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September 2010
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Canadian Astronomy starts here!

Learn more about the night sky!

 

 

  

Astronomy in the Guides and Scouts Programs

Girl Guides: Sparks | Brownies | Guides | Pathfinders | Senior Branches
Scouts: Beavers | Cubs | Scouts | Venturers | Rovers

GIRL GUIDES OF CANADA

National Headquarters:
50 Merton Street
Toronto ON M4S 1A3
Phone: 416-487-5281
Fax: 416-487-5570
URL: http://www.girlguides.ca
E-mail: ggc@girlguides.ca

SPARKS: age 5-6.

We do not suggest any specific astronomy activities for this age group, other than becoming aware of the sky environment in the daytime and at night.

BROWNIES: age 7-9

The program strands are called "windows". These are first opened, then widened. They look at people, the outdoors, and today and tomorrow. In opening and widening the girls' view on the outdoors, astronomy can be introduced: noting and recording the sun and moon in the daytime sky, and noting and recording the moon, planets, and stars in the evening and night sky.

Learning to find north, south, east, and west is part of the program. The girls might note that the sun moves from the east in the morning, to the south at noon, to the west in the evening.

In widening their view on people, they might note that the calendars of many cultures are connected with the sun and moon. The Chinese and Islamic New Years begin with the New Moon. In the Christian calendar, the date of New Year is close to the first day of winter, and the date of Easter is determined from the Full Moon.

SPACE BADGE

Do at least one thing from each part:

Part A

  1. What is a planet? What planet do we live on? Find out the names of all the other planets in our solar system. Share this with your Unit.
  2. What is a planet? Draw or make a model of a planet. Share it with your Unit.
  3. What is a planet? Make a mobile of the planets. Share it with your Unit.

Part B

  1. Go outdoors at night with an adult and look at the night sky. Find the Big Dipper and the North Star.
  2. Find a picture in a book showing the sky at night. Find a picture of a constellation (a group of stars) and a picture of the Milky Way. What is the Milky Way?
  3. Go outdoors with an adult in the evening or early morning. Find the moon. When you look at the moon, it has different shapes on different days. What shapes have you seen?

Part C

  1. Find out about someone who has traveled in space. How is traveling in space different from traveling on earth?
  2. Visit an observatory or planetarium. Share your experience with other Brownies.
  3. Read or listen to a legend, or create your own legend, about the moon or the stars.

SCIENCE BADGE

Several parts of the Science Badge can be done with examples from Astronomy or Space. For example:

  • A.1. Do an experiment about motion.
  • A.2. Do an experiment about gravity.
  • C.1. Talk with someone who works in the field of science, or has created a new invention or product.
  • C.2. Visit a science museum or nature area, and tell about or draw the exhibit you liked best.

GUIDES: age 9 to 12

The program is divided into four strands: my community, my outdoor environment, my horizons, and my future. Each strand is divided into encountering, exploring, and discovering. Astronomy and space can be introduced in several places:

Encountering my community: 3.a. Find out about two famous Canadian women.

Encountering my outdoor environment: 1.b. Know the eight points on a compass; Find north using the compass. [The girls may be aware that they can tell direction from the sun or stars.]

Exploring my outdoor environment: 2.a. The compass again.

Discovering my community: 1.c. One option deals with special celebration days observed in other countries. The calendars of many cultures are connected with the sun and moon. The Chinese and Islamic New Year are set by New Moon. In the Christian calendar, the date of New Year is close to the first day or winter, and the date of Easter is based on the date of Full Moon.

Discovering my outdoor environment: 1.b. The compass again. 3.b. One option is: Learn about astronomy and observe the night sky: find each of the following: the Milky Way; Cassiopeia; Ursa Major (which includes the Big Dipper); and Polaris, the North Star. Learn and tell one of the many ancient stories or legends about how a constellation came to be.

Discovering my horizons: 3. Science and Technology: Find out about a famous Canadian woman scientist, and do a presentation, or Plan and participate in a Science Night; try several science experiments or demonstrations, or Design and create a project ..... or Visit a science or technology museum or centre; find several interesting displays, demonstrations, or special exhibits; share what you found with others.

CAMPING EMBLEMS

Experienced Camper: A.f. One of three options is: On a clear night, observe the sky. Identify one planet, the North Star, one other star, and three constellations.

ASTRONOMER BADGE

Purpose: to introduce you to the pleasure of stargazing, and to increase your knowledge of astronomy.

  1. Tell what is meant by: planets, meteors, stars, comets, meteorites, milky way.
  2. Draw a picture or make a model of our solar system. Show the different planets.
  3. Tell how we can use the sun and stars to tell directions.
  4. Explain the movement of the stars.
  5. There are many ancient tales of how the constellations came to be. There are the stories of the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper, of Pegasus the flying horse, and many others. Learn one of these and tell it.
  6. Find these constellations: Cassiopeia, Ursa Major (which includes the Big Dipper).
  7. Also point out in season two of these constellations:
    • Cygnus, Taurus, Leo, Gemini, Orion, Pegasus, or
    • Find the stars of the Summer Triangle, or
    • Find any two of the bright stars Capella, Sirius, Aldebaran, Arcturus, Antares.
  8. Find one planet in the evening or morning sky.

