Stellar Stories: Kindergarten Cosmos Creations

6th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Stellar Stories: Kindergarten Cosmos Creations

Joseph Lee

ESS.1.A

ESS.1.B

Purpose

This project aims to immerse 6th-grade students in the wonders of astronomy through hands-on exploration and creative expression. By constructing mini projector boxes and designing animated books, students will gain a deeper understanding of the life cycle of stars and the dynamics of our solar system. Collaborating with community partners like UC San Diego, students will connect their learning to real-world experiences, fostering curiosity and engagement. Through this project, students will create meaningful educational resources for kindergarteners, enhancing their communication skills and reinforcing their scientific knowledge.

Learning goals

Students will explore the life cycle of stars and understand the principles of gravity and planetary motion through interactive activities. They will apply Newton's laws of motion to real-world observations, using telescopes and creating scale models of the solar system. By developing mini projector boxes and animated books, students will learn to convey complex scientific concepts in an engaging manner suitable for young learners. Collaboration with community partners will deepen their understanding of constellations and enhance their presentation skills.

Standards

ESS.1.A - The Universe and Its Stars
ESS.1.B - Earth and the Solar System

Products

Students will construct mini projector boxes to display constellations and create a colorful, animated book for kindergarteners, inspired by their interests in space. The book will illustrate the life cycle of stars in an engaging manner, combining student observations and creativity. Throughout the project, students will refine their models and animations, ensuring they are both scientifically accurate and captivating for young learners.

Launch

Kick off the project with an immersive experience by inviting UC San Diego's portable planetarium team to set up their inflatable dome at your school. Students will enter the dome to observe and learn about the constellations visible in the San Diego night sky, sparking curiosity and excitement. This hands-on experience will serve as a catalyst for their upcoming project, allowing them to visualize the universe and inspiring them to create their own mini projector boxes.

