Program Outline by Grade Level

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Preschool

Blast off in a rocket and see the planets! This 45 minute lesson includes a planet tour, planet song, and movement. We will also explore day and night using the planeatarium along with short videos. A special winter-time 'Snowflake' program is also available.

Kindergarten: 

In this 50 Minute Kindergarten program, students will describe observations they make of the sky, and changes that may take place in the sky. We will describe evidence that the Sun gives us light and heat, and we will watch the immersive film "One World, One Sky...Big Bird's Adventure" which compares daytime to nighttime, compares our night sky with the sky elsewhere in the world, and shows simple differences between being on the Earth, and being on the Moon.

 One World, One Sky - Teacher Guide

First Grade:

During this 60-minute program, students will make observations to answer the question "Does the moon always appear to have the same shape?"  "Can we sometimes see the moon during the day?"  "Is the moon always in the same place in our sky"?  "What does it mean to be round?" 

In our first-grade program, we lay the groundwork for students to be successful in learning the grade three Earth and Space Science Standards.  Specifically, we focus on Standard 3.3.3.1.2 - Recognize the pattern of apparent changes in the moon's shape and position.  We also address 3.3.3.2.2 - Recognize that the earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun and that the moon orbits the earth.  Of course, we also ask students to make observations (1.1.1.1.1) as they learn about the moon.

1. Moon Calendar Teacher Guide
2. Moon Calendar template- What does the moon look like each day?
3. The Moon Phase Song   --  A fun song to help you learn the phases of the moon.
4. Moon Phase Wheel activity: Cover, simplified vocabulary, full vocabulary

Second Grade: 

In the 60-minute program, students explore the relationship between the earth, moon, and sun from two perspectives: an "out in space" perspective, as well as a "feet on the ground" perspective.  The program includes both a tour of the solar system, as well as a viewing of the immersive film "Earth, Moon and Sun."  In "Earth, Moon and Sun" students learn right along with "Coyote," an amusing character who has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors.

Earth, Moon and Sun - Teacher Guide

Third Grade: 

In this 90 minute program, students look at evidence regarding the movement of the sun in our sky.  Does the sun really move across our sky each day?  What is a day?  Does the sun always follow the same path?  Where is the sun in our solar system.  This program includes observations in the planetarium, as well as a classroom experience.  In addition, students share their learning through interactive technology.    

Fourth Grade: 

In this 60 minute program students see what's happening in the current night sky.  How can we use the stars to determine our directions?  Which stars can we see tonight?  Any planets out there?  Which phase of the moon are we seeing...and why?  After our observations of the night sky, we take a virtual trip through our solar system....and beyond.

Fifth Grade: 

In this 60 minute program, St. Paul students review the space science benchmarks.  The goal is to better prepare the students for the Grade 5 Science MCA.  Students explore the changes in the shape and position of the moon, the path of the sun, where we are in the solar system and the relationship between distance and size.

Eighth Grade: 

In this 60 minute program, 'Reason for the Seasons' utilizes the planetarium's tools of perspective, time-change and location in an immersive visual to explore why Earth has seasons. A different lesson option includes how gravity and inertia keep most objects in the solar system in regular and predictable motion.  Students will also recognize that gravity exists between any two objects, and be able to describe how mass and distance affect the force of gravity.