PATHFINDERS: age 12 to 15

The program is divided into emblems. These have different Pathways, and different levels. Astronomy figures in the Outdoor Emblem, Natural Environment pathway: "15. Begin or continue an outdoor hobby such as .... star-gazing .....", also "18. Do a comparison of the night sky at the same hour in summer and winter. Find five constellations or planets in each season that are not visible the whole year, and five that are. Try to find a satellite" and "19. There are different types of telescopes. Describe at least two. Make a simple telescope and use it". Astronomy also figures in the Outdoor Skills pathway: "3. Demonstrate how to find directions without a compass on a sunny day, on a cloudy day, and on a clear night".

SENIOR BRANCHES: age 15-17+

We do not suggest any specific astronomy activities for this age group, other than to be aware of astronomy as an appealing outdoor hobby, a stimulating topic for reading and thinking, and a possible career.

SCOUTS CANADA

National Headquarters:
1345 Baseline Road
Ottawa ON K2C 0A7
Phone: 613-224-5131
Fax: 613-224-3571
URL: http://www.scouts.ca
E-mail: mailbox@scouts.ca

BEAVERS: age 5 to 7.

We do not suggest any specific astronomy activities for this age group, other than to become aware of the sky environment in the daytime and at night.

CUBS: age 8 to 11

The Cub program includes a series of activity areas. Astronomy is part of the Black Star (natural world) activities: "Point out the North Star and three constellations" and also the Green Star (outdoor skills) activities: "Tell how the sun, moon and North Star can help you find directions" and also the Purple Star (Canada and the world) activities: "Make a presentation describing Canadian space technology and travel".

There are two astronomy-related badges:

ASTRONOMER BADGE (natural world)

  1. Teach another Cub how to use the pointer stars of the Big Dipper to find Polaris, the North Star.
  2. Show how to orient and read a seasonal star map. Be able to find five constellations of your choice.
  3. Learn and tell a story related to a constellation, or an aboriginal legend regarding the night sky.
  4. Know and describe three sky features
    • (a) Milky Way
    • (b) Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights
    • (c) Comets
    • (d) Meteors
    • (e) Planets
    • (f) Stars
    • (g) Satellites
    • (h) Eclipses
  5. Know the phases of the moon, and the moon's role in causing ocean
    tides.

SPACE EXPLORATION BADGE (Canada and the world)

Do any four of the following requirements:

  1. Discuss the importance of space technology in Canadian living. This
    could include:
    • (a) weather forecasts
    • (b) communications (c) search and rescue operations
    • (d) map making
    • (e) promoting international cooperation between Canada and other countries.
  2. Make a drawing or model of a satellite, such as Canada's first satellites
    Alouette I and II, ISIS or Hermes, or another satellite of your choice.
  3. Make a presentation about the Space Shuttle, including the Canadarm.
  4. Design and build a space station. Include living requirements. such as water, air and food supplies, power sources, communications, and describe what peaceful activities the space station can be used for.
  5. Draw or make a model of a rocket, or of a space craft of your own design. Tell about any special features you have included in your model.
  6. Draw or make a space suit currently in use, or one of your own design. Tell about any special features you have included in your model.
  7. Make a report on or a scrapbook about an astronaut, mission team, or space mission of your choice.

SCOUTS: age 11 to 14

There are no specific astronomy requirements in the core program. Scouts are expected to remember the knowledge which they acquired as Cubs. Since the emphasis in the core program is on the outdoors, then the most suitable topics would be:

  1. Knowing the stars and constellations, and their motions
  2. Telling direction from the sun and stars
  3. Telling time from the sun and stars
    • Reference: Field Book for Canadian Scouting, Ottawa: Scouts Canada, ISBN 1-894187-00-8, pages 231-234 and chapter 17.

SPECIALTY BADGE

There is no Astronomer Badge at present, but there is a possibility for a Scout to earn a Specialty Badge in an area of interest, such as Astronomy. Guidelines for such an "Astronomy Specialty" would be useful.

SCIENCE BADGE

Purpose. Show an interest in the sciences. Some scientific fields include: archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, electronics, geology, mathematics, medicine, physics, zoology, microbiology, botany, and biotechnology.

Requirements. Show by your participation in a science fair, exposition, open house, or private demonstration, that you have an interest and skill in a scientific subject beyond the level expected of you in your school work. Demonstrate by devices, models, charts, collections, or in the field, the aspect that interests you. Explain the background, and how it relates to the rest of the world or other fields of science.

SPACE EXPLORATION CHALLENGE BADGE

Purpose: To encourage youth to investigate the area of space exploration.

Requirements:

Part A: Knowledge

  1. Learn about the make-up of the universe including: its composition; the
    solar system; the sun; the earth; space radiation.
  2. Describe the principles associated with rocket propulsion.
  3. Demonstrate knowledge of the different types of space vehicles.
  4. Creatively describe the following:

  5. Understand basic satellite designs
  6. Describe the major moments in Canadian space history.

Part B: Proficiency

  1. Make a list of the different ways in which we utilize space today.
  2. Design a rocket or satellite, and explain its parts.

Part C: Initiative

  1. Visit an agency associated with space exploration (e.g. museum, web site).
  2. Describe, including the educational requirements needed, four jobs related
    to the space industry.

VENTURERS: age 14-17 (co-ed) and ROVERS: age 18-26 (co-ed).

We do not suggest any specific astronomy activities for these senior age groups, other than to become aware of the opportunities to do astronomy as an outdoor hobby, and as a stimulating topic for reading and thinking.

GENERAL REFERENCES

"Celebrate Winter's Darkness", Hazel Hallgren, Brenda Beckett, and Lynn Johnson, The Leader, January 2002, pages 7-10.

with files from J.R. Percy (2009), University of Toronto

  
       

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