The study and construction of sundials is a useful teaching aid at several levels of instruction, since it involves understanding the shape, divisions, and major motions of the earth. (Author/RLV)

The information explosion on the solar system has made old notions about space obsolete. This article offers information about the planets and suggests classroom activities and teacher resources. (DF)

Describes a two-hour physics laboratory experiment modeling the phenomena of eclipsing binary stars developed by the Air Force Academy as part of a week-long laboratory-oriented experience for visiting high school students. (BT)

Proposes an activity whereby science students develop critical thinking skills. Students are to debate the belief that the earth is flat. Guidelines are provided. (MA)

Presents an activity whereby students describe the path of Mars through a background starfield. Includes purpose, materials, pre-lab, and procedure. Also provides guidelines for making a dial-a-planet wheel. (MA)

Describes the organizational framework, didactic and methodological considerations, and the content of a four-day astronomy project in a secondary West German school. Presents information on the media used and related literature. Appended are the instruments of observation. (DB)

The subject of parallax can motivate learning related to measurement of lengths and angles as well as provide an introduction to trigonometric concepts. (SD)

Outlines background, materials, operation, and evaluation of four activities for grades six-nine designed to illustrate how curriculum activities can enhance astronomy concepts and native awareness: "Were Native People Aware of Milky Way Galaxy?,""Constellation Cans,""Travels of the Big Dipper," and "How Did the…

Studying about stellar constellations provides children with an opportunity to learn about ancient myths and mathematics at the same time. An interdisciplinary teaching unit combines information about myths associated with the zodiac signs and instructions for plotting the coordinates of stars. (PP)

Charts, games, role playing, stories, scientific devices and research projects are ways that a teacher helped his fifth graders to learn what to look for and where to look when exploring the sky. (Author/RK)

Describes the construction and use of a star projector built from an overhead projector and high-impact polystyrene plastic. Includes patterns for the star charts and the projector frame. (MA)

Presents two exercises in astronomy: (1) the production of star trails and (2) the measurement of the distance between stars and their apparent movement in the sky. Includes directions, illustrations, and activity questions. (MA)

Presented is an exercise in the ability to navigate by the stars. It applies difficult concepts of positional astronomy concerning coordinate systems and time. Stereographic projection is utilized because it allows rapid completion of calculations and measurements and keeps the concepts clear to the students. (MA)

Activities for teaching about the solar system, the earth's rotation, plants, pendulums, and animal adaptation are described. Included are suggestions for building scale models to illustrate the solar system's proportions and the earth's rotation speed, and for using playground swings to demonstrate pendulum motion. (PP)

Describes a sundial contest used to generate interest and enthusiasm in astronomy class. Presents diagrams of three basic types of sundials, a sundial time correction form, and guidelines for a successful contest. (MA)