Exhibition

At the end of the project, students will host an interactive "Space Night" exhibition where they showcase their mini projector planetariums and animated books to parents and the kindergarten class. The event will include a guided tour of their scale model of the solar system set up around the campus, explaining the life cycle of stars and the movement of planets. Students will also demonstrate their understanding of Newton's laws of motion through hands-on activities. The UC San Diego portable planetarium will be featured, allowing attendees to experience the constellations up close. This exhibition will provide an engaging platform for students to share their knowledge and creativity with the community.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Planetarium Experience - Students will participate in a guided session with UC San Diego's portable planetarium to observe and learn about the constellations visible in the San Diego night sky, sparking curiosity and excitement for the project (45 min)	Introduction to Stars - Students will explore the life cycle of stars using multimedia resources and discuss the essential question: 'How can we use our observations and creativity to illustrate the life cycle of stars?' (20 min) Constellation Sketching - Students will begin sketching constellations they observed in the planetarium, focusing on accurate representation and creativity for future use in their mini projector boxes (25 min)	Gravity and Planetary Motion - Students will engage in a hands-on activity to model the movement of planets and the effect of gravity, applying Newton's laws of motion (25 min) Create a Scale Model Plan - Students will outline a plan to create a scale model of the solar system around the campus, determining which planets to include and their relative distances (20 min)	Mini Projector Box Introduction - Students will learn about the mechanics of constructing mini projector boxes and how they will project constellation images (15 min) Begin Construction - Students will start building their mini projector boxes, focusing on cutting and assembling the basic structure (30 min)	Constellation Transparency Creation - Students will create transparent sheets with their sketched constellations to be used in their mini projector boxes (20 min) Reflection and Sharing - Students will reflect on what they've learned about stars and planets this week and share their thoughts and questions with the class (25 min)
Deliverables	1. List of constellations observed during the planetarium experience. 2. Visual timeline of the life cycle of stars. 3. Initial design sketches for the mini projector box.
Preparation	1. Arrange for the UC San Diego portable planetarium visit, coordinating times and logistics. 2. Gather and prepare research materials on the life cycle of stars, including books and access to online databases. 3. Collect materials for the mini projector box, such as cardboard, lenses, and light sources. 4. Coordinate with kindergarten teachers to schedule interviews with their students.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Star Life Cycle Exploration - Students research different stages of a star's life cycle and create a visual storyboard to outline these stages (45 min)	Gravity and Planetary Motion Activity - Students use an online simulation to explore how gravity affects planetary motion and document their observations in a science journal (30 min) Class Discussion: Gravity - Facilitate a discussion on the findings from the simulation and how gravity influences our solar system, encouraging students to connect with their storyboard (15 min)	Newton's Laws and Space Exploration - Students participate in hands-on experiments demonstrating Newton's laws of motion using simple materials and relate them to space exploration (30 min) Reflection Journal - Students write a short reflection on how Newton's laws apply to the movement of planets and stars (15 min)	Designing Mini Projector Boxes - Students begin designing and sketching plans for their mini projector boxes that will display constellations, incorporating principles of light and shadow (45 min)	Constellation Creation - Students select constellations and begin drafting simple designs to be used with their projector boxes, ensuring they are suitable for a young audience (30 min) Peer Review Session - Students share their designs and provide constructive feedback to each other, focusing on clarity and engagement for kindergarteners (15 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed design and internal structure of mini projector boxes. 2. Initial draft outline of the animated book illustrating the life cycle of stars.
Preparation	1. Gather and prepare materials for mini projector box construction, including cardboard, LED lights, transparency sheets, and adhesives. 2. Set up telescopes and organize resources for students to practice night sky observations. 3. Provide research materials and resources on the life cycle of stars for student exploration. 4. Coordinate with kindergarten teachers to facilitate student interviews and input gathering sessions.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Modeling Planetary Motion - Students will work in teams to simulate the movement of planets around the sun, incorporating gravity and Newton's laws of motion (45 min)	Scale Model Construction - Students will begin constructing their scale model of the solar system around the campus, focusing on accurate distances and planet sizes (30 min) Planetary Fact Collection - Students will research and compile interesting facts about each planet for inclusion in their scale model display (15 min)	Mini Projector Box Finalization - Students will complete the assembly of their mini projector boxes, ensuring all components are securely in place (30 min) Constellation Projection Testing - Students will test their mini projector boxes by projecting constellations and making necessary adjustments to improve clarity (15 min)	Animated Book Planning - Students will brainstorm and outline their animated book for kindergarteners, focusing on storytelling and scientific accuracy (20 min) Illustration Techniques - Students will practice illustration techniques to prepare for the creation of their animated book (25 min)	Book Illustration and Animation - Students will begin illustrating and animating their book, guided by their outline and techniques practiced (45 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed storyboard for the animated book, including preliminary sketches and text. 2. Prototype of the mini projector box, capable of projecting at least one constellation.
Preparation	1. Gather materials for mini projector boxes, including cardboard, small light sources, transparency sheets, and constellation templates. 2. Provide art supplies such as colored pencils, markers, and paper for book storyboarding. 3. Arrange access to telescopes and coordinate an evening observation session. 4. Prepare materials for scale model, including planet models, stakes for placement, and educational signage.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Finalize Mini Projector Boxes - Students complete the construction and testing of their mini projector boxes, ensuring they accurately display constellations (30 min) Begin Book Design - Students start designing their animated book for kindergarteners, brainstorming ideas that incorporate the life cycle of stars (15 min)	Book Illustration Workshop - Students work on illustrating pages for their animated book, focusing on engaging visuals and clear storytelling (45 min)	Animation Techniques - Students learn basic animation techniques using Adobe software to bring their book illustrations to life (30 min) Book Animation Session - Students apply animation techniques to their book illustrations, creating a dynamic and interactive experience for kindergarteners (15 min)	Peer Review and Feedback - Students exchange their animated book drafts and projector boxes with peers for constructive feedback, refining their projects based on suggestions (25 min) Revisions and Final Touches - Students implement feedback and make final adjustments to their books and projector boxes, ensuring readiness for exhibition (20 min)	Rehearse Exhibition Presentation - Students practice presenting their mini projector boxes and animated books, preparing for the Space Night exhibition (20 min) Set Up Exhibition Space - Students collaboratively set up the exhibition space, arranging their projects and preparing to showcase their learning to parents and kindergarteners (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed animated book for kindergarteners, illustrating the life cycle of stars. 2. Fully constructed and operational mini projector boxes for constellation projections. 3. Prepared presentation and guided tour script for the 'Space Night' exhibition.
Preparation	1. Gather final materials for book binding and coloring tools for book animations. 2. Check all projector components and ensure functionality for constellation displays. 3. Coordinate with UC San Diego for the portable planetarium setup during the exhibition. 4. Prepare and position materials needed for the scale model of the solar system. 5. Collect and organize materials needed for Newton's laws demonstrations, such as balloons, string, and small weights.