These recommendations are tailored for organizations and clubs such as libraries, planetariums, science centers, astronomy clubs, and scout troops.
Consider holding a sky viewing event. Get in touch with local astronomical societies, planetariums and museums, and NASA's Solar System Ambassadors -- ask them to join your events and share their experiences or resources with the children. For more information and resources, check out this topic's Educational Resources section.
Be sure to submit photographs, artwork, music, or words of your community enjoying your activities to Share Your Stories.
Activities
Build a Sun Funnel for Group Viewing of Sunspots & the Transit of Venus
In Spanish | This document has directions and visuals on how to build a simple, inexpensive devise that makes it possible for many people to observe the sun simultaneously. |
| Kepler Star Wheel | Participants make a constellation map of the night sky which shows the locations of many of the discovered planetary systems. Kepler Star Wheel is based on Uncle Al's Star Wheels [http://uncleal.net/] from the Hands-On Universe project [http://www.handsonuniverse.org/]. Uncle Al's Starwheels are in turn derived from Sky Challengers from Lawrence Hall of Science [http://lawrencehallofscience.stores.yahoo.net/skychallenger.html] |
| Where Are the Distant Worlds? Star Maps | Use a star map to find constellations and to identify stars with extrasolar planets. (Northern Hemisphere only, naked eye) |
| Create Your Own Stained Glass Window | Children create their own stained glass windows with words and images to commemorate the historic event: the transit of Venus. |
| Cardboard Tube Pinhole Projector | Children build pinhole projectors that can be used to safely view the sun. |
