Constelations – SCOPES-DF
More Options

Lesson Details

Subjects *
Science, Technology
Age Ranges *
5-8,
Fab Tools *
Classroom Materials,
Author
Paola Mancilla

Author

Paola Mancilla
Paola Mancilla
K-12 teacher

Summary

During this lesson, students are able to experiment with electricity a topic that they had been learning before, which is constellations. This lesson has a combination of FabLab interactive activities with information learned during science class.

What You'll Need

  • Conductive copper tape
  • 2032 battery
  • Black paper
  • Scissors
  • LED lights
  • White chalk
  • Tape

 

Lesson Materials

Learning Objectives

 

Students will identify the major constellations visible in the night sky and describe their basic characteristics.

Students will explain how a simple electrical circuit works by identifying the function of the battery, LED, conductive tape, and switch.

Students will construct an illuminated constellation model using paper, conductive tape, an LED, and a coin-cell battery.

Students will test and troubleshoot their electrical circuit to ensure the LED lights successfully.

Students will evaluate their design and explain how electrical circuits can be used to represent astronomical concepts

 

Reflection

This lesson plan made me notice how you can include technology topics, like circuits, with other subject areas like science. Before this lesson I had some doubts on how to teach topics like circuits in a meaningful way with small students. By introducing topics from other lessons, students are able to make connections with the technology in a easier and more simple way.

The Instructions

Demonstrate previous knowledge

Students will have time to demonstrate what they have learned about constellations. Estimated time: 5 minutes

  • Give students welcome
  • Ask students if they have heard about the word constellation, and what can they say about it.
  • Students will give different ideas.
  • Write them down on the board so students can refer to it while in class.

 

Remember constellations

Students will watch a video with information about constellations and how they are created. Estimated time:5 minutes

 

Show an example of a constellation

Students will see an example of a constellation created by the teacher. The teacher will have it ready before they arrive. Estimated time:5 minutes

  • Tell students you have created a constellation.
  • Show students a constellation previously created by you.
  • Ask students if they would like to create one too, most will say yes.

 

Analyze how the constellation was created

Students will analyze how the constellation was created and what materials are needed to create one on their own. Estimated time:5 minutes

  • Show students the constellation you created.
  • Ask them what materials they see and what would they need.
  • Write the list of materials on the board. Guide them to the things they need if they’re missing something.
  • You can ask students why they think they need those items to see their thinking.

 

Give students material

Students will get the materials, see them and explore them in groups. Estimated time:10 minutes

  • Show students the material they will be using.
  • Allow them to see them and explore them.

 

 

Show students how the material is used

Students will be able to see how the material works and learn the steps they will need to take in order to create their own constellation. Estimated time:20 minutes

  • Show students the battery and the small led lightbulbs.
  • Remind studens how circuits are created and how they need to place the legs of the led light on the battery.
  • Show students how to draw their own constellation using the dark paper and white chalk.
  • Poke holes where the stars would be and put the led lights through the holes.
  • Paste the light with the tape to the battery and to the back of the paper.

 

Display their work

Students can have a space where they can display their work or have a small walking gallery for their classmates.Estimated time: 5 minutes

  • Have half of the students stand around the class with their constellations up. The other half of the students walk around looking at the gallery of constellations.
  • The second option is having a special place in the classroom where to hang their creations.

 

Lesson Feedback

Contact us

Having trouble? Let us know by completing the form below. We'll do our best to get your issues resolved quickly.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
Email*
↑ ?