Creator: Celestia Development Team | visit site
Grade Range: 8 - 11
This free software offers real time views of outer space, and you can select where you want to view. It has zoom capabilities, settings for labels, and a neat demo of what the software can do. Not for the casual user, this interactive download requires some practice. This is not the type of tool to put in the hands of students and just say, "play," unless the students are advanced. One caution with downloads such as these: be sure to have administrative access or permission to install on computers. If it cannot be installed on student computers, then it could still be used with the your computer and an interactive whiteboard.
In the Classroom
Use this software first on the interactive whiteboard for students. While multiple activities are going on in the classroom, have students visit the whiteboard as just one station. The first time students are exposed to the program, they may be a little overwhelmed. Use a student tech team to help orient others to this tool.rn<br><br>rnHave students watch the demo provided. Then have them create their own space tours using an interactive poster tool such as Web Poster Wizard (<a href="/single.cfm?id=7332">reviewed here</a>). This would be a nice alternative to a brochure on traveling to different planets.
At Home
The first time your student is exposed to the program, he/she may be a little overwhelmed. Have your student watch the demo provided, and then start investigating the information.
Tags
planets, sun, stars, space, geology, solar system,