Activities for Studying Heavenly Bodies. Outdoor Education Series. Bulletin No. 247-M.

This teacher guide for the astronomy unit of an outdoor education program consists of a series of performance objectives, intended to provide interesting, hands-on activities, involving interdisciplinary skills, that augment commitments of the mathematics, sciences, and social studies program of the Montgomery County (Maryland) Public Schools. Each activity is arranged sequentially according to the skills involved and outlines specific objectives, procedures, materials required, special considerations, and evaluation techniques. The 12 daytime activities are determining time with a shadow stick, making and using a sundial, finding direction without a compass, using a watch to locate north, measuring angles with fists, measuring and locating sky objects on the azimuth, making a simple astrolabe, measuring objects above the azimuth, using an astrolabe to measure the angle of the sun's rays, determining the "altazimuth" of objects, making a model of our solar system, and constructing and using a spectroscope. The five suggested nighttime astronomy activities are determining cardinal direction, using an astrolabe to measure the altitude of stars, observing apparent movement of stars, photographing star trails, observing meteors, and locating Polaris, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and Cassiopeia. Glossaries of stars, constellations, and terms are included, as is a bibliography. (NEC)