Astronomy for Kids

Astronomy is perhaps the best science for teaching children. They certainly seem to enjoy it the most!

Astronomy-themed learning projects can help teach children not only astronomy but many subjects–reading, writing, math, history, geometry, chemistry, art, photography, etc. We are often told at Wish Upon a Star that receiving their very own ‘Star’ can spark a long term interest in astronomy for many kids. Children are not only learning the fascinating subject of astronomy that has engaged children of all ages for centuries when their interest is peaked–the solar system, the planets, the stars, the nebula, the comets, the galaxies, the spaceships and space marvels, the telescopes–but astronomy can be the coordinating art and science. All that can be sparked by your gift to them of their very own star!

There are many kid’s astronomy websites online and also books that include experimental projects, data research projects, telescope projects (including “make your own telescope”). Astronomy can also teach children how to think and analyze. Writing can be taught via keeping astronomy journals.

Recommended websites for kids online are:

Kids Astronomy
http://www.kidsastronomy.com

StarChild: A Learning Center for Young Astronomers http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/StarChild.html

Other children’s astronomy websites can be easily found via your favorite search engine. Astronomy-oriented toys, “space toys” and science kits are available. Why not spark a interest for your favourite kids in Astronomy by getting them their very own ’star’ from wish-uponastar.co.uk.

As for astronomy software, there are a wide range of astronomy software which can be educational. Some of this software is especially designed for children, such as Sesame Street Ernie’s Adventures in Space and Zoom Astronomy–Enchanted Learning Software. A huge amount of information on Astronomy news can also be found online.

• Astronomy Pioneer At Discovery Museum Connecticut Post

  BRIDGEPORT The man who revolutionized amateur astronomy with a cheap, easytobuild telescope is at the Discovery Museum this week, spreading his infectious love for heavenly objects.

• Astronomy Open Houses Scheduled In Fall The Times Of Northwest Indiana

  VALPARAISO Several fall semester open houses at the Valparaiso University Observatory will offer the public opportunities to learn about and get a closer look at planets, star clusters, nebulae and other celestial objects through VUs computercontrolled telescope.

• Public Invited To View Jupiter From EIU Observatory Journal Gazette TimesCourier

  CHARLESTON The public is invited to view Jupiter, plus hear about local plans for the 2009 International year of Astronomy, at Eastern Illinois Universitys observatory open house at 8:30 p.m. Friday.

• Youth Briefs The Adobe Press

  The Cuesta College Astronomy Research Seminar will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday in Room 607 at the Arroyo Grande High School campus.

• ASTRONOMY Particle Accelerator Promises Great Discoveries The Columbus Dispatch

  In midSeptember, the worlds most powerful particle accelerator is scheduled to start up. Dubbed the Large Hadron Collider, it will create the highestenergy collisions ever produced by man.

• Stuck Pin Delays Shuttles Trek To Launch Pad SPACE.com

  NASA engineers successfully freed a stuck metal pin on the space shuttle Atlantis late Tuesday, but the work delayed plans to roll the spacecraft out to its Florida launch pad this week.