Education

Educators: Wonders of the Universe Programs Now Available

Written by: developer

The Space Foundation offers a full complement of standards-based programs for PreK-12 students that use our Science On a Sphere® (SOS) to teach a wide variety of subjects, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as social studies, history and government and other classroom content areas.

Offered at our Northrop Grumman Science Center and taught by accredited Space Foundation instructors, the programs include both SOS lecture/demonstrations and hands-on learning activities. The Space Foundation’s Northrop Grumman Science Center is located at 4425 Arrowswest Dr., in Colorado Springs near Garden of the Gods park.

Developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to graphically illustrate complex science principles in a compelling and easy-to-understand format, SOS is a dynamic spherical projection system that uses special software and satellite imagery to render images onto the global surface that provide dramatic, full-motion views of the Earth, Sun, moons and planets in space.

Each course is calibrated for a specific grade-level standard, but may also be appropriate for a range of grades as noted in the descriptions. Because the classes are taught in Colorado, they have been evaluated for Colorado State academic standards; but in most cases, they will also satisfy standards for other states. If your student group is from another state, please contact us to discuss your academic needs.

Program offerings include:

Reasons for the Seasons
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
Kindergarten, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades PreK-1
Course Description:
Explore the science behind the seasons — spring, summer, winter and fall – in this sunny workshop. Watch our planet change from snowy and sleeping to green and growing as you learn the relationship between our Sun and Earth. It’s bound to cause excitement and interest in this amazing relationship.

Cold Hard Facts
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
1st Grade, Physical Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 1-8
Course Description:
Learn about the relationship between temperature and the three states of matter as you watch solids shatter and human breath liquefy. It’s really cool science!

Newton’s Rockets
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
2nd Grade, Physical Science
Appropriate for:
Grades K-3
Course Description:
Launch into physics by experimenting with balloon-powered rockets! Explore the principles of motion while having…a blast!

Soil Seekers
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
3rd Grade, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades K-3
Course Description:
Why are rocks in Colorado unique? Scratch the surface of the Earth’s mineral mysteries and discover how water and time affect our soil resources.

Planetary P.I.
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
4th Grade, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 3-5
Course Description:
Take a journey through our solar system and explore the fascinating worlds of our neighboring planets. Investigate the size and scale of our cosmic neighborhood while examining the unique properties needed to support life on our own planet.

Electric Earth
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
4th Grade, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 3-5
Course Description:
How do we create electricity to power our world? Charge yourself up for an electrifying investigation as we explore static to current and circuit to light.

Wacky Weather
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
5th Grade, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 4-6
Course Description:
What is wet and wild, swirling and twirling? Our wacky weather, of course! Learn how nature makes the perfect storms that produce thunder and lighting, hurricanes and tornadoes and participate in activities that are sure to blow you away!

Cookie Mining
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
6th Grade, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 4-6
Course Description:
How do we mine our precious resources while maintaining positive reclamation practices? Dig into our natural resources and have a tasty good time as you examine the effects mining has on Earth.

Shake Rattle and Roll
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
7th Grade, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 7-9
Course Description:
Why do earthquakes occur frequently in places like California and Alaska and seldom in Colorado? Find out why in this earth-shaking workshop. Investigate plate tectonic movement through hands-on simulation and touch rocks shaped by geological forces.

You’ve Got Guts
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
7th Grade, Life Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 7-9
Course Decription:
Delve into differences among organisms and then uncover how similarities help guide life on our planet. It’s bound to be an ooey-gooey good time as students discover how habitat shapes adaptation by dissecting a squid.

Clone Zone
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
8th Grade, Life Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 6-8
Course Description:
Why are your eyes blue, but your sister’s eyes are brown? This dynamic workshop will introduce students to genetics as they “break the code”… genetic code that is! Discover what makes you, YOU as you isolate your own DNA!

Moon Shot
Meets Colorado State Academic Standards for:
High School, Earth Systems Science
Appropriate for:
Grades 9-12
Course Description:
How do NASA engineers design spacecraft to accomplish specific tasks on other worlds? Find out how and test your own building skills by developing a “Lunar” launch and release mechanism! How will your vehicle hold up? Will it remotely drop onto the desired target at just the right moment? Gain an understanding of engineering and design, test your hypotheses and shoot for the Moon!

Interested?
For further information, contact the Space Foundation via email at [email protected] or via phone at +1.719.576.8000 or +1.800.691.4000.

To see photos of our programs, click here. To learn about all Space Foundation education programs, click here

This article is part of Space Watch: February 2013 (Volume: 12, Issue: 2).


STAY CONNECTED WITH SPACE FOUNDATION

NEWS AND UPDATES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX!