Challenge the children to illustrate the science story of Polaris and the Native American story of Negah's journey up the magical mountain and how he became the star that does not move.

Ask the children to think about the story they just heard.

• What happened in the story?
• What did Negah like to do?
• What did he find that was unusual one day?
• Why was it unusual?
• Where did he end up?
• What happened to Negah?

Invite them to illustrate the story of how Polaris came to be — or one aspect of the story. Older children can work individually or in groups to illustrate aspects of the science story. Illustration detail will depend on the age of the children.

Invite the children to create and illustrate their "own" story of why Polaris stands still.

Expand the types of materials available to include paint, tissue paper, glue, scissors, etc., so the children can make mosaics, mobiles, or sculptures to illustrate the stories.

Last updated
June 11, 2007

Who?
Ages 5 and up

How Long?
30–60 minutes

What's Needed?

• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
• Paper or poster board

Connections to the National Science Standard(s)

Standards A, B&D (grades K–4): Understand and communicate that objects in the sky have patterns of movement. The position of objects in the sky can be described by locating them relative to another object or the background, for example, Polaris' location relative to the Big Dipper.