Academy Curricular Exchange
Columbia Education Center
Science

Bonnie Frazier, Parson Elementary, Las Vegas, NV

                          CONSTELLATIONS

Appropriate for grades 3-6.

OVERVIEW:  Astronomy provides practice in those skill that are
prerequisite to the scientists of tomorrow:  observation,
graphing, recording, and predicting.  Basic to many astronomical
observations are the North Polar Constellations.  The following
activities provide our young scientists with success-oriented
practice in locating and recognizing these stars in the sky.

PURPOSE:  The purpose of the following activities is to strengthen
the skills of visual perception, observation, and recording by
using repetition of visual bulletin board displays of the North
Polar Constellations and graphing those star patterns.

OBJECTIVES:  Students will:

 1.  Recognize patterns of constellations

 2.  Graph the constellations on graph paper

 3.  Draw their own version of the constellations using star
     patterns

ACTIVITIES:  

 1.  Using Christmas lights, fluorescent markers or paint, mark
     the stars of Ursa Major on a bulletin board.  Use string or
     chalk to draw the lines to connect the stars to form the
     constellation figure as you tell the story of the
     constellation (classical and Native American versions are
     available through your librarian).  Repeat this procedure for
     Ursa Minor, Draco, Cepheus, and Cassiopeia.

 2.  After familiarizing students with the North Polar
     Constellations, use graph paper and coordinates to make the
     star patterns of each constellation.

     Ursa Major:  (M,37); (Q,34); (R,34); (U,33); (W,35); (Z,32);
                  (X,30).

     Ursa Minor:  (R,17); (O,18); (N,20); (M,22); (K,22); (L,25);
                  (N,25).

     Draco:       (B,33); (C,30); (E,32); (D,34); (B,24); (C,22);
                  (F,24); (G,22); (G,28); (G,30); (I,31); (N,30);
                  (R,27); (U,27).

     Cepheus:     (G,6); (E,10); (I,12); (J,8); (O,11).

     Cassiopeia:  (L,1); (K,4); (O,4); (S,5); (R,2).

 3.  Have the students transfer the star patterns onto white
     drawing paper and draw their own versions of the North Polar
     Constellations.


RESOURCES/MATERIALS NEEDED:  All listed above.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  This activity may be easily extended and
enhanced with a visit to a local planetarium or a portable
planetarium unit.  These lessons may be the spark that starts a
lifetime hobby or career in astronomy or other scientific field.

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