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Project
ARIES brings the excitement of discovery-based science
to elementary and middle school students, using themes from astronomy
as the central focus. Students use innovative, simple, and affordable
materials to carry out a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities.
Each module encourages students to learn and master a limited number of
powerful scientific concepts. Eight self-contained modules present key
areas of physical science deemed essential in all the new science standards.
-
Exploring
the Earth in Motion:
Daylight, Sun, and Shadow Patterns
Children investigate shadows, the changing relationship between the
Earth and the Sun, the daily path of the Sun, and the spin of the
Earth. Grades 3-6
-
Exploring
the Moon and Stars:
Cycles, Phases, and Patterns
Children investigate the reason for seasons, the Earth's Moon, and
the night sky. Grades 5-8
-
Exploring
Waves:
Water, Vibrations, and Sound
Children observe waves and wave motion, build ripple tanks to explore
water waves, and make and play their own musical instruments to investigate
sound. Grades 5-8
-
Exploring
Energy:
Waterwheels, Windmills,
and Sunlight
Children investigate three natural energy sourcesÐflowing water, wind,
and sunlightÐand construct devices to harness these sources of energy.
Grades 3-6
-
Exploring
Light and Color:
Filters, Lenses, and Color
Children investigate characteristics of light. They examine light
and vision, color filters, reflections, and lenses. Grades 3-6
-
Exploring
Navigation:
Location, Direction, and Latitude
Children explore map-making and map-reading, make and use compasses,
and determine the local latitude from Sun readings. Grades 5-8
-
Exploring
Time:
Sundials, Waterclocks, and Pendulums
Children explore the concepts of time and timekeeping. They study
time from historical and cultural perspectives, investigate ways to
use regular patterns in nature to track time, and build timekeeping
devices. Grades 3-6
- Exploring
Motion and Forces:
Friction, Velocity, and Acceleration
Children build devices, including an air puck, a ball-and-track system,
and both gravity and propeller-driven carts. They use time and distance
measurements to describe linear motion and then represent their findings
graphically. Grades 5-8
Each
ARIES module is comprised of a Teacher Resource Binder, Student Science
Journals, and specialized classroom materials. The Teacher Resource Binder
includes:
- Detailed
lesson plans for all explorations
- Historical
and science background notes
- Teaching
strategies
- Intercurricular
extensions
- References
for additional resources
- Assessment
measures and suggested scoring strategies
The modules are available from Charlesbridge
Publishing Company.
The
Astronomy
Village™ program includes:
- Comprehensive
teachers' guide
- CD-ROM
with resources and tools for students
- Activity
guide
Astronomy
Village™ is available at minimal cost from
NASA Classroom of
the Future.
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