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Please note: The story-telling portion of this session will be similar to the session hosted during Fall of 2020, but the astronomy featured in the program will be new. Join us again if you loved the first class and want to deepen your astronomical knowledge! Join us for the first time if you couldn't make it in the fall.

Have you ever wondered why & how there is a longest and shortest day of the year? And what is an Equinox anyway? In this interactive session, students will learn the science behind these annual events and then explore constellations they can see in the night sky at those times of year. They will explore the myths or stories behind specific constellations in the night sky and will work with their own cluster of stars to create a constellation and story to go with it.

Required Materials: Print at least one of the following Connect the Dots star constellations. They will be used for an activity during the session. DO NOT connect the dots in advance.

Constellation A Constellation B Constellation C

Constellation D Constellation E Constellation F

Constellation G

Optional Materials: Download the Learning & Discussion Guide to track your learning during the session. Educators and parents can use the Answer Key to assist students.

Tech Requirements: Hosted on Zoom; Optional Download the 'Night Sky' or 'Star Chart' app for iPhone or the 'Sky View' app for Android. We will use FlipGrid to share constellation stories after the program; we will provide instructions on how to use FlipGrid during the session.

Recording:

Zoom Recording of Stories in the Stars

Stories in the Stars Prezi

Constellation Story FlipGrid Share

Key Vocabulary & Learning Concepts - depending on the time of year, this session will cover some of the following vocabulary

Constellation Asterism Myth Full Moon

Blue Moon Meteor Meteor Shower Meteoroid

Radiant Point Asteroid Comet Planetary motion

Orbit Moon phases Equinox Solstice

Star Cluster Galaxy Terminator Line Rotational Axis

Hemisphere Elliptical Orbit

This session aligns with the following NC teaching standards for grades 2 through 7

Second Grade

Science 2.E.1 Understand patterns of weather and factors that affect weather

Language Arts L.2.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Third Grade

Science 3.P.1 Understand motion and factors that affect motion

Science 3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system

Social Studies 3.H.1.3 Exemplify the ideas that were significant in the development of local communities and regions

Social Studies 3.H.2.2 Explain how multiple perspectives are portrayed through historical narratives

Language Arts L.3.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.3.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships

Fourth Grade

Science 4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and phases of the moon

Language Arts L4.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.4.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being and that are basic to a particular topic

Fifth Grade

Science 5.E.1 Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time

Sixth Grade

Science 6.E.1 Understand the earth/moon/sun system, and the properties, structures and predictable motions of celestial bodies in the Universe

Seventh Grade

Language Arts L.7.4 Determine and/or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies: context clues, word parts, word relationships, and reference materials

Language Arts L.7.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression