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Overview
In this lesson on constellations, students will first learn about the impact of light pollution on our ability to appreciate the night sky through a PBS News Hour video. They will then engage in a hands-on activity using a virtual robot to create their own unique constellations, fostering creativity and the understanding of stellar patterns.
Essential question
How does light pollution impact our ability to appreciate and understand the beauty of constellations in the night sky?
Subjects
Science, astronomy, design, engineering, math
Grade levels
Grades 6-12
Estimated time
One 60-minute class period
Materials
- Computers with internet access
- Access to VEXcode VR platform (free): https://vr.vex.com/
- Paper
- Graph paper
- Pencil
Introduction
In this lesson, we will embark on an exciting journey into the mesmerizing world of constellations. We will begin by exploring the impact of light pollution through a video, understanding how it affects our ability to appreciate the beauty of stars in the night sky. Then, we will delve into the art of creating constellations using a virtual robot, offering us hands-on experience in crafting our own stellar patterns. Get ready to unleash your creativity and imagination as we dive into the captivating realm of constellations!
Vocabulary
- constellations — Patterns formed by stars in the night sky, often named after mythological characters, animals or objects with cultural and historical significance.
- innovation — The process of creating something new or improving existing ideas through creativity, problem-solving and exploration, exemplified in the creation of unique constellations.
- VEXcode VR Platform — An online tool that allows users to code virtual robots to perform various tasks in simulated environments.
Warm-up activity (10 minutes)
- View PBS News Hour's How light pollution is making it increasingly difficult to see the stars in its entirety. You can also follow along with a transcript here. As participants watch, they should write down the risks of our darkening skies and its causes. Then participants should take 5 minutes to talk with the whole group to discuss the pros and cons of space technology’s effects on our home planet.
- Students can research real constellations and their stories, and then create their own, incorporating math to calculate their designs, thus integrating various disciplines.
Main activity (50 minutes)
Create a constellation
Participants can work individually or team up with a partner to sketch out a simple constellation on graph paper, using the picture below for guidance.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
- Participants will go to www.vexvr.com.
- Participants will click on the “Select Playground” button at the top of the page and then choose the “Grid” playground.
- Participants will direct the VR Robot to recreate one of the constellations using their sketch.
They will follow these guidelines:
- Blocks — Use Drivetrain blocks to code your robot to complete the challenge.
- [Drive for] — drives the robot forward or in reverse for a specified distance
- [Turn for] — turns the robot right or left for a specified distance
- Drawing lines —Use the Pen blocks to create your design
- Add a Move robot pen command to choose the position of the VR Pen. When the pen is down it will draw a line on the grid.
- Add a Set pen color command to change the color of the VR Pen.
Note: For additional assistance go to VEXcode VR – VEX Library
Extension activities
- Participants can watch PBS News Hour's Light Pollution — Where Have All the Stars Gone? and find the low light locations named in the video on a globe or map.
- Participants can discuss the importance of innovative thinking when creating solutions to light pollution. Encourage students to design an invention that would help cities to see the stars.
- Students can research real constellations and their stories, then create their own, incorporating math to calculate their designs, thus integrating various disciplines.
- More invention lessons can be found here.
Standards
English Language Arts
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.6.7: Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.5: Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.
Mathematics
- CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.6.G.A.1: Find the area of right triangles, other triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing into rectangles or decomposing into triangles and other shapes; apply these techniques in the context of solving real-world and mathematical problems.
About the author
Lori Colangelo has over 25 years of experience as an educator and currently serves as an instructor at the Hopewell Area School District in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. Passionate about education, Lori frequently presents at international conferences, mentors new STEM teachers, and develops curriculum for several prominent educational technology companies. In her free time, she loves traveling with her husband and spending time with her family.
Watch Lori Colangelo in this Educator Voice: Creating lifelong learners through robotics and equity
Are you interested in learning more about how you can get involved in invention with your students? Sign up here for PBS News Hour Classroom's Invention Educator Network where teachers from various subjects and grade levels come together to discuss all things invention & innovation. Check out our Invention Education collection, including lessons on robotics.
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