Grade Level(s):  3 - 12

Program Length:  45 minutes

Program Description:
Students will explore objects visible in the spring night skies with the assistance of the Planetarium presenter. We will look at the constellations of Leo the Lion, Coma Berenices, Virgo, Bootes the Guardian, Corona Borealis, and Hercules the Hero. The program will also feature the Moon, meteor showers, and the planets visible in the evening skies.

The presentation will concentrate on the current night skies over Southeastern Michigan, with tips on using stars in one constellation to find other constellations and planets

Program Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Identify the constellations visible during any night of the year;
2. Identify the constellations visible during the spring months;
3. Explain the difference between a star and a planet, and how to discover the nature of each;
4. Explain the nature of the Moon's phases;
5. Explain perceived and actual movement of the Sun, Moon and stars across the sky;
6. Use a star map and a Planisphere to locate planets, bright stars, and constellations visible in the spring sky;
7. Understand the limits of our knowledge of our and other solar systems.

The Detroit Science Center and the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium are dedicated to assisting all educators in building and utilizing curricula based on the above-mention standards and benchmarks. Each of our shows for school groups keeps you and your students needs in mind. For this show, the Standards & Benchmarks addressed include:

Elementary School:
Matter & Energy IV. 1-1
Solar System, Galaxy and Universe V. 4-1,2

Middle School:
Matter & Energy IV. 2-5
Waves & Vibrations IV. 4-4
Solar System, Galaxy & Universe V. 4-2,3

High School:
Matter & Energy IV. 2-5
Waves & Vibrations IV. 4-4
Solar System, Galaxy & Universe V. 4-2,3