Time (Travel) Flies

 

Have you ever wanted to travel in time? Can you? Find out with these online activities. Tick Tock.

CONNECT:

• Get a start on time travel with NASA at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/time-travel/en/
• What if you could travel in time? Watch the possibilities at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMV4FAyq76I
• See how time changed and time disappeared at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jYe1tYNvG2g

 

CREATE:

• Enjoy time travel adventures at https://www.barracudas.co.uk/blog/time-travel-adventures-fascinating-historical-fun-facts-for-curious-kids
• Try this time travel themed activities: https://www.summercamppro.com/theme-of-the-day-time-travelers/
• Escape time with these back seat activities while traveling: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/kids-activities-and-printables/activities-for-kids/10-travel-time-activities.html

 

CARE:

• For parents: Get some tips on dealing with jet lag time difference at https://littlehavenfamilyclinic.sg/a-pediatricians-guide-on-beating-jet-lag-in-kids/
• Time moves slows in space; see it at https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VZbdMoPZJoM.
• So watch what happens to the human body in space time travel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emAWMdINHKU

 

CONNECT:

Now may be the time for you to think about your future career. You can travel in time by being an astronaut, historian, an archaeologist, an artist, a writer, a filmmaker, a costumer, even a chef. Explore these timeless jobs in the resources here now.

• Thinking historically at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS7QtTcJeUs&t=5s
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/historians.htm
• https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/historical-costume-designer/

 

 

Starry-eyed about Constellations

 

Ever connect the dots? On a clear night you can see groups of stars in the sky.  People have connected the star “dots” to form constellations that represent images. Often these constellations are used to tell stories and share myths. Try these activities and see starry constellations in your eyes.

 

CONNECT:

• Learn about the types of constellations, their names, and how to find them at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sZ15SUeS9w
• Want to know more about the myths and science of constellations? Watch this 2-part crash course: https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/what-is-a-constellation-crash-course-kids
• Watch how different cultures view constellations at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HejyXGQN-wk

 

CREATE:

• Explore NASA’s activities about constellations at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/constellations/
• Try some kid-friendly, hands-on constellation activities at https://www.howweelearn.com/constellation-activities-for-kids/
• Create a constellation telescope by following the directions at https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/53541/constellation-activity-craft/
• AND connect the stars anyway to want to make your own constellations!

 

CARE:

• Get the facts about night vision and eye health at https://www.aao.org/eye-health/anatomy/night-vision
• Connect the family closer by star – and constellation – gazing at https://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/for-families/
• Be inspired by https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/space_days/activities/constellations/ to create a community space day for families.

 

CAREERS:

Do you get starry-eyed thinking about constellations? Do you see the stars in your future? If so, gaze at this constellation of astronomy careers.

• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/astronomy-jobs
• https://aas.org/careers/career-in-astronomy
• https://www.iau.org/public/themes/careers/

Roger That, Rocket!

 

The US anthem includes the phrase “the rockets’ red glare.” We continue to be awed by rockets. Have a blast exploring the world of rockets with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

• Check out these rocket facts at https://www.factsjustforkids.com/technology-facts/rocket-facts-for-kids/
• Watch how rockets work at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yBwWLunlOM
• Rockets are not new; they have been around for more than 2000 years! Discover their history at https://www.space.com/29295-rocket-history.html

 

CREATE:

• Even little ones can do cool rocket activites at https://toddlerapproved.com/2015/05/10-cool-rocket-activities-for-kids.html
• Explore rockets at NASA space place: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/search/Rockets/
• Create your own rocket and other high fliers at https://www.parentmap.com/article/launching-imaginations-diy-action-toy-contraptions

 

CARE:

• Safety goes to a new level in space; find out how to stay healthy in space at https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/space_days/activities/healthInSpace/aboutHealthInSpace.pdf
• rockets are fun to watch but they can be dangerous if you get too clase, so follow this model rocket safety code at https://www.nar.org/safety-information/model-rocket-safety-code/
• Watch this video about rocket safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZ1V1si2mC0

 

CAREERS:

Blast into space with these rocket-based jobs. The sky's the limit!

