"Exploring Patterns in the Sky"
Satisfies the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for 1st grade.
This show explains the concepts of rotation and revolution showing the patterns Earth’s rotation creates (movement of the Sun and stars across the sky from East to West) and the repeating patterns Earth’s revolution creates, such as the constellations and seasons changing over the course of a year. It also explains how the moon’s revolution around the Earth creates the phases of the moon. It ends with a presentation of the full dome movie Earth, Moon, Sun.
"Force, Mass, and Motion"
Satisfies the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for 3rd grade.
This show explains rotation and revolution in a more detailed way and uses physical props as part of a demonstration, which includes how to find the winter and summer constellations and the Milky Way. It also covers the concept of gravity using the terms Mass, Weight, Density and two of Kepler’s 3 Laws of planetary motion. Lastly, it shows videos that explain how astronauts live in space without gravity.
"Exploring the Earth and Sun"
Satisfies the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) for 5th grade.
This show explains how the motion of the Sun across the sky can be used to tell time due to the Earth’s rotation and how the constellations change over the course of a year because of the Earth’s revolution, including how to find constellations in all four seasons. It also explains in depth why we have seasons. In addition, it explains how gravity keeps the planets in orbit around the Sun and compares the Sun to other stars in terms of mass and size (diameter/radius).
"The Boy Who Hated the Nighttime"
The dark of nighttime can be scary, especially if you're not familiar with nighttime things. The planetarium sky will be the backdrop for the story of a little boy who becomes less scared after learning about constellations, the Moon, meteors, comets and aurora. The boy is also shown what to expect as the sky seems to shift during the night. Kindergarten through second grade.
Word list: sun, star, constellation, earth, rotate, meteor, comet, aurora, phases, moon
"Dudley the Curious Duckling"
Dudley is a very curious duckling. When he sees the full moon for the first time, he becomes so curious, he has to find out what it is and why it's getting smaller. This starts him on a quest which takes him all over his farm in search of answers. He finally meets a wise old owl who gives him some of the answers he seeks as well as a new friend. This program introduces the phases of the moon and the basics of why they occur. Kindergarten through second grade.
Word list: rotation, pole, planet, orbit, constellation, axis, equator, revolution, ecliptic, star
"Reading the Night Sky like a Scout"
This show qualifies for the Boy Scout Astronomy Merit badge and fulfills some of the requirements for the Cadets and Senior Girl Scout Space Exploration Merit Badge
Before you go out camping you will be able to prepare yourself for the sky that will be above you. The seasonal sky will be shown so that one can figure out directions and locate various constellations. You will also be shown how to tell time by the Sun and by the stars.
Under the night sky you will witness unusual sights such as a meteor shower, an exploding fireball and a comet. The changing positions of the planets and the phases of the moon will also be displayed. The dome of the sky should then be a more familiar covering for your camping excursions.
Word list: meteor, comet, meridian, galaxy, coordinates, constellation, zodiac, retrograde, circumpolar, ecliptic