Sponsored by National Grid
Supplies ideas:
Empty clear jar
Small light (led candle or any light that will fit in the jar)
Tape
Paint brush
Tin foil
Length:
10-15 minutes
Academic Subjects:
Science
This lesson supports the following standards:
ESS1.B: Earth and the Solar System – The orbits of Earth around the sun and of the moon around Earth, together with the rotation of Earth about an axis between its North and South poles, cause observable patterns.
Directions for Star Jars:
Today is National Space Day! It is a day to celebrate all that is STEM. The goal of National Space Day is to promote science, technology, engineering, and math to young people and inspire them to follow career paths in STEM. Today we are focusing on space, and in this project we will be creating a Star Jar that will light the night with stars in the comfort of your own home.
1.) Measure your empty jar’s circumference and height. Add a few centimeters to the top and bottom of your measurement and cut the foil.
2.) Next lay your piece of foil on top of a towel or wash cloth. This will help with the next step.
3.) Using the back of a paint brush, poke holes into the tin foil. You can poke as many holes you want. I picked out a few constellations and poked them into the sheets.
4.) Roll the piece of foil over the outside of your jar. The foil can go up to the lid, if it’s a little longer on the bottom, you can fold the foil under.
5.) Place your led candle or small light into your jar. Once it’s dark enough, turn your light on and marvel at the stars!
Vocabulary:
Constellation– a group of stars forming a pattern that is traditionally named after its apparent form or identified with a mythological figure. Celestial- positioned in or relating to the sky, or outer space as observed in astronomy.
Astronomy– the branch of science which deals with celestial objects, space, and the physical universe as a whole.