• https://www.myrocketcareer.com/
• https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/rocketry/careercorner/index.html

 

 

MARvelous MARS

 

For centuries, people have imagined what Mars was like.  The space vehicle Perseverance landed on the planet Mars February 18, 2021. Maybe you will help colonize Mars.  In the meantime, explore Mars in the following activities. May they raise your eyes to the skies.

 

CONNECT:

• NASA is a great launching pad to learn about Mars: https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/all-about-mars/en/
• Do Martians exist? Watch the possibilities at https://www.esa.int/kids/en/Multimedia/Paxi_animations/English/Do_Martians_exist
• See how Mars was viewed in popular culture at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPcRPqvdEog
• Discover how people might colonize Mars at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5D8e71c75U

 

CREATE:

• Explore life on Mars through this variety of activities: https://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/LifeOnMars/
• Ready Jet Go with these games about Mars: https://pbskids.org/learn/readyjetgo/
• Make a paper Mars helicopter by following the directions at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/learn/project/make-a-paper-mars-helicopter/
• Join the Mission to Mars student challenge at https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/edu/mission-to-mars-student-challenge/#education-plan.all.week1

 

CARE:

• How much would you weigh on Mars? Calculate your weight – or any other object – on Mars using this online calculator: http://www.learningaboutelectronics.com/Articles/Weight-on-mars-conversion-calculator.php
• Read about the student-based Mars Metropolis Project at https://www.vivifystem.com/blog/2019/4/30/design-a-colony-on-mars-stem-project. Maybe your school can follow their lead.
• Help scientists imagine Mars by joining the Imagine Mars Project at https://mars.nasa.gov/imagine/leaders/getting_started/The_Imagine_Mars_Project.pdf
• Are you looking for the ultimate project-based STEM challenge? Do you need an engineering or science fair project or summer STEM showcase? Try designing a Mars colony, as detailed at https://www.vivifystem.com/blog/2019/4/30/design-a-colony-on-mars-stem-project

 

CAREERS:

This is a universe of space careers. Explore the opportunities; the sky is NOT the limit.

• https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2016/article/careers-in-space.htm
• https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/careers/index.html
• https://www.space-careers.com/
• https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/07/22/six-space-jobs-you-can-train-for/1638131001/

Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Dr. Spock may have died, but there may be extraterrestrials, creatures from outer space, aliens, space beings, little green men. Humans have wondered about life beyond earth for millenia. It’s time to hunt for alien worlds!

CONNECT:

• Start at Project Family ASTRO for fun activities: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/k12-educators/about-family-astro/
• What’s fact and fiction about extraterrestrial life? Test your knowledge at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/system/interactable/6/index.html
• Trace the history of extra-terrestrial quests at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/system/interactable/2/timeline.html
• Do you like atlases: collections of maps? http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/newworldsatlas is an atlas of over a thousand new worlds.
• See how infrared reveals the universe at http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/infrared_universe
• There are some strange alien-looking creatures here on earth; find them at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/system/interactable/3/index.html

CREATE:

• Wake up, space traveler! You've entered your target solar system. Time to begin your mission: Find and photograph the planet known as Jupiter and see if a habitable planet exists in this sector. Start your mission at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/worlds/life/
• Are there other planets with life? The Exoplanet Data Explorer is an interactive table and plotter for exploring and displaying data. Explore this database at http://exoplanets.org/
• Plan an interstellar trip using http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/system/interactable/5/index.html
• Search for alien life at http://www.alienearths.org/online/searchforlife/index.php
• Create your own planet at http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/system/interactable/1/index.html

CARE:

• Help scientists by classifying data from http://www.planethunters.org/ to discover new worlds.
• Become a member of an astronomy club, or follow them online at  http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm  Bring the universe to you!
• Volunteer to help with Project FIRST, which promotes sports of the mind (which could like to explore alien worlds): http://www.usfirst.org/
• Support the search for life in the universe; become at SETIStar: http://www.seti.org/seti-educators

CAREERS:

What’s it like to have a career hunting for new worlds?

• Follow this scientist’s blog: http://planetquest.jpl.nasa.gov/ave/33.
• Read about these SETI scientists: http://www.seti.org/seti-institute/about-seti/scientists
• You might  even become a UFOlogist: http://www.cufos.org/you_want_to_be_a_ufologist.pdf