Monthly Archives: November 2021
Special Black Friday discount for my Outschool Classes
From now to November 30th, I’m offering a $5 discount for my outschool classes with the coupon code: HTHESGXQOZ5. Get started at https://outschool.com/classes/a-child-astronomers-christmas-bhmPRpND?usid=MaRDyJ13&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link and enter the coupon code at checkout.
Teaser Trailer: A Child Astronomer’s Christmas!
I’m excited to announce that I’m making a new holiday-themed interactive online astronomy class just in time for Christmas! The course will cover heavenly objects like comets, shooting stars, and meteors, and conclude with a magical message from Santa! Kids will laugh and learn and wonder about the science behind this most magical time of year!
Click here to register: https://outschool.com/classes/a-child-astronomers-christmas-bhmPRpND#usMaRDyJ13
Brand New Children’s Astronomy Course
I’ve just been approved by the good people at Outschool.com to teach a Christmas-themed astronomy class for children. It’s all online and it teaches kids aged 6-11 about comets, meteors, and other celestial objects while at the same time it’s a chance for kids to send a message to Santa from the comfort of their own homes!
Class Description
The children will learn about space, and Christmas, in the context of using astronomy to find Santa in the night sky. We will start by "tracking" Santa using a telescope and the NORAD Santa Tracker. Once we mark his location on a map, the kids will watch a video about other sky objects like comets, meteors, and supernovas. When the video ends, we will do a short science experiment where I will show the kids how to build fake snow using simple ingredients they have right at home. I will then point out and teach the kinds how to identify heavenly objects they can see right from their own backyard. The class will conclude with each learner receiving a special letter from Santa, and some downloadable handouts full of games, experiments, and a list of holiday books! I will be performing in character as a bumbling scientist and will engage the kids through interactive games, engaging questions, and some corny jokes to get them to laugh and learn, while also being entertained as we learn about space and Christmas together.
If you want to sign up, go to this link: https://outschool.com/classes/a-child-astronomers-christmas-bhmPRpND?sectionUid=57a3e3f1-44ba-4283-9245-b14822704617&usid=MaRDyJ13&signup=true&utm_campaign=share_activity_link
Classes this week are on December 23 and 24rth at 1PM, and will continue throughout December. Hope to see you there!
Adorable Astronomy Mobile from TV’s Bluey!
My kids and I have fallen in love with the adorable Australian family show Bluey, which is quickly becoming an international sensation. So imagine my joy when I saw this clip that teaches young children about the solar system!
Then imagine my absolute delight when I found out that the official Bluey website has a solar system Mobile activity that you and your children can download and put together! This is a charming and educational activity that will help you bring a love and curiosity for space to your little Heelers!
https://www.bluey.tv/make/make-a-bluey-sleepytime-solar-system-mobile/
23 Star Crafts For Kids
https://kidadl.com/articles/star-crafts-for-preschoolers
The holidays are a great time to do crafts with family, and I personally love to combine my love of astronomy with my love of crafts, so I was thrilled to find this website that lists not one, not 10, but 23 crafts related to stars that you can make at home!
If you make any of these crafts, leave a comment below. I certainly plan to, and I will post the results!
Happy holidays!
New Online Classes on Outschool.com
I’m now teaching fully online classes on the platform Outschool.com. Right now I have one available, and am working on another one. Please take a look at the trailer for my Stars and Constellations course, and let me know what you think!
Stars and Constellations for Kids
A Child Astronomer’s Christmas!
I came up with the idea for this class when I was working at Primland at Christmas of 2014. We were looking through the telescope on Christmas Eve, and a little girl asked, ” Can you see Santa with the telescope?” I thought to myself, “Can I create a course where kids can learn about Christmas and astronomy at the same time, and maybe even find Santa too?” Well, that’s what I’m attempting to do with this course! I’ll teach kids about how closely Christams is related to the stars with the following exciting topics!
- What is the Summer Solstice, and how is it related to Christmas?
- How fast could Santa go to deliver presents in one night?
- Was the Star of Bethlehem a comet? A Supernova? A Meteor? A Planet?
- How does a telescope work, and how could you find one fast enough to spot Santa?
I plan to answer all these questions and more, while at the same time, get the kids the chance to see Santa through a telescope in the comfort of their own homes! In the end, every student will get a personalized letter from Santa, a packet of Christmas activities, and a digital badge for taking the course. Hopefully, I can get the class ready by November 15th, and start offering it from November to December. If you’re interested in this or other astronomy courses, visit my teacher page on http://www.outschool.com.
Memoirs Of An Astro-Nut 