Be a NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses

The Be a NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses Kit focuses on activities and experiences that help patrons (and library staﬀ!) be more comfortable using tools of science, and making predictions based on their observations. Major content areas in this kit include: modeling the vast distances in our Solar System using a fun paper folding project, creating the shapes of the Moon’s phases with some “tasty” resources, exploring science through art with planetary image analysis, investigating the insides of planets using hands-on objects, and using scientific tools such as a telescope and infrared thermometer to observe the properties of objects that are difficult to see with our eyes.

PATRONS WILL BE ABLE TO:

Model the vast distances in our Solar System using a fun paper folding activity
Create the shapes of the Moon’s phases with some “tasty” resources
Explore art as science and science as art through planetary images
Investigate the insides of planets using hands-on objects and detecting tools
Using scientific tools such as a telescope and infrared thermometer to observe properties of objects that are difficult to see with our eye

Developed by STAR Net’s NASA@ My Library team, this kit assists library staﬀ in facilitating programs around exciting NASA science mission topics.

1 pair binoculars
1 tabletop telescope
2 plastic storage boxes
12 ornament balls
1 bag small marbles
1 bag paper clips
1 bag pony beads
3 small round magnets
3 bar magnets
1 flashlight
1 red light flashlight
1 kitchen scale
1 magnetic science experiment kit
24 colored pencils
12 rolls adding machine paper
2 infrared thermometers
1 Earth ball
2 strips standard staples: metal, plastic, wood
1 book – Find the constellations by H.A. Rey.
1 book – The secret galaxy by Fran Hodgkins.
1 book – Starry skies by Samantha Chagollan.
1 book – Secrets of our Earth by Carron Brown.
1 book – Understanding Small Worlds in the Solar System by Cassandra Runyon, David Hurd and Joseph Minatra.
1 book – Getting a feel for lunar craters by David Hurd.
Quick Start-up Guide cards

Facilitation Guide

View the facilitation guide that comes with the kit on the STAR Net website:

NASA STEM Facilitation Kit – Be a NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses
https://www.starnetlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/KitB-NASA-STEM-Facilitation-Binder.pdf

STAR Net Activities

This list provides the direct link to activities on the STAR Net Libraries Clearinghouse page as well as access to related activities, books, and databases to expand your programs.

Planet Party
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/62-planet-party.html

Pocket Solar System
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/229-pocket-solar-system.html

Loony Lunar Phases
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/83-loony-lunar-phases.html

Art and the Cosmic Collection
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/earth-science/141-art-and-the-cosmic-connection.html

Investigating the Insides
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/192-investigating-the-insides.html

Taking the Earth’s Temperature
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/earth-science/196-taking-earth-s-temperature.html

Kit Overview

Further Resources

STAR Library Network (STAR Net)
STEM Activity Clearinghouse (for activities and programs and valuable resources)
Blogs (share success stories!)
Night Sky Network
Solar System Ambassadors
Webinars (online professional learning)
Workshops and meet-ups at conferences (in-person professional training)
Girls STEAM Ahead With NASA Resource Center: https://www.universe-of-learning.org/gsawn
Education and Public Engagement at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Out-of-School Time Programs: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/out-of-school/
NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Education: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/teach/
NASA’s International Space Station: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
STEM mobile apps from Sci Games. Visit SciGames.org for free games and activities for your phone or tablet. Our newest app: Space Stage, is a “green screen” activity that lets you take selfies and record videos as if from other worlds. Use the companion literacy activities to engage youth in creating “weather reports” and “commercials” for visiting those other worlds. (Space Stage is currently only available for some Android devices. Stay tuned for expanded capability!)
Reports and tools for library leaders
Information about upcoming national STEM Events
Join this FREE network to receive STAR Net News (online newsletter)
Engage public audiences nationwide in informal and lifelong learning with the excitement of NASA exploration and discovery through new NASA@ My Library resources! Find activities, apps, video clips, and more through the STEM Activity Clearinghouse