon interactive

—Standard 2.2.2.1 The motion of an object can be described by a change in its

position over timeThe moon interactives

STEM Standards

Introduce our box…Projector in the middle of the room shining

stars/constellations onto the ceilingRandom facts about our universe around

the room on the wallsCampfire in the middle of the room around

the projectorTelescope making in one corner, moon

phases in the otherBook corner

Physical Layout

Telescope making in one corner, moon phases in the other

Book cornerLook like a “campfire under the stars”Encourage children to want to go

camping or discover more about the stars by exploring in their own back yard or local park

Physical Layout (cont.)

Two days a week (or more or less) Museum worker can read an astronomy related

book to the children at the museumSit around the campfireWill spark interest in the exhibit… children will

want to learn more by interacting after hearing the story

Could also have a little story cove with books for the children to just read alone or with their caretaker

6-8 year olds will enjoy engaging in the storyBenefits for other ages as well…

Interactive One: Story Time

We will focus on showing the phases thru each month

Have the random facts about moon around this interactive station.

1 display will be on the phases of the month and be blown up so children can see the process.

2 display next to it will be the “Moon Phases”This is where the children are able to learn about

the moon phases, what they look like by flipping each phase in this display

Interactive Two: Moon Phases

Continued….This is an example of

this month of DecemberThis would be the

display of the month next to the “Moon Flipping Phases”

it allows the students to get interested and want to learn more.

Around this again will be the random facts about the moon

Children can learn about five major constellations that appear in our region

Stars will be projected onto the ceiling for children to interact with

Learn about the big dipper, little dipper, Leo, Orion, Scorpius

6-8 year olds will be able to engage in the interactive and relate what they learn to every day life

Benefits for other ages…http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGhfPxv9ubk&fb_source=message

Interactive Three: Constellations

Children will make a telescopeCreate from donated toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls

Use it to see everything through a different view

Something that they can take home and use again!

Activity

# Object Cost Notes

1 Projector $80 Video of projector

2 Pillows $90 $15 and need 6 brown body pillows as logs

3 Velcro Wall $0 Use velcro wall already available

4 Felt $21 3 yards make moons, titles, and hints

5 Lamination $20 Do the facts sheets, instruction sheets, hung up by things

6 Paper $6 Just a bundle normal printing paper or construction paper either-or.

Budget

# Object Cost Notes

7 Glow in the dark stars

$10 Stick on floor and tape or carpet over it

8 Books $0 Get from public library. Switch every 1 or 2 weeks

9 Toilet paper /paper towel rolls

$0 Donated

10 Markers $12 6 boxes of markers

11 Plastic prism $20 Tall so kids can’t reach projector

12 Paint $24 Use this or the glow in the dark

13 Real logs $21 For fake camp fire

14 Spray laytex $13 For logs and glow in the dark stars

Total:

$317

Budget (cont.)

Children and parents have chance to learn together in a constructive environment

Children are able to apply what they learned right in their backyard

Engages all agesIncorporates science and mathExhibit has many diversities with it- ex. stars,

moon, seasons, planets, etc.

Benefits and Outcomes

Berk, Laura E. Child Development. Boston: Pearson, 2009. Print.

Citation: