Moon

Is the moon made of green cheese? Is there a man on the moon? Join a moonstruck cat and his firefly pal in their adventure to discover how the moon interacts with the sun, how it appears to change in our sky, and how it shines. Find out about mans’ first trip to the moon and what they found there. Learn about moon craters, moon dust, and moon bouncing.

Like the other Jump Into Science™ books, Moon creatively presents carefully leveled scientific information in a picturebook format with fun characters to help readers understand the more challenging information.

Written by Steve Tomecek, illustrated by Liisa Chauncy Guida for the Jump into Science™ series from National Geographic.

• LT-82: Moon 32 pp. $16.95
  Autographed by the author!

Without the sun, there'd be no sunburn, no blazing hot summer days, and no need for sunglasses. There would also be no life on Earth.

What's the science behind our wonderful, life-giving sun? What is it made of? How hot is it? How big is it? How does Earth move around it? Why do we need the sun to live?

These questions and more are answered as two kids and a lavender cat show you the science and the story behind our remarkable sun. Ages 4 to 8.

Written by Steve Tomecek, illustrated by Carla Golembe for the Jump into Science™ series from National Geographic.

• LT-81: Sun 32 pp. $16.95
  Autographed by the author!

When you wish upon a distant star, do you wonder what stars are? Those tiny, twinkling lights are really giant balls of gas, just like our sun. Follow a boy and his bike-riding dog on a star-studded scientific journey to find out: Where do stars go in the daytime? How far away are stars? What stories can they tell us?

Watch the stars come to life in brilliant color, from red to blue to yellow to white. Marvel at the mythic stories of the constellations and try finding your own patterns in the sky. Then think behond our sun and wonder what other planets might be circling other stars and what, or who might be on them. Ages 4 to 8.

Written by Steve Tomecek, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa for the Jump into Science™ series from National Geographic.

• LT-80: Stars 32 pp. $16.95
  Autographed by the author!

This book provides astronomy teachers of all levels with encouragement in the art of teaching and support for trying new approaches. In putting together this valuable book, Stephen Pompea sought to inspire astronomy teachers to include more playful ideas in their repertoires, making the fascinating subject of astronomy more captiviating for students and teachers.

Highlights include:

• Articles from more than 60 professors
• Topics such as optics, cooperative learning, and testing
• Sections on public outreach, research, pedagogy, and the national science education standards have been added
• References to intriquing astronomy-related web sites
• Guidance on the incorporation of planetariums, museums, observatories, and science centers into your course.

Written by Stephen M. Pompea, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona.

• LT-85 Great Ideas for Teaching Astronomy 244 pp. $25.95

Skyways — Astronoomy Handbook for Teachers

This publication of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is ideal for teachers, youth groups leaders, and anyone interested in hands-on astronomy education. The spiral-bound book includes hands-on, interactive activities geared to the upper elementary and middle school levels that were pre-tested by teachers. Topics include seasons, moon phases and tides, the Sun, the solar system, stars, constellations, galaxies, distance determination, the universe, telescopes and more. For astronomers in Canada, the activities are Canadian curriculum-specific. Skyways also includes conceptual background, teacher information, student worksheets and resource lists.

• LT-86 Skyways 114 pp. $24.95

Written for the beginner, A Walk through the Heavens by Milton D. Heifetz and Wil Tirion, takes the reader on a journey through the constellations starting with the brightest stars in the sky and moving on to the dimmer stars. This friendly book not only points out the constellations but enables the reader to see the relationships among constellations. With simple star maps to orient the reader, the book begins with a section on measuring distances in the sky, star brightness and life in the heavens. From there, the walk begins moving from constellation to constellation using beautifully detailed illustrations. Ancient myths and legends of the sky and a constellation index are also included. No equipment is needed to use this practical guide apart from normal sight and clear skies.

• LT-60: A Walk through the Heavens 80pp. $12.00

An insightful, accessible and beautifully illustrated volume by Milton D. Heifetz and Wil Tirion (formatted like its predecessor) for stargazers in the southern hemisphere.

• LT-65: A Walk through the Southern Sky 96pp. $16.00

Invisible Universe: The Electromagnetic Spectrum from Radio Waves to Gamma Rays. GEMS Teacher's Guide for Grades 6-8

Students unveil our dynamic relationship with the Sun through a space-weather mystery, a mock mission from Earth's atmosphere to outer space, ultraviolet experiments, and more. This NASA-inspired unit focuses on the impact of electromagnetic energy and solar particles on Earth. CD-ROM included. For grades 6-8.

