Planetary Science Institute

presents

Journey through the Solar System

A Science Education Field Trip for 3rd through 7th Grade Students

and Multiple-Grade Home School Groups

Many California Science Content Standards appropriate for each grade level currently required by the California State Board of Education are met during our 21/2-hour program. Teachers are provided with a detailed list of each standard that is met by cross-reference to the state's publication. Our Field Trip program fulfills many items in the following Science Content Standards categories:

Our program is unique in many ways and we have received extremely positive feedback from science educators since the field trips were first offered in 1992. We provide a full-color Student Workbook for each student to use and keep for future reference. This learning tool is particularly effective since the students write the answers as they learn during the program. They gain knowledge of the Sun, Moon, and Planets as well as Gases on Earth and Change of State. Teachers receive a full-color Teacher Answer Workbook in addition to other useful information and are encouraged to use the material in the classroom setting.

One of the favorites of both students and teachers alike is the "Hands-On" Activities portion of the program, which lasts about an hour. Students are placed in small groups and rotate from one activity station to another, learning about the phases of the moon, finding the planets in the solar system, electricity and magnetism, light waves, sound waves, telescopes, focal points, line and light spectra, primary colors of light, views of the Solar System in 3-D, and other valuable lessons. Parents or other adult volunteers are requested to participate in supervision of the students (preferably 1 adult for 6 students) during the "Hands-On" segment and are welcome at no cost for the entire program.

Exciting and fun demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen and dry ice are used to help understand how materials act on cold solar system bodies and to introduce basic principles of chemistry and physics. The field trip is held by reservation in Laguna Niguel on Tuesday or Thursday beginning at 9:30 a.m. and lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours. The cost is $5 per student with a daily group minimum of $250 (which covers the cost of the first 50 students in attendance). This fee primarily covers the cost of materials for science demonstrations, workbooks, and facility rental. The field trip program schedule for the school year often fills early, so please contact us soon to make a reservation at (949) 495-4949. Also, please visit our website or email us at educator@psi.edu for more details on our program and the Institute.

The Planetary Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that carries out planetary science research, education, and conferences with funding from program fees, grants, and private contributions. Your contributions are tax-deductible and every dollar makes a positive impact on our ability to continue to provide this field trip. Retired teachers, and others who are interested, are encouraged to apply for our volunteer positions.

Thank you for your support!

(949) 495-4949

30111 Niguel Road, Suite L, Laguna Niguel, California 92677


Journey through the Solar System

Quick Reference to California Science Content Standards

Teachers are provided with a complete and detailed list of each Science Content Standard that is met by cross-reference to the state's publication for their grade level in the following categories: Physical Sciences, Earth Science, Heat (Thermal Energy Physical Science), Energy in the Earth System, and Investigation and Experimentation. Quick reference overview by grade level:

Sample "Hands-On" Activity

Students and teachers receive a full-color ten-page workbook for use during the field trip program and back in the classroom. Here is one example of the many "Hands-On" Activities that the students will be experiencing:


Activity #10: Rainbow Glasses

The special "rainbow" glasses have thousands of closely spaced lines, which spread out colors (different wavelengths). Hold the glasses to your eyes and look first at the white light. You will see all visible colors, which is a continuous spectrum. Next, look at each of the thin vertical tubes, one at a time as the adult changes them, and you will see line spectra. The three gases you will see are helium, mercury, and neon. Compare what you see with the various spectra on the separate display page. Every element produces its own different spectrum just like fingerprints for people. Most of the time spent at large telescopes is in observation of the spectra of planets, stars, and galaxies that tell astronomers the age, temperature, velocity, and other information about the universe and objects in it. For example, changes in the velocity of a star may indicate that it has a planet. Lastly, return the glasses to the adult and look through a black plastic spectrometer up towards the ceiling lights to see other spectra.

To reserve a field trip, call the Planetary Science Institute

(949) 495-4949

30111 Niguel Road, Suite L, Laguna Niguel, California 92677

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