The Sun-Earth-Moon Connections Kit focuses on activities and experiences that better help patrons understand their place in space, and how the Sun and Moon impact our planet. Major content areas in this kit include: modeling both lunar and solar eclipses with easy to use tools, detecting ultraviolet light in a creative way, using sorting cards to explore concepts relating to size, distance, and temperature, and an experiential activity that allows for a greater understanding of the vast scale of our Solar System.
PATRONS WILL BE ABLE TO:
- Model both lunar and solar eclipses with easy-to-use tools
- Detect ultraviolet light in a creative way
- Use sorting cards to explore concepts relating to size, distance, and temperature
- Create a scale-size model of the Solar System
- Safely view the Sun with Sunoculars
Developed by STAR Net’s NASA@ My Library team, this kit assists library staff in facilitating programs around exciting NASA science mission topics.
Contents
- 2 bags UV beads,
- 2 bags pony beads,
- 2 bags pipe cleaners,
- 2 UV flashlights,
- 2 sunoculars,
- 1 foam ball,
- 10 small bags of various household items,
- 27 sorting cards,
- 5 yardsticks,
- 12 toothpicks,
- 5 1-inch balls,
- 5 114-inch balls,
- 10 binder clips,
- 5 yardstick eclipse cards
- informational sheets
- 1 book – Moonbear’s shadow by Frank Asch.
- 1 book – Oh say can you say what’s the weather today? by Tish Rabe.
- 1 book – Dot to dot in the sky : stories of the aurora by Joan Marie Gala!.
- 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 – Sun-Earth-Moon Connections
https://www.starnetlibraries.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/KitA-NASA-STEM-Facilitation-Binder.pdf
Links to Kit 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.
Modeling Meaningful Eclipses
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/140-why-do-eclipses-happen-yardstick-eclipse-demonstration.html?search_query=eclipses&results=6
UV Kid!
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/earth-science/93-uv-kid.html?search_query=uv&results=6
Sorting Games: How Big? How Far? How Hot?
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/77-how-big-how-far-how-hot-how-old.html?search_query=sorting+games&results=5
Jump to Jupiter
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/astronomy-and-space/65-jump-to-jupiter.html
Streamables
Sun Earth Moon Connections Overview
UV Kid video demo
Jump to Jupiter
Further Resources
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