Be a NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses

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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.

Contents

  • 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

Streamables

Kit Overview

Loony Lunar Phases

Further Resources

Streamable Resources

Scale Model of Sun and Earth

Hands-on Activities for Eclipse Programs

More videos can be found at the STAR Net YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAlTEzl-kWDOrWf6-GBvpYQ/featured