Sample Investigations

Throughout the manual the chapters are dotted with investigations similar to the ones below. These help involve the students through informal hands-on activities in which they use the skills learned in the curriculum. Below are two examples taken from different chapters in the manual.

Investigation 3.1: Drawing a Star Map

Determine your best location from which to observe the night sky. After the skies are dark enough to see several stars and constellations, draw a picture of some part of the sky of your choice. Draw appropriately-sized points to denote the magnitudes of the stars. If you see patterns that you think may be constellations, draw in the lines where you think they belong. Represent the sky as accurately as possible, including the color of any stars you may notice. If you do not know any directions, then draw in one or more objects on the horizon to use as reference points. Do you think your classmates will recognize your star map? If you go out with your sky map at the same time of night one week later, would you expect to see the same patterns? Will they be in the same location? Try it and see. Record any differences on your map. Discuss your observations and results with your classmates.

Investigation 4.1b: Understanding the Motions of the Stars and Constellations Across the Sky

You know that stars and constellations seem to move across the sky. How fast do they move? Locate a bright star that you can easily watch appear over the horizon, a building, or any easily identifiable reference point. Record the time that it just comes into view at your reference point. Do you think the star will appear at the same time every night? Repeat your observation and again record the time three days later. Does the star come into view at the same time? If not, what is the difference? Make five observations approximately three days apart, and take the average. Wha does this number represent? Remember that the Earth travels 360° in one rotation, and the amount of time one rotation takes is commonly accepted as 24 hours.