A scale model of the Solar System. This would include some art work, but not much. If you use a 20" styrofoam ball for the Sun, the distances and sizes of the planets is manageable in most areas. The huge difference in the size of the planets vs. the distances is inspiring. I put square stakes in the ground with a flat head nail on the top to mount their planets. Also, I have the students make a card for their particular planet that I staple to the side of the post. If you get them to be creative, you might want to print the sheets on photo-quality paper and lamenate them.
Another fun exercise is to create a parallax measuring device with a transparancy and measure a distant object.
Tom McCarthy
St. Paul's School
Concord, NH
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert W. Arts [mailto:rarts@PC.EDU]
Sent: Sat 6/29/2002 8:26 AM
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Cc:
Subject: Astronomy activity help
Greetings All,
I hope the summer is finding you all well.
The reason for this note is our upcoming summer science and math day
camp. Each year we host two hundred middle school students (grades 5
- 8) for two consecutive weeks (5 & 6 one week and 7 & 8 the other) of
day camp. Any way, I'm looking for an astronomy activity that these
campers can work on. Generally we have one hour blocks of time each
day for three days for such an activity. I have a day or so already
planned but am interested in ideas for an additional hour or two's
project. I like the level of the activity to be something
challenging, interesting as well as hands-on. I've started to run out
of really good ideas as we try to rotate on a four-year cycle so
repeat campers will not see the same activity if they return for four
straight years. Thus, things like spectroscopes, celestial spheres,
and rockets have already been through the loop.
Any suggestions? I'd appreciate what ever help that any one can give.
Thank you very much...advance.
Robert.
_________________________________________
Robert W. Arts
Associate Professor of Physics
Director, Math/Science Resource Center
Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY 41501