Fourth Grade Students Visit NASA Exhibit at Slover Library
On Thursday, January 5, fourth grade students visited the NASA Exhibit at the Slover Library. The trip corresponded with their Earth and Space Unit.
Students rotated through different stations that used games to reinforce mathematical and scientific concepts that are currently being learned in fourth grade. In the Space Rocks Simulator, students were asked to choose a location as well as the size, speed, and density of a meteor to see the impact it would have if it struck the Earth. The students were surprised to discover that a meteor striking Norfolk would destroy the entire eastern seaboard of the United States! The simulator can also be used to devise a solution to protect our community from meteors.
The Mission to Mars Simulator reinforced concepts of distance and time in space. When asked how far the International Space Station is, one student cleverly replied with, “Out of our atmosphere.” Students were able to touch meteorites that were once in space and view images from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Laboratory.
Students had a lot of fun at the Daily Weather Report Station, where they donned space suits and delivered weather reports in front of a green screen! They participated in a hands-on activity, making their own paper space crafts and testing them out in a makeshift rocket launcher.
These types of experiences support our students’ growth in the Life of Mind, strengthening classroom lessons outside of school. Discover NASA Stations help make learning about science fun so students form a genuine desire to pursue math and science course work.
The Slover Library, which opened in 2015, is one of only six libraries in the country to feature the traveling exhibit. The NASA Exhibit will be open until Saturday, January 14, so head back and experience it for yourself!
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Saint Patrick Catholic School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Saint Patrick Catholic School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.