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In this lesson, students use a model to investigate why the stars are visible at night but disappear when the Sun comes out during the day. In the activity, Star Projector, students use paper cups to project stars onto a sky picture, and observe what happens to these stars when a flashlight acts as a model of the Sun.
Preview activity| Big Dipper Star Pictures printout | Print 3 copies |
| Sky Sheet printout | Print 15 copies |
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Scissors
|
30 pairs |
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Dot Stickers
We prefer stickers because they are easier to distribute in a classroom.
Tape will also work.
|
Details
30 stickers
|
|
Paper Cups (8 oz)
|
30 cups |
|
Push Pins
|
30 pins |
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LED Flashlights
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30 flashlights |
You will need to do part of this activity in the dark with the lights off and curtains drawn.
We suggest students work in pairs. Homeschool students will need two flashlights and a partner to help with a few steps.
Each printout has 12 Big Dipper pictures. Cut up enough Big Dipper sheets to provide each student with one star picture.
Set up activity stations by posting Sky Sheets on walls that will be dark or dimly lit when you pull the shades and turn out the lights. We recommend that each pair of students works at an activity station. If classroom space is limited, we’ve found that one station can comfortably accommodate up to 8 students taking turns.
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