Module 4: Assignment –
Choose one of the activities or activity sets outlined in this module. How would you use the activity in your classroom?
I am keen to used Stellarium-web.org in my classroom in the upcoming academic year. I would use it to do a virtual tour of the night sky, fostering an interest in astronomy and enhancing their understanding of celestial objects and constellations.
I would begin by gathering the students on the carpet and asking them if they have every looked up at the night sky. We would briefly discuss what stars, planets, and the Moon are. I would then introduce Stellarium Web on the interactive whiteboard as a tool to help us explore the night sky. I would show students how to navigate the interface: how to move the sky view, zoom in and out, and identify objects. Then, demonstrate how to find the Moon, a few bright stars, and planets visible at the current time. Highlight a few constellations and explain that constellations are patterns of stars.
Students would then use tablets to explore Stellarium web on their own. I would provide them with a simple scavenger hunt list of objects of find, such as the Moon, a bright star (like Sirius), and a visible planet (like Jupiter or Saturn).
After then interactive use with tablets, students would be provided with printable star charts of a few simple constellations (e.g. the Big Dipper, Orion). Students draw and colour the constellations that they learned about.