Get Outside!

Astronomy

Class Description

During the Astronomy evening activity, students will have the opportunity to observe the night sky using an 8 inch Celestron telescope, binoculars, and the naked eye. A Wolf Ridge instructor will guide the student's viewing, using star charts and constellations to locate objects. There are three stations where students can experience and observe astronomical delights on the observation platform located behind the Science Center.

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Astronomy evening activity students will be able to:

  • Be able to identify the 5 circumpolar constellations and the north star.
  • Describe the basic principle of telescope optics.
  • Value the beauty of the night sky relatively undimmed by artificial light.
  • Give an example of a constellation myth.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

Wolf Ridge has aligned the Center's entire curriculum to Minnesota Department of Education Academic Standards. As the primary student audience at Wolf Ridge is from 4th-12th grade, the matrices address these grade levels. Teachers may request that their students focus upon a specific benchmark while attending Wolf Ridge. The Wolf Ridge Curriculum Standards Matrix addresses benchmarks in

  • Science
  • Math
  • History and Social Science
  • Language Arts
  • Arts

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

  • The sun is the primary source of energy for life on earth.
  • The natural environment has many obvious and subtle impacts upon human history and culture.
  • Everything in nature has intrinsic value, which may be beyond our understanding.
  • See entire Wolf Ridge Curriculum Framework


 


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Time
1 hour outdoors
(will be cancelled if
cloudy)

Audience
4th grade - adult

Activity level
easy

Travel
none

Total uphill travel
none