Daytime Astronomy Planetarium Students receive an excellent introduction to stars and constellations. Enter our Starlab domes and learn about motions of the sky, discuss constellation myths, and create your own constellations. Our Conference Center has two Starlab inflatable domes 16 feet in diameter, 11 feet in height. Big enough to hold 27 people, it is certainly spacious for a group of 15. Each dome is equipped with a projector and 2 projection cylinders, one which projects stars onto the dome ceiling, the other which shows figures from Greek mythology. Upon entering the dome, students let their eyes adjust to the dark as they listen to the instructor tell a story of how the stars came to be. The stars then make their magical appearance, and the instructor begins to point out bright stars and notable constellations. After familiarizing the students to the sky, the instructor changes cylinders and projects figures from Greek mythology. The instructor discusses how all peoples of the world saw pictures in the heavens and gives a constellation story or two, even letting the students join in on a constellation myth of their own making. The planetarium program can be accompanied with a variety of supplementary activities. In the nearby Vortex Room, students can learn about Einstein’s description of gravity with the Vortex Table. Students can also learn about the phases of the moon or create their very own star charts (and learn about why they have to turn them to get the sky correctly).
California Science Standards
5th Grade: 5c
8th Grade: 4b
Standards (PDF)
Solar Studies Learn about the structure and physics of the sun and safely view sunspots, prominences, and other solar features through telescopes using special solar filters. In addition, learn about solar radiation and energy through hands-on experiments involving solar cells, ovens, water heaters, and more.  The class takes place at one of Astrocamp’s Telescope Viewing areas and revolves around the theme of a “Solar” day. The day begins when you wake up – to a clock. So the class gathers around a giant sundial painted on the ground. Next, its time for the morning shower with the water heated by a solar heater. Students get to experience the change in temperature of water as it is sent through the heater and ponder what makes the heater work. Breakfast is next and time to head over to the Sun Ovens. Having figured out how the solar heater works, students see similar principles at work here as well. Now its time for school and everyone heads over to the “barn” structure for a solar lesson. Using a computer and a projector, the instructor takes students along on a journey from the center of the Sun to the earth. The lesson concludes with the Sunrap, a number the kids find “hip” though it includes tons of information about the Sun. It is now recess in our Solar Day and we head back outside. Two telescopes are set up with special filters. One is set up for viewing sunspots, the other is tuned for solar prominences. Afterwards, students are let loose on a variety of solar toys. The Solar Day concludes with a little treat: solar cookies that have been cooking in the Sun Ovens.
California Science Standards
5th Grade: 5a
6th Grade: 3a-d,4a,b
Standards (PDF)
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