Rainy Days and Optical Illusions

We were driving to a morning activity yesterday and it actually RAINED! We haven't had a good long rain for a bit, so it was interesting to watch out the windows of the Swaggerwagon!

My 4-year-old asked, "Mom, did the sun go to bed?" Trying to figure out what he is asking . . . he goes to bed at night when it's dark outside. It's dark outside, so the sun must have gone to bed as well. As a society, we also use terms that are most likely misnomers, such as sunrise and sunset. The sun doesn't actually rise and set every day. While the sun moves as part of the larger galaxy movement, WE (the Earth) are actually rotating that gives us the illusion of the sun rising and setting. Talk about the ultimate optical illusion!

Night Skies!

As part of our Handbook of Nature Study nature exploration in August, we studied the night sky. We really enjoy these challenges.

During the recent Perseid meteor shower, we decided to stay up a little later to watch the meteors pass by. My husband and I tried it the night before--it was nice to cuddle with him! So, we decided to take the kids and cousins out to investigate. It's hard to get away from the lights, so try to find places as dark as you can.

A few tips we had:
1. Allow time for your eyes to get used to the dark.
2. Try flashlights or laser pointers to enhance the time outside. A red lensed light helps preserve night vision.
3. A blanket is comfy!
4. Think about insect repellant.
5. A star chart or app is a great addition. I have a couple of glow in the dark charts and even a cool glow in the dark book about the moon.
6. Try binoculars.
7. Feel free to look at other things in the sky, airplanes, satellites, space station, planets, maybe even BATS or moths.
8. Even if you're not an expert on constellation, feel free to make up your own and make connections. Also, knowing a few basics, like the big dipper can be nice!

ETHOS Science Sneak Peek: Space

We checked out ETHOS Science Sneak Peek: Space in Elkhart again this week! ETHOS Science Center has hosted a themed science activity night monthly for the last several months. We've enjoyed the ones we were able to attend: WATER and Summer Science Camps. I also really liked the Astronomy lesson I went to on the Science2Go Bus. If your child goes to school in the area, I highly suggest encouraging your school to schedule the bus for a trip!

ETHOS Science 2 Go:Astronomy

This last week, we had an opportunity to visit the ETHOS Science 2 Go Bus as part of the Junior Indiana Master Naturalists. What a great bus/classroom/exploration! The bus in and of itself is a whole fascinating topic. I especially liked figuring out how they stored, organized, and prepared everything for a seamless learning experience, but that's the teacher geek in me. ;-)

Nurturing Acorns: Sun and Stars

We looked at the sun and stars last week for Nurturing Acorns. We started with drawing pictures of the sun and stars and then stamped the words.

This helped little fingers explore letters, sounds, and words, as they worked on grasping techniques and concepts about the sun and stars.

Later, we made planets that revolve around the sun out of paper plates, construction paper, and brads. Some of the children are still developing cutting abilities, but any practice with scissors is good.

Others cut their projects out just fine! We have a mixed age group, so having activities that might be appropriate for many of the kids is helpful.

We used balloons to keep the "hot sun" up in the sky and then did some astronaut training to build gross motor skills.

The mom who does our snacks found these great space themed goldfish crackers! Cute!

We did some finger painting to make the sun, mixing yellow and red. Using the plastic on top made it  pretty much mess free.

During our open exploration time, we used pattern blocks and magnets to build space rockets and suns.

The sensory bin had locks with keys, air pumps, rakes, funnels, rocks, sand, astronauts, etc.

We also laced constellations . . .

And colored on our space ship. One thing the kids enjoyed most was counting down . . . 3, 2, 1, Blastoff!

Nurturing Acorns--Space!

Nurturing Acorns at Woodlawn Nature Center started a new unit about space. This week we just had an introduction to the topic. We made name rockets as part of our opening letter time.

Outside, we had a little astronaut training, imagining how it's hard for astronauts to move all bundled  up and protected in their space suits, just like walking in boots and winter gear in the snow might be more difficult. We found the sun and also talked about how the stars and planets were still out in the sky, even though we just saw clouds and blue skies today.

We also worked on some astronaut exercise training and talked about many adaptations astronauts make in space, just as we adapt for the winter.

We had Mars Clementine oranges and Lucky Charms cereal with all the space type marshmallows.

The kids loved this new space ship! We'll have another one next week.

The space themed sensory bin proved successful.

The kids were so excited about the other activities the moms were playing with the Galaxy playdough without any kids . . .

they slowly started to explore with some space toys.

How interesting to watch them negotiate and share!

They also made some pretty neat space rockets with Magformers ! We LOVE these at our house. So versatile for all ages.

We didn't even do many planned activities as the children were so engrossed in their play/learning!

Star of Wonder

I took the family to Star of Wonder at Woodlawn Nature Center on Friday night. This star presentation looks at the astronomy associated with a new star rising in the East as part of the tradition of Christmas.

The center was decorated for Christmas and cookies and milk were available. There was a children's table with related coloring activities. While there were children's activities, my children were not as interested in the program. If I only took the older two boys or gave them some type of study guide there might be more interest. The group mentality takes over and all they want to do is wrestle when they're together. I know this is a yearly event, so might prepare them more for the event next year as it is a good way to connect astronomy to our religious and day-to-day lives. It was VERY interesting to me and other adults in the room. The audience came from as far away as Dowagiac, Michigan, as lovers of both astronomy and the holidays.

The director of the center, Fred deFerbrache, based the program on similar presentations at larger astronomy centers in Chicago. The presentation weaves history, astronomy, cultural traditions, scriptural accounts, etc. to show a possible explanation of three wise men and the star they saw.

This was a great addition to our holiday events. It also piqued my interest in astronomy in the area. I wanted to go outside and watch the stars and planets. I enjoy this time of the year, as the stars are out earlier with our shorter days. 

We're rather new to the area, but have enjoyed astronomy in other places at planetariums. Where can we learn about astronomy here? What tips do you have for viewing the stars in the Michiana area?

These are a couple of things I know going on . . . 

Friday, February 8th--Winter Constellations with Elkhart County Parks. 

Notre Dame has a planetarium! There is a show there on January 11th, 2013.

There is also a Michiana Astronomical Society. Click here for more information!