We begin by introducing the students to the Milky Way Galaxy.  We describe our Solar System by
discussing relative planet sizes and distances from the sun, presence of the asteroid belt and comets,
and features of the sun. (If time permits, we can discuss phases of the moon, solstices and equinoxes.)

We also focus on approximately nine or ten constellations and major stars found within:

• Big Dipper (Ursa Major),
• Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) and North Star,
• Draco,
• Cassieopeia,
• Cepheus,
• Leo (winter sky),
• Taurus (fall and winter sky),
• Pegasus and Andromeda (summer sky),
• Orion (winter sky). .

Suggested classroom activity before Planetarium presentation: 

• Student could possibly review the stories and myths behind the constellations before using
  the Star Lab Planetarium. If the students have already mastered the constellations above,
  please choose three to five new constellations. Determine the months the constellations are
  present in the night sky and forward this information to Lapeer West Astronomy teacher at least
  two days prior to presentation.
• If you use the Planetarium as a culminating activity, you may prefer to review the phases of the
  moon and solstices and equinoxes with your students. If you use the Planetarium as an
  introductory activity, please inform the presenters so that they can adjust their approach to
  these topics.

Star Lab Planetarium presentation:

Suggested format: One teacher should sign-out and pickup the Planetarium for two days from the Lapeer
County ISD Ed-Tech Center. Half of each class will see the Planetarium presentation on the first day.
The other half of the class will see the Planetarium presentation on the second day. When not viewing the
presentation, the students will be working on additional activities. If you need help developing additional
activities, we can suggest two. The first activity involves making a scale-model showing the relative
distances of the planets within our solar system using tape and meter sticks. The second activity involves
making a device that measures Latitude using the North Star. This device can also be used to measure
the height of tall objects using simple trigonometric functions.

• We begin by showing the Milky Way Galaxy and our Solar System. We will discuss relative planet
  sizes and distances from the sun, presence of the asteroid belt and comets, and features of the sun.
  We can go into greater depth on specific features of our Solar System if you notify the Lapeer West
  Astronomy teacher with enough advance notice.
• We discuss the phases of the moon and have students identify the different phases.
• We discuss the solstices/equinoxes and connect this topic to the path of the sun in the sky and
  location of the sunrise/sunset during the different seasons. This topic is then related to direct/indirect
  rays of the sun during the different seasons of the year.
• We will continue by showing the starfield with constellations identified.
• We will continue by showing the plain starfield and have students try to identify constellations.
• If time permits, we can show the starfield with Indian, Greek, and/or Roman constellations identified.
  We will discuss how different cultures interpret their environment in a variety of ways.
• We are open to new topics. Please share your ideas with the Lapeer West Astronomy teacher at
  your convenience.