Reach for the Stars Astronomy Workshop

The Science House of NC State University offers a 10-hour hands-on Astronomy workshop for Elementary and Middle School teachers. The workshop will be geared toward the Standard Course of Study Curriculum Goals for grades 3 (earth/sun/moon system, and 6 (solar system). These exciting inquiry-based activities can be conducted in your classroom with material kits that you can borrow! Learn from materials created by active scientists and twentieth century astronomers, and explore the mysteries of the universe and beyond!

Links and resources from past workshops

Can eggs only be balanced on the Vernal Equinox?
NO! See this explanation that includes the origin of this myth: http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/misc/egg_spin.html
(submitted by Bill Tillman)

Powerpoint Presentations
These are viewable online only and were created by Gina Barrier.
Part 1: Earth & Moon
Part 2: Planets and more
Part 3: Stars and Light

Phases of the Moon
Many folks (based on the final evaluations) still think that the phases of the moon are caused by the earth's shadow on the moon. This is ONLY the case during a lunar eclipse. The phases are caused by the fact that we only usually see part of the illuminated (by the sun) part of the moon. Visit these links for more information and diagrams:
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/moon_phases.html
http://www.astro.umd.edu/education/astro/moon/phases.html

Noon Day Project
There are several other collaborative projects at this site as well.
The current measurement runs until April 2 so it is not to late to participate this spring!

Adventures of the Agronauts
A 3rd grade curriculum project that investigates growing plants on the moon - a real world problem!

GalaxSee
Model a galaxy and control the shape, size, number of stars and more. This was designed by students at the Shodor Foundation in Durham.

Catawba Valley Astronomy Club
This is Scott's club and has links to lots of the sites he mentioned.

Heavens Above
Get the star maps and satellite information here.

Earth and Sky
another good resource

Astronomy Curriculum Guide
online resources compiled by The Science House and aligned to the NC SCOS

Emails
A couple of people asked for emails for their kids to send thank you's etc. Here are some good ones:

David Haase (Director of The Science House and in charge of the outreach part of the grant)
Don Ellison (the Astronomer who wrote the grant)

If you have any more resources to add email Beth Snoke Harris.