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Market Street students explore astronomy
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Devin Holt (left), Julian Cousin, and Lauren Hurd learned about how weight differs on other planets on April 4 and stepped on scales to see what they would weigth on the moon, Venus, and Mercury, respectively.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor . Chase Picino learned about spectroscopy at a COSI activity station on April 4.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .A group of Market Street students explored a "Remote Operated Vehicle" COSI activity station on April 4. The group included, from left, volunteer Tiffany Freeman (left), and students Jacci Freeman, Jylie Penson, and Kennedy Paige.
By SARAH FOOR
The students at Market Street Elementary went on a tour of the universe on March 4 thanks to the COSI on Wheels program “Astounding Astronomy.”
COSI, also known as the Columbus-based Center of Science and Industry, explored the skies with an interactive assembly and hands-on activities.
Joe Butler, COSI staff educator, wanted the Market Street students to think beyond our home on Earth.
“In our assembly, I talk about why it’s important to explore our universe and how we can achieve it. The universe is a very big place, of course, so we also focus on the planets here in our own neighborhood, the solar system,” Butler explained.
After the presentation, students in each grade level explored nine different activity stations. In their explorations, students learned about orbit, gravitational force, spectroscopy, atmospheric pressure and planetary spin and tilt.
Many of the stations, as well as Butler’s assembly, focused on the importance of astronauts in space exploration.
“I really stress the bravery of the male and female astronauts who help us study and experiment in space. Considering their sacrifices, I like to tell the kids to do their part in making the world a clean, happy, safe place, so that our astronauts will be excited to come back home to Earth,” Butler said.
The “Seeing Stars” activity station had students explore constellations and taught them how to better understand the sky at night.
The COSI educator said he hopes the kids at Market Street continue to explore the skies long after he leaves.
“There are so many things more to explore. In the next 10 years, we hope to spend a manned flight to Mars, and any Market Street student could be one of the people taking that first step. We’re definitely glad to get the kids excited about science and always dreaming big,” Butler shared.