Current Programs and TEKS Correlation
Grade 2
“AMAZING STARGAZING”
TEKS: 2.7.D
Show Summary:
Based upon a radio program in Minnesota, “Amazing Stargazing” shows the sky from day and night to seasonal sky changes, meteors, planets, the moon (phases) and satellites. Characters, including an orange cat named “AAHSIE”, interact with each other to explain the sky above. Some humor. Total runtime: 32 minutes. Teacher's Guide (2.93MB).
“STARS FOR STARTERS”
TEKS: 2.7.D
Show Summary:
This program introduces the students to the Planetarium Theater and to a “friendly dark”. Through the aid of a friend, Mr. Sun, students learn about stars; their colors, size, and temperature. Day and night are discussed as are Earth’s rotation, directions, and the rising and setting of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. Students get a chance to use their imagination with the stars to see the “star patterns” we sometimes call constellations. Stories are added to explain what other cultures see in the night sky. Total runtime: 35 minutes. Teacher’s Guide available. Under Revision.
Grade 3
“PLANET PATROL: SOLAR SYSTEM STAKEOUT ”
TEKS: 3.11.C and 3.11.D
Show Summary:
Planetary Investigator, Sam Snork, and his protégé, Elmo, search our Solar System for the source of some unusual transmissions (commercials). This program focuses on the Sun, each planet of our Solar System, as well as what makes our own planet, Earth, special. A little humor. Total runtime: 42 minutes. Teacher’s Guide (1.17 MB).
“SPACE BUS ”
TEKS: 3.11.C and 3.11.D
Show Summary:
The year is 2077. A group of students from Asimov Elementary earn a ride on the Space Bus to visit the planets in our Solar System. Topics discussed are: seeing Earth from space, Earth’s rotation, the relative positions of the planets, planetary sizes, comets, asteroids, and the aspects of each of our planets and their moons. Total runtime: 48 minutes. Teacher’s Guide available. Under Revision.
Grade 5
“LUNAR ODYSSEY ”
TEKS: 5.6.A, 5.12.C and 7.13.B
Show Summary:
Through an imaginary trip to lunar orbit, passengers learn about the Moon from “experts” in lunar mythology, history, science, and astronomy. Students learn about the mythology, origin, and characteristics of our nearest neighbor in space. Total runtime: 43 minutes.
Grade 6
“OUR SOLAR NEIGHBORHOOD ”
TEKS: 6.13.A and 6.13.B
Show Summary:
“Our Solar Neighborhood” takes the students through our own Solar System with general comparisons of the planets, a historical perspective of Solar System discoveries, and moves on to individual characteristics of the planets, comets, and meteors. Total run time is about 60 minutes. Teacher’s Guide under production.
“WORLDS IN MOTION ”
TEKS: 6.6.A, 6.6.B, 6.3.E, 5.12.D,8.7.A, 8.13.B
Show Summary:
“Worlds in Motion” explains motions of objects ranging from the molecules in our bodies, to the rising and setting of the Sun, Moon, and stars. Also explained are how fast we are traveling around our Sun and galaxy as well as what keeps us in orbit. Total runtime is about 35 minutes. Under Production.
Grade 8
“UNIVERSE ”
TEKS: 6.13.B, 6.13.A (in passing), and 8.13.A
Show Summary:
“Universe” is a program about our Universe. From the dawn of exploration, through the history of flight, to space travel, we move to the exploration of our Solar System and into the realm of our galaxy and beyond. Topics covered are: flight, space exploration, the Solar System from the point of view of what we’ve explored, galaxies, star formation, nebula, star clusters, black holes and quasars. Total runtime: 45 minutes. Teacher’s Guide available (Under Revision).
“THE SKY TONIGHT: AUTUMN AND WINTER TALES ”
TEKS: 6.13.A and 7.13.A
Show Summary:
This program is a cross-disciplinary program covering the night sky of Autumn and Winter with a mix of stories from Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. Constellations, meteors and meteor showers, and seasons are discussed. Total runtime is about 40 minutes. No Teacher’s Guide.