How Can We Use the Sky to Navigate?
How Can We Use the Sky to Navigate? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a new curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is aligned to a group of grade 5 standards. It has a focus on earth and space science with a secondary focus on physical science and engineering. In this module, students:
- Develop and use models to support an argument that gravity is directed toward the center of a spherical Earth
- Use evidence of the Sun and stars’ daily pattern of motion to support a claim that Earth rotates on an axis
- Use a model to predict the annual pattern of daylight at the school’s location
- Carry out an investigation to determine which of two solutions is better for measuring the altitude of Polaris
- Engage in argument about the plausibility of sailing long distances without instruments by using evidence that the patterns of the Sun and stars can be used to navigate
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Sailboats at the Horizon
This file shows two images of a sailboat at the horizon, one taken while the photographer was sitting and one while the photographer was standing.
Download the Sailboats at the Horizon PDF
Cargo Ship at the Horizon
This video shows a cargo ship so far away that only part of the ship is visible.
Download the Cargo Ship at the Horizon Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Cargo Ship at the Horizon Video
Download the Cargo Ship at the Horizon Video Transcript
Cargo Ship
This is a close-up image of a cargo ship similar to the one in the Cargo Ship at the Horizon video.
Download the Cargo Ship PDF
Earth Shape Discussion
This file presents a discussion between two friends about Earth’s shape.
Download the Earth Shape Discussion PDF
Hidden Shadows
This video was taken in Hawaii in the month of May when the Sun passed directly overhead. Encourage students to observe the objects and ignore the captions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVG-bPGj4yU
Boston and Santiago Shadows
These two photos show the shadows made by the same upright dowel in Santiago, Chile, and Boston, Massachusetts, at noon on March 21.
Download the Boston and Santiago Shadows PDF
Ball Drop around the World
These videos show people dropping balls from different locations around the world.
Download the video from Antarctica
Download the accessible video from Antarctica
Download video from Antarctica Transcript
Download video from Arizona
Download the accessible video from Arizona
Download video from Arizona transcript
Download video from Australia
Download the accessible video from Australia
Download video from Australia transcript
Download video from England
Download the accessible video from England
Download video from England transcript
Download video from New Zealand
Download the accessible video from New Zealand
Download video from New Zealand transcript
Download video from Singapore
Download the accessible video from Singapore
Download video from Singapore transcript
Download video from Tanzania
Download the accessible video from Tanzania
Download video from Tanzania transcript
Download video from Tokyo
Download the accessible video from Tokyo
Download video from Tokyo transcript
Starry Night
This link is the login for Starry Night®. Use the access code to gain access to the program. The software shows the sky at the selected time, date, and location. If you need support using Starry Night®, call 1-866-688-4175 or email education@simcur.com.
https://login.simulationcurriculum.com/
Street Lights
This photo shows street lights that vary in apparent size because they are located at different relative distances from the photographer.
Download the Street Lights PDF
Earth from Space
This picture of Earth taken from space shows half of Earth lit by the Sun and half of Earth in the dark.
Download the Earth from Space PDF
Solar Position Calendar
This links to a calculator that can be used to determine the altitude of the sun in the sky for a given location, date, and time.
https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/grad/solcalc/azel.html
Earth-Sun Model
This file shows the set-up for the Lesson 8 activity.
Download the Earth-Sun Model PDF
Sunrise and Sunset
This link provides daily sunrise and sunset times for a given location. Convert a p.m. time to a military time by adding 12 hours to it.
https://sunrise-sunset.org/
Latitude and Longitude
This file includes resources to teach students about latitude and longitude.
Download the Latitude and Longitude PDF
LatLong
This video reviews the concepts of latitude and longitude.
https://timeandnavigation.si.edu/multimedia-asset/latitude-and-longitude
Sextant Reading
This file shows students how to use the sextants they will build.
Download the Sextant PDF
Solution Testing
This file shows the distances students will measure to test their solution and questions for students to consider when analyzing their test.
Download the Solution Testing PDF
Pandanus Weaving
This file shows students an example of weaving with construction paper.
Download the Pandanus Weaving PDF
Marquesas Islands and Peru Map
This map shows the relative locations of the Marquesas Islands, Peru, and 10° south latitude.
Download the Marquesas Islands and Peru Map PDF
Sweet Potato Mystery
This file describes recent research about the relationship between sweet potatoes in Polynesia and sweet potatoes in South America.
Download the Sweet Potato Mystery PDF
Drinking Water Problem
This file provides details to consider the problem of providing enough drinking water to crew members sailing from the Marquesas Islands to Peru.
Download the Drinking Water Problem PDF
Kit Tips & Tricks