ASTRONOMY FROM THE GROUND UP
Astronomy from the Ground Up (AFGU) provides informal science educators and interpreters with new and innovative ways to communicate astronomy. AFGU is a growing community of more than 950 educators from museums, science centers, nature centers, and parks around the country, who are actively enhancing and expanding their capacity to address astronomy topics for their visitors.
Astronomy from the Ground Up was created in 2005 by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP) in collaboration with the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO) and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). In 2009 the AFGU team began offering astronomy training and materials to park rangers and other outdoor educators and interpreters, thanks to a generous grant from NASA. The new program, Sky Rangers, builds on the success of AFGU and involves collaboration with the National Park Service, the National Association for Interpretation, and NASA Night Sky Network (managed by the ASP).
Sky Rangers Outdoor Astronomy Activities
Moon Activities
Planets Activities
Stars & Galaxies Activities
Night Sky Preservation Activities
How Big? How Far? The Scale of the Universe. Sizing up the Moon
Worlds in Comparison
Pocket Solar System
Exploring the Size of the Solar System1 Meter Sun 3D Constellation
Change in the Universe Patterns & Cycles
Kinesthetic Astronomy Pocket Sun Clock Kitchen Comets
Big Dipper Star Clock
Light & Color
Seeing Through Alien Eyes
Makeing a Solar Projection
Red Hot, Blue Hot: Mapping the Invisible Universe
Secret Messages
Our Magnetic Sun
Our Dynamic Sun
Explore the Sun Cards
Where does the Energy Come From
UV Activities
Magnetic Connections
GLOBE at Night
AFTERSCHOOL UNIVERSE
Afterschool Universe (AU) is an out-of-schooltime astronomy program for K12 students that introduces them to the Universe beyond the Solar System. It’s a fascinating Universe out there — exploding stars! Colliding galaxies! ALL students are intrigued by these topics — but don’t have a chance to explore their interest since the school curriculum does not typically address these topics.
Afterschool Universe (AU) was developed to fill this niche as the K12 school years are a critical time in the development of attitudes about science and career options, especially in girls. By offering astronomy programming in out-of-schooltime, where schedules are less constrained, we hope to engage students in science that already interests them and retain/sustain their engagement in science.
AU explores basic astronomy concepts through engaging handson activities and then takes participants on a journey through the Universe beyond the Solar System. The goal of this program is to excite students about astronomy (and science in general) and have a positive effect on the attitudes of both the program leaders and the participants towards science.
SESSION 1 – Modeling the Universe
SESSION 2 – Cosmic Survey
SESSION 3 – The Astronomers Toolbox: Telescopes
SESSION 4 – Invisible Light
SESSION 5– The Astronomers Toolbox: Spectroscopes
SESSION 6 – Stars and Their Lives
SESSION 7 – Stars and Their Lives (Part II)
SESSION 8 – Our Cosmic Connection to the Elements
SESSION 9 – Galaxies
SESSION 10 – Black Holes
SESSION 11 – Visit from a Scientist (if available)
SESSION 12 – Modeling the Universe: The Sequel