Wonders of the Night Sky: Space, Stories, and Stars

Astronomy is often called the oldest science. Many cultures around the world have had deep connections with the night sky since time immemorial, and those connections continue into the present day. 

Guided by a Museum Educator, students will discover celestial stories hidden in plain sight in objects from diverse cultures on display in galleries throughout the museum. They will even have a chance to touch real meteorites – some older than the Earth itself!

In the learning lab, cutting-edge planetarium technology allows us to cast projections of the night sky on the ceiling and walls to turn the entire classroom into a vehicle for space exploration. We will explore the cosmos to illuminate space science, understand the solar system, and further understand the enduring connections between space and cultural knowledge from around the world. 

Students will learn how modern astronomy helps us know the Earth and its inhabitants better, and marvel at the wonders of the galaxy and what we can observe in the night sky.

What makes these lessons unique is that they are taught by trained Museum Educators with diverse areas of specialization, who develop individual lesson plans around set learning goals.

This allows them the flexibility and adaptability to meet student interests and follow where their curiosity leads, respond to class needs and ever-changing conditions in the dynamic environment of a busy museum, and incorporate the latest studies, pedagogies, and technologies. 

We also understand the value of learning from the real thing whenever possible, not relying exclusively on models and copies. Even in gallery lessons, Educators take every opportunity to let your students engage in hands-on learning with something real that has its own history and stories to tell. 

These tested approaches to learning mean that you may never get the same lesson twice, but they will always be engaging, interactive, and memorable.
 

Note to Teachers: During the hands-on labs, students have the opportunity to interact with many objects, some of which are heavy. If a student lifts and drops an object, it may result in injury to themselves, to others, or to the collections. Please ensure students are following safety instructions and handling objects responsibly.