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Plan a project for your class to take part in the International Dark Sky Association’s “Rising Star” Awards programme:
Planning a project for the “Rising Star” Awards supports enquiry-based learning and provides many rich opportunities for meaningful integration across the curriculum.1. Introduction to Dark Skies: I would introduce the idea by discussing the importance if dark skies with the children. We would also discuss the impact of light pollution on the environment and wildlife.
2. Light pollution survey: This is an opportunity for integration with the maths curriculum. The children would conduct a light pollution survey around the school area. They will then map out areas with high and low light pollution areas. This activity ties in with maps in the geography curriculum.
3. Community awareness campaign: The children would create posters, presentations or videos to raise awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies and reducing light pollution.
4. Starry Night Event: The class could host a “Starry Night” event at the school where staff, pupils and their families can come together to stargaze and to participate in dark skies related activities.
5. Rising Star Awards application: I would support the children in preparing an application for the “Rising Star” awards programme, ensuring that they highlight their efforts in promoting dark skies and raising awareness about light pollution.
I also would hope to use a moon journal in my class for this activity. I think it will work very well for formative assessment purposes as the children will have an accessible log of their learning.
Plan to observe the Moon:
The best phase of the moon to observe in the morning in school is the waning crescent moon. This is an ideal time because the moon will not be too bright and we will be able to observe features like craters and mountains.
In 2024, the waning crescent moon will be perfect for observations around the 20th October. In 2025, moon observation mornings would be suitable around the 29th September for the waning crescent phase.In my class, the children would keep a moon journal for this activity where they can draw and write about what they see for each observation. They could also add to this at home as a homework activity where they can observe the moon at night time. They could compare and contrast with what we see in the morning in their journals. In the journals, the children could note the shape of the moon, visible features and brightness.
I agree Patrick. There are plenty of opportunities for meaningful integration with the sundial activity. Creating the sundial and using it as a resource will give the children great ownership of their learning.
ESERO 30 Day and Night in the World
I found this activity very interesting and engaging. I think it provides great opportunities for cross-curricular links within the SESE curriculum through the discussion of natural environments in geography and living things in science. There is also a possibility for integration with English genre writing such as explanation or report writing on nocturnal or diurnal animals. I found this lesson engaging as it had visual stimuli, opportunities for discussion and hands-on activities. Each of these aspects contribute to the clear and concise lesson structure. Enquiry based learning is embedded throughout the lesson. This lesson could be adapted or extended depending on the age group and it contains very accessible material. The idea of the orange and making the class dark provides a visual and immersive experience for the children whereby they can explain the concept of day and night in their own words. The hands on activities with the paper add variety and provide opportunities for collaborative and practical learning.