We focus on 5 or 6 easily identifiable constellations:

• Big Dipper (Ursa Major),

• Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) and North Star,

• Draco,

• Cassieopeia,

• Cepheus,

Suggested classroom activity before Planetarium presentation:

It would be helpful if students could 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.

Star Lab Planetarium presentation:

Suggested format: One teacher should sign-out and pickup the Planetarium from the Lapeer County
ISD Ed-Tech Center. The teacher should announce the coming of the Planetarium to their staff. Next,
display a classroom signup so that all the teachers have the opportunity to visit the planetarium.
Rotate classes in-and-out of Planetarium every 25 minutes. Please fill up one day as much as possible
before opening up a second day. If enough classes sign up, allow your building teachers two days to
choose from. (Please allow a few breaks and lunch time for the presenters.)

• We will begin 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, Roman, and/or Greek 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.