Constelations – SCOPES-DF

Lesson Details

Subjects *
Age Ranges *
5-8,
Fab Tools *

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

During this lesson students will be able to use previous knowledge about stars and constellations by expressing their creativity in the making of constellations using simple circuits.

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.

  • 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.

 

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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

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