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| Welcome |
| The NWT Astronomy Toolkit is designed to connect teachers in the Northwest Territories with national space science resources while providing enhanced access to northern and national partners. This initiative was developed by volunteers at Astronomy North, in association with the Government of the Northwest Territories. |
| Curriculum Overview |
| K-6: Introduction to Earth and Space Systems |
The Northwest Territories follows the Alberta science curriculum for Grades K-6. The Earth and Space Systems strand features the following topics:
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• Dinosaurs (Kindergarten);
• Daily and Seasonal Cycles (Grade 1);
• Air and Water in the Environment (Grade 2);
• Soils in the Environment (Grade 3);
• Rocks Minerals and Erosion (Grade 4);
• Weather (Grade 5);
• Space (Grade 6). |
Grade 6 students engage in learning that enables them to learn about objects in the sky, particularly their form, movements, and interactions. Students explore the relative size, position and motion of bodies and discover how technology has enhanced our understanding of space and the interactions of heavenly bodies. To explore the Earth and Space Systems strand further, an online version is available here.
To expand on the Northwest Territories space science curriculum, additional resources are available that align with the Pan Canadian Science Protocol as defined by the Council for Ministers of Education: |
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Canadian Space Agency
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• Modules specifically aimed at Grade 6
• Modules and Resources for Kindergarten and Elementary
• Modules and Resources for High School
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Canadian Astronomical Society
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• Independant learning through the Canadian Junior Astronomy Program
• Canadian Astronomy Curricula by Province
• Resources on the History of Canadian Astronomy |
| Tips and Tools |
Tips For Teaching Space Science in the North
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Whether you are a new teacher in Yellowknife or a veteran educator in Tuktoyaktuk, introducing young people to the sky can be a challenge, primarily because the northern sky is very different than the sky we read about in our southern based textbooks. In the North we observe dramatic seasonal, atmospheric and celestial variations that are the result of our close proximity to the North Pole and Magnetic North Pole on Earth. Explaining how and why our view of the Sun, moon, stars and aurora is different is essential for young people in the North to gain a true understanding of their sky. Unfortunately, there is limited information available to explain the nature and culture of the northern sky to new teachers.
As one of the key educational objectives for 2009, Astronomy North is committed to working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to change this paradigm one community at a time. We are now developing the NWT Astronomy SkyGuide for Teachers, a handbook that will include both modern and traditional perspectives of the northern sky. Watch for this new guide in the fall of 2009.
In the meantime, here are a few simple ways for you to enhance the learning experience for students in your community: |
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• Find time to learn about the sky above your community by asking veteran teachers and local elders about the constellations, aurora, seasons, Sun and Moon. Work with community leaders to share traditional knowledge of the local sky with your students.
• Try using local references whenever possible.
"If the Sun was a basketball on the doorsteps of the Town Hall, the Earth would be a grape on the table near Jimmy's house on the other side of the community." This technique makes science fun and adds familiarity to cosmically enormous concepts.
• Ask students to tell their own experiences, and invite them to describe when, where, and in what direction were they looking when they had their experience. If the student doesn't know what he/she witnessed, play a new investigation game with the whole class that recognizes the time, location and directional clues given. With a little help from the Internet, see if you can help the students idenify the mystery object.
• Find a selection of skywatching websites that may be of interest to your students. These websites will serve as a resource for students who are interested in exploring the sky after school.
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Classroom Tools
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There are many educational products and resources available that can be customized to your community. These tools provide teachers and students new perspectives that will enhance any space science learning experience exponentially. Here are just a few popular astronomy tools to explore: |
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Interactive Astronomy Software
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• Starry Night astronomy software for educators
• The Sky astronomy software
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Open Source Planetarium Software
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• Celestia free downloadable planetarium
• Stellarium free downloadable planetarium
• Neave flash planetarium website
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Other Educational Tools
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• Clever Catch Astronomy Ball
• Canadian Space Agency Star Finder
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Teacher Support
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| Got A Question About the Northern Sky? Astronomy North Can Help! |
Astronomy North is a volunteer organization committed to northern astronomy education and awareness. If you have a question about the sky above your community, or would like more information about how to enhance the learning experience in your classroom, send us an e-mail today!
Astronomy North believes that teamwork and the development of strong partnerships at the community, territorial and national level, we can substantially increase participation in astronomy in the North and meaningfully expand the local knowledge base through and beyond the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.
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Advanced Learning Opportunities
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The Canadian Space Agency is committed to assisting educators from across Canada in their efforts to explore and explain the Universe. Here are just a few of the many learning opportunities available for teachers in the Northwest Territories:
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• Canadian Arctic Field Experience for Teachers more info
The Canadian Space Agency invites Educators from coast-to-coast to apply for participation in an expedition to Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut to collaborate in the field with a team of scientists, carry out scientific experiments, and learn more about Geology and Astrobiology on site, and help the CSA prepare the future generation of space explorers. For more information on the program and application process, please contact Jason Clement at jason.clement@asc-csa.gc.ca.
• Canadian Space Educators Conference more info
Northern teachers interested in attending the annual Canadian Space Agency Space Educators' Conference at the John H. Chapman Space Centre in Longueuil, Quebec should register early to see if travel assistance is available . During each day of this three-day conference, educator participants and CSA engineers and scientists will explore space-related, curriculum-relevant topics at the primary and secondary levels.
• CSA Distance and Tele-Learning Program more info
If your school, recreation centre or band office has video conferencing capabilities, you can bring the Canadian Space Agency to your community. The CSA Distance and Tele-Learning program offers science-based instructional workshops and activities, using primarily videoconferencing technology to K-12 students.
