Inflatable Planetarium - Stories in the Sky

In this activity, students will learn how ancient people related to constellations and asterisms, then use their imagination to create a star pattern and accompanying story. The instructor can have students draw their designs on paper or make an inflatable planetarium, in which students will poke out their star constellations.

Inflatable Planetarium

Watch the "DIY Space: Inflatable Planetarium" video tutorial at the top of the page for instructions on assembling the planetarium.

Several facilitators are necessary for this activity if the inflatable planetarium is used (see the job descriptions below). Involve teachers, older students, and parent-volunteers. Note: This activity does not have to include the planetarium; it can consist only of creating the star pattern and writing a short story to accompany it.

Job descriptions for running the planetarium (3 persons total at all times)

• Supervisor: The supervisor will be inside the planetarium to monitor behavior and the total number of people inside, help with hole-punching, and use the flashlight to guide walking and viewing. In case of electrical failure, this person will guide participants out of the planetarium. The dome will remain inflated for several minutes allowing for orderly exit through the normal doors, but the plastic can easily be cut with scissors for an emergency exit. Large cuts will deflate the dome more rapidly.
• Exterior Manager: The exterior manager will help people in and out of the planetarium from the outside.
• Materials Manager: The materials manager will supervise the fan, electricity and general condition of the planetarium (generally from the outside).

Safety Tips

• The supervisor should have a flashlight and a pair of scissors in case an emergency exit is required.
• Interior carpeting improves footing.
• Although the interior volume of the planetarium is large and it does not get very dark inside, teachers should be aware of signs of claustrophobia or unease among students.
• At no time should an open flame be allowed anywhere in or near the outside of the dome

There are about 3,000 stars visible to the naked eye on a clear night in dark skies. Throughout history, people have seen patterns in the stars. They imagined that the patterns looked like familiar objects and created stories to go along with them.These patterns are called asterisms. Some of these asterisms may be familiar to you, such as the Big Dipper.

The International Astronomical Union has identified 88 regions of the sky for naming star patterns called constellations. Other patterns, such as the Big Dipper, are called asterisms. Most constellation names are based on Greco-Roman mythology, though almost all cultures in the world have their own star patterns and stories. Constellations and asterisms can be used for finding directions in the sky as well.

About the Activity

From the very early stages of life, children begin to explore their natural surroundings and through this, engage in basic scientific thinking. The acquisition of language allows them to ask questions about what they observe and experience.

Science investigations are an excellent opportunity to engage students in meaningful reading and writing activities.

Research has shown marked improvement on school district and state writing proficiency exams among students involved in inquiry- and activity-based science with significant writing components. This lesson provides an engaging avenue to practice writing through science.

When all stories have been read, a discussion about themes of the stories can provide additional information. Past experience has shown that human nature tends to cluster stories around three themes:

1. Stories about persons who are friends, famous, familiar or infamous
2. Historical events in students’ lives or community
3. Moral or societal lessons that need to be shared and remembered (e.g. kind behavior toward others is often rewarded with returned kindness)

Assess student learning through questioning. Ask students to:

• Share what a constellation or asterism is.
• Explain how constellations and asterisms were once used.
• Compare and contrast their story with another story in the class.
• Share one thing they learned about another member of the class.