• LT-37: Invisible Universe 118 pp. $21.00

Students unveil our dynamic relationship with the Sun through a space-weather mystery, a mock mission from Earth's atmosphere to outer space, ultraviolet experiments, and more. This NASA-inspired unit focuses on the impact of electromagnetic energy and solar particles on Earth. CD-ROM included. For grades 6-8.

• LT-36: Living with a Star 172 pp. plus CD $28.00

Students arrive at a clear understanding of seasons as they investigate the connections between the Sun and Earth. They gain important standards-based science and math content and develop scientific investigation skills. Includes a CD-ROM. For grades 6-8.

• LT-35: The Real Reasons for Seasons 140 pp. plus CD $25.50

Students investigate light and color using diffraction gratings and color filters (available separately). A background section plus concise information on color, light, and how the eye and brain sense and comprehend color is included. The front cover contains a secret message! Grades 5-9.

• LT-30: Color Analyzers 80pp. $21.00
• PS-08C: DIffraction Grating (5" x 5") with Filters $8.25

In this unit of 4 activities, students use two lenses to create optical instruments and find out how lenses are used in magnifiers, simple cameras, telescopes, and slide projectors. Focusing on physics, optics, and light, it is a great companion to Color Analyzers. A background section is included. Grades 6-9.

• LT-31: More Than Magnifiers (book) 68pp. $10.50
  (Lenses are available from Carolina Biological Supply.)

Students study the Earth, gravity, and astronomy, focusing on the shape of the Earth and gravity; moon phases and eclipses; and the stars. Six activities include observing and recording changes in the sky and creating models to explain observations. A challenging questionnaire can be used as a pre- and post-test assessment tool. This interdisciplinary unit also explores world cultures through myths about the rising and setting of the sun. Grades 5-9.

• LT-32: Earth, Moon, and Stars 100pp. $16.00

In this unit, students recreate Galileo’s historic telescopic observations of Jupiter’s moons. Students learn how craters are formed; make scale models; and see Jupiter as viewed by the Voyager spacecraft. Students also work in teams to create a settlement on one of the moons of Jupiter. Background information and a box of 23 color slides is provided.

• LT-33: Moons of Jupiter 12pp. $18.00
  (A box of 23 color slides is available from Carolina Biological Supply.)

In four sessions, students investigate and analyze the properties of the strange green substance, Oobleck, said to come from another planet. Includes a large poster illustrating the Mars Viking mission. The Oobleck unit provides students with authentic insight into the real work of scientists. For grades 4-8.

• LT-34: Oobleck 40pp. $10.50

In this set of resources designed for science classes, students are encouraged to explore life on Earth and the possible existence of life beyond our solar system. These resources can be used individually or in series to create a comprehensive, thematic, scientific exploration.

Students explore various means of detecting life in the atmosphere and soils of Earth, Venus and Mars. Grades 7-8.

• LT-23: This classroom kit includes: Book (288pp.), 6 sets of Powers of 10 Cards, videotape (approx. 30 minutes), and a 24” x 36” full-color poster $90.00

Project Haystack investigates questions being asked today by scientists attempting to determine our place in the cosmos . . . is there intelligent life out there? Grades 8-9.

• LT-25: This classroom kit includes: Book (264pp.), videotape (approx. 30 minutes), and a 24? x 36? full-color poster $57.95

After exploring the evolution of our solar system, students simulate the possible evolution of a planetary system beyond our own. Grades 5-6.

• LT-20: 225pp. $36.95

Students explore the evolution of life on Earth and search for clues to the possible evolution of life on an unknown planet beyond our solar system. Synthesizing what they learn, students “create” life-forms that could exist there. For grades 5-6.

• LT-21: 270pp. $28.95

Students examine concepts of intelligence, culture, technology, and communication and then simulate a complex culture for an intelligent organism that could exist on an unknown planet. Grades 5-6.

• LT-22: 250pp. $26.95

Planetarium Activities for Student Success (PASS), a 13-volume set.

Developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley. If you have access to a planetarium for teaching about astronomy, space science, and other subjects, this series of books is for you. Designed for both experienced planetarium professionals and teachers who will be using a planetarium for the first time, these volumes provide a wealth of field-tested strategies for presenting entertaining and educationally effective programs for students.

SL-720: PASS Complete Set (13 volumes) $150.00

• Each single volume $12.50

Download a pdf with descriptions of each title in the series.

Click "Add to Cart" button at left to order the PASS complete set or any individual volume.

Astronomy and More is a collection of tried and true curriculum ideas from top STARLAB users who have created exciting and interactive activities for kindergarten through grade 12 as well as specific curricula for each STARLAB projection cylinder.

SL-703: Astronomy and More:

• 1 to 2 copies each $95.00
• 3 to 5 copies each $85.00
• 6 or more copies each $75.00

Download a pdf with a complete description of the notebook.