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| Northern Sky Basics |
| New to the North? |
To truly understand the context of the northern sky, it is important to understand the context of the northern people and life in northern Canada. Here are a few important elements to consider:
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• Culture |
Modern-day northern society still has many linkages to traditional ways and
beliefs. Just over half of the population of the Northwest Territories is
Aboriginal, and 30 communities out of 33 have larger Aboriginal
populations than non-Aboriginal populations.
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• Languages |
There are 11 official languages in
the Northwest Territories, with many histories, traditions and perspectives that predate
the arrival of Europeans. It is a culturally rich environment that contributes to decision making at the local, regional and territorial level and is a prominent
element in self-governance processes and land claims agreements. When discussing northern astronomy it is extremely important to recognize the modern and traditional knowledge of all northern cultures.
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• Economy |
The Northwest Territories is one of the only places on Earth where the sky
directly impacts the economy. In fact, though it is not considered to be a
natural resource, the northern sky has made a significant contribution to the
NWT economy for almost two decades. The level of estimated direct
expenditures from aurora tourists (predominantly Japanese) grew from $1.8
million in 1994-95 to $25.4 million in 2001-02.
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• Education |
Generally speaking, education in the territory promotes cultural
responsibility through culture-based education and community-oriented
curricula. This approach encourages teachers to reflect, validate and
promote the values, world views, and languages of each community's
cultures. Science is taught in every community using a combined NWT/Alberta
curriculum, however there is limited information about the sky North of 60
and there are very few astronomy resources available for northern
classrooms. This presents a significant challenge for teachers who must
work within a culture-based or community-based system.
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• Sky Conditions |
While weather conditions, atmospheric conditions, bright summers and bright auroras make deep sky astronomy challenging for astronomers, the Northwest Territories remains an ideal location for viewing the aurora borealis, the Sun and Moon, the motion of the sky and atmospherical optics (sundogs, light pillars, etc).
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• Population |
The Northwest Territories covers 13 per cent of Canada’s land mass, a
whopping 1.2 million square kilometres. Even though it is a territory larger than the provinces of Alberta and
Saskatchewan put together, the Northwest Territories has a population of
just 40,000 people. To put this into perspective, if the entire population of
the Northwest Territories were to attend a Blue Jays game at the Rogers
Centre in Toronto, there would still be 14,000 empty seats at the stadium.
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| Northern Sky Features |
While much has changed in the Northwest Territories over the past 1,000 years, the northern sky has remained very much the same. Midnight sun in
the summer, darkness all winter, aurora borealis from August until May, Polaris overhead and a unique view of the northern hemisphere stars cast against one of the world’s darkest skies.
Here's is an overview of Canada's northern sky features:
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• Atmospheric Optics |
Rainbows, halos and sundogs are common in the North. These are all
features that occur when sunlight (or moonlight) is refracted by water
droplets or ice crystals in the atmosphere.
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• Aurora Borealis |
Charged particles from the Sun collide with oxygen and nitrogen in
Earth’s atmosphere to produce colourful lights that dance across the
northern sky. In the North the aurora borealis can be seen almost
every night from the end of August until early May.
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• The Sun |
The polar regions of Earth experience extreme variations in sunlight,
in large part due to the tilt of the planet. These day-and-night
extremes have a significant impact on temperatures and weather
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• Dark Skies |
There is very little light pollution in the Northwest Territories, due to
the small population and absence of major roads. In most locations in
the North, the skies are among the darkest on Earth. On a night with
the right atmospheric conditions and calm auroras, it is easy to view
deep space objects using a backyard telescope.
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• Meteor Showers |
Meteor showers are visible from the during the dark winter months,
however due to light conditions there are a number of spring and
summer showers that are not visible in the North.
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• Noctilucent Clouds |
In June and August, at moments when the sun is situated between 4- 16 degrees below the horizon, strange and sensational noctilucent
clouds can suddenly appear. These are high altitude clouds that
reflect the sunlight as they gracefully weave across the sky.
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• Sun and Moon |
For observers in the Arctic Circle, the sun can be seen circling the entire sky for 24 hours in the summer, but a winter sun does not rise at all. The moon behaves in a similar way. For a few days each winter the moon does not leave the sky, while over the course of many summer nights it may not rise at all.
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• Noctilucent Clouds |
In general, stars and planets are visible in the northern sky from the end of August until early May. For a few weeks every winter, observers in the Arctic can see stars and planets for up to 24 hours. Polaris
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• Traditional Skies |
As Dene elders tell the stories of the sky, we discover a world without telescopes, textbooks or space shuttles and learn of the spiritual and symbolic perspectives that have descended from the early Athabascans. Further north, Inuit elders describe how the stars can be used for navigation through the darkness of winter, and how the moon can be used for telling time.
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| What's Ahead? |
| Toolkit Updates |
Astronomy North will be updating the Teacher Toolkit throughout the year to include the following:
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• NWT Astronomy SkyGuide for Teachers (Coming September 1, 2009)
Inside The Guide: Community Star Maps, Northern Legends
and Lore, Information About Key Arctic Constellations, Predicting
and Photographing the Aurora Borealis.
• Northern Star Wheel (Coming October 1, 2009)
A modified Star Wheel for northern skies will provide an accurate
perspective for northern students and teachers.
• NWT Space Stations (Coming November 1, 2009)
Dedicated computer stations and/or materials for participating
schools in the Northwest Territories. |
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