School Astronomy Talk

[Rodstar]

I have been invited to speak to my 8 year old's class on the topic of "the Solar System" (daytime).

I thought I might do the talk as if we are doing a space mission together to explore the solar system, and as well as describing the various bodies that inhabit the solar system, perhaps even talk about some of the hazards of space travel (solar flares, cosmic radiation, boredom etc).

I thought maybe I could ask the class to tell me where they want to go, and what they want to see, and I could tell a story as we go along visiting those places. That way, I can talk about what interests them.

Should be a hoot! Any suggestions very much welcome. :thumbsup:

PS I don't have a solar scope/filter. To be honest, I would rather not bother with all of that!

[h0ughy]

your welcome to borrow the PST Rod, that's always a winner, also when you do your talk, is the moon up, you know like early morning type talk. Remember to be interactive with the kids, they like that, and never, ever show them fear, they will eat you alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :scared:

I have a set of laminated planets, (and yes I have Pluto in that!!), that I use that has data on the back to help me remember data the kids always ask after, then after I introduce the planets I pick kids to become the planet (note if possible I do this outside) then I space them out to try and show them how big/small the universe is (that's about 10 minutes worth) then show them the sun and moon. the moon get them every time, but the sun in Halpha really hooks them. Don't worry you will end up with about 4 or 5 other classes coming through looking through the telescope. they did for my daughter!! I have 137 kids look through the 5" MC at the moon and the PST at the sun, one line up on each. I instructed the teacher to mind one scope while I manned the other. may take 20 - 30 minutes and continually talking to the kids. Also provided a colouring in sheet and a puzzle sheet with questions and answers on it, they had to unjumble the words to get the words required for the find a word. I think the teacher thought I was a bit thick until I had finished the lesson;) she was right though), mind you you have to keep an eye on the time. The key is keep the kids involved! best of luck:thumbsup: :D

[Wombat_In_Space]

Rod what I do for year 8's is first check with the teacher to find out what area they are covering in class, from there I decided what I should do my presentation on and what areas to cover, If you have any slides or even DVD on DSO’s would be handy as that should be the area they are studying, covering the formation of the planets and the solar system is good as well.

Darren

[mickoking]

Thats a fantastic thing your doing Rod; just be prepared for some unusual questions :thumbsup:

[Rodstar]

Thanks guys for all of the comments and suggestions.

HOughy, you are a champion.....I would love to take you up on the offer of the PST and planet posters.

I will PM you to make some arrangements!

[Rodstar]

Dear all,

I am pleased to report that the school talk went off brilliantly today at Point Clare Public School.

Thanks to HOughy lending the Solar scope, I organised a talk around the Sun.

We started with a few "Pop Quiz" questions (such as, "Where do the stars go during the day?"), and then I went through some facts and figures, with the kids writing down words in the blanks in a body of text. We covered the sun's size, temperature, features, distance from earth, and age. I then talked a bit about the sun's future, and I showed some lovey pictures of planetary nebulae to make the point.

Next area we covered was the dangers of space, and I picked up on an article in the current edition of Astronomy Magazine about an unmanned mission to survey the sun, scheduled in or about 2014. I had some pictures, and the kids were enthralled.

Last up, we talked about the PST Coronado, what to look out for (sunspots, solar flares and prominences etc), and then I took the kids out in groups of three or four at a time (with the teacher supervising the rest) to show them the sun. Most of the kids had a "Wow" moment when they finally worked out how to look into the eyepiece. Even the teacher was astonished when she got to have a look. There was an obvious sunspot which almost everyone saw, and some large solar flares at 2 o'clock and 9 o'clock which many saw very clearly.

All in all, very worthwhile. Thanks again to HOughy for his generosity in lending the scope.

[matt]

Glad it was such a success, Rod.

Well done:thumbsup:

[iceman]

Sounds great Rod, well done!

You're a great public speaker, i'm sure you had them on the edge of their seats. Did you dance or put undies on your head? :)

[Rodstar]

No Mike, I generally save that for Nina (or at Starparties if I am either very very tired or very very cold).....:lol:

[h0ughy]

um aren't there laws against subjecting little kiddies to the horrors of this barbaric act!!!:rofl: great news that the kids had a good time Rod:thumbsup:

[wavelandscott]

Sounds like a great experience for everyone involved!

Good work Rod :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

and it was very much appreciated - with dinner!!

NP with borrowing it:thumbsup:

apologies for not rotating the image, but it pours better like that

[Phil]

I did a talk for a class at Blackwater Queensland. They ask me to come along with some gear to show the kids and photos. I was told before hand it would only be one class but when i got there the whole school had joinrd in. What a great time i had talking to the kids and showing then some of my equipment and photos. It was a day i will neather foget. The kids love it.:thumbsup:

[Rodstar]

You crack me up, HOughy! :lol: :rofl:

Phil, you are a brave man...I think I would have packed up my gear and bid a hasty retreat if the whole school had turned up! :scared:

[Phil]

Yes i craped myself when i walked in but what can you do. Had to talk to the kids:doh: