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/

Fooling Around With Optical Illusions

Things are not always what they appear to be. Whether it’s a mirage on the pavement or a movie “trick,” your eyes can fool you! Get a clear picture about optical illusions by exploring the following activities.

CONNECT:

• Here’s the background about optical illusions: https://kidskonnect.com/fun/optical-illusions/
• Find out how optical illusions occur, and try looking at illusions to see how tricky it can be for your brain to interpret images at https://www.optics4kids.org/illusions
• See how the brain gets fooled by optical illusions at http://fatherly.com/play/activities/best-optical-illusions-teach-kids/

CREATE:

• Make your own optical illusions following the directions at https://www.artistshelpingchildren.org/optical-illusions-eye-tricks-crafts.htmlhttps://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• You can change a color by changing its background by doing this colorful experiment: https://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/color-contrast
• Check out these different kinds of optical illusions: https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/riddles/illusions/index.htm  and https://designpress.com/inspiration/optical-illusions-for-kids/ and http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

CARE:

• Can optical illusions damage your eyes? Explore the issues at https://www.ameritasinsight.com/wellness/vision/can-optical-illusions-damage-your-eyes
• Driving can encounter optical illusions such as mirages and motion-induced blindness. Discover how to address these possible dangers at https://usinsuranceagents.com/car-driving-safety-optics/
• On the other hand, Iceland is improving road safety through optical illusions: https://www.guajardomarks.com/2018/08/30/road-safety-optical-illusions/

CAREERS:

Optical illusions can lead to a clear career, such as physicists, artists, film makers,

https://www.optics4kids.org/careers eye doctors. No fooling!

https://careertrend.com/info-8190042-kinds-jobs-there-optical-field.html

https://www.visiononline.org/blog-article.cfm/A-Career-in-Optics/39

https://www.aip.org/jobs/profiles/optics-and-lasers-careers

https://learn.org/articles/Careers_in_Special_Effects_Your_Questions_Answered.html

Photo Phun

It's easier than ever to take photos, but how much do you really know about them? Phind out here...

CONNECT: 

• Get illuminated about the history of photography from camera obscura to camera phone by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaGUL8B-BrE 
• How does your eye look like a camera looks? Which this video's explanation at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGqAM2Mykng 
• How are photos developed from negatives? Watch this video to reveal the commercial process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiLjznwYG1E 
• How can a telescope take photos? See the prize-winning Hubble Heritage program at http://heritage.stsci.edu 

CREATE: 

• Make your own pinhole camera by following these visual directions: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-To-Make-A-Pinhole-Camera/ 
• If a picture is worth a 1000 words, imagine how much your photo can say! Explore these great photo crafts and activities for kids:  https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/crafts/other-arts-crafts/photo-crafts-and-activities.htm 
• Your pets deserve a perfect picture, so try these photo tips to show off your pet pal: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/photo-tips-pet-photography/ 
• These apps will turn your phone into the perfect hub for your kids to capture and crop amazing photos: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/photography-apps-for-kids-and-teens# 

CARE: 

• How do photos fool you? See how it's done at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_LaK4ilshg 
• Do you have a digital camera: Here are simple tips to keep it in good shape: https://www.lightstalking.com/7-simple-maintenance-and-care-tips-to-keep-your-digital-camera-in-great-shape/ 
• Cameras can be useful in emergencies; here are 50 ways: https://www.lifewire.com/emergency-uses-for-your-camera-phone-493069 
• You should know the laws about photographing children: https://www.lawyers.com/legal-info/personal-injury/types-of-personal-injury-claims/child-photography-or-videotaping-consent-laws-are-changing.html 

CAREERS: 

Take an eyeful of these photography-related careers: 

Dive into an ocean photographer's world at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bbX13SfsBw 

Different kinds of photographers: https://www.thebalance.com/photographer-525676 

Just the facts: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/photographers.htm

Color Our World

It’s a colorful world! But how often do think about color? How is it made? What can we do with it? The following websites help you experience color from many different angles.

CONNECT:

If you mix primary colors, do you get black or white? YES! Find out why that happens by looking at http://www.omsi.edu/tech/colormix.php

How do other animals see color around them? Look through their eyes at http://www.colormatters.com/color-matters-for-kids/how-animals-see-color. This website also explains the anatomy of vision and color – as well as other color matters.

How are crayons made? Watch a couple of fun videos about their production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMU-wXsgyR8 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5f7NuGkhX0

What is a rainbow? How are they made? Find the answers and more at http://eo.ucar.edu/rainbows/

Is the Milky Way really white? You might be surprised with the real answer: http://news.discovery.com/space/milky-way-colors-120111.htm

The French artist Matisse is known for his colorful painting. This website explains Matisse to children: http://www.artbma.org/flash/F_conekids.swf

Does white always mean purity? Does red almost mean anger? Colors symbolize different things in different cultures. See examples at: http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/middle/color2.htm. This website has several other activities about color.

CREATE:

Try you hand at experimenting with color: http://www.crayola.com/for-educators/resources-landing/articles/color-experiments.aspx and http://www.projects-for-kids.com/science-projects/primary-colors.php

How about rainbows? Try activities from this sampler: http://www.sciencecompanion.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/RainbowColor-and-Light-Digital-Sampler.pdf

Why do leaves change color? Find out at http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html. This website also gives you directions for you to separate colors in a leaf yourself.

Explore this artist’s toolkit on color: http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit/explore.cfm

CARE:

By coloring, you can learn about the U. S. Forest Service, and how it helps save plants for everyone to enjoy: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/kids/coloring/

Has your family created some great art? How to you take care of it? This website gives useful advice: http://www.bcagalleries.com/support.asp?section_ID=130&parent=130

You can recycle old crayons into “new” ones by following the directions at http://frugalliving.about.com/od/frugalfun/ht/Make_Crayons.htm

When did girls start wearing pink? The Smithsonian explains that history at http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/When-Did-Girls-Start-Wearing-Pink.html. Think about how families assign different things and actions to girls and boys. Should we be mixing things up a bit more – like colors?

CAREERS:

Color affects us in so many ways. Brainstorm all the careers that involve color. Your list might include artists, decorators, publishers, advertisers, eye doctors (e.g., ophthalmologists and optometrists), chemists, physicists, psychologists, anthropologists, manufacturers, even chefs.

Here’s an interview with a color specialist: http://www.jobshadow.com/interview-with-a-color-expert/

Want a cutting edge color-related job? How about polymer and color chemist? http://www.ncsu.edu/majors-careers/do_with_major_in/showmajor.php?id=94

If you’re interested in visual arts, this website has links to hundreds of careers: http://www.khake.com/page42.html