Family Space Day Overview - Space Rocks

Family Space Day is a three hour event. The activities are set up so that children
and parents can select the order in which they undertake activities. Parents and
children are encouraged to learn, play, and explore together.

Objectives of the Day

Children will:

• learn the difference between a meteoroid, meteor, meteorite, asteroid and
  comet.
• compare and contrast the characteristics of meteorites and Earth rocks.
• explore out what happens to a meteoroid as it moves from outer space to
  Earth’s surface.

Activities

• Station 1: Storytelling or Reading Room
  This day begins with storytelling about space rocks – meteoroids (e.g.,
  Coyote and the Dancing Stars from the SkyTellers Program, or other tales).
  Alternatively, children and their parents browse and read books about
  meteoroids to prepare for the activities. Refer to book list for suggested
  reading.
• Station 2: Space Rocks: A Giant Meteorite Board Game – Children learn
  about meteoroids, meteors, meteorites, asteroids, and comets as they move
  from outer space to Earth’s surface.
• Station 3: Meteorite Investigators: Children examine several rock samples to
  determine which are meteorites and which are not.
• Station 4: Life Cycle of a Space Rock – Children create a mural of a
  meteoroid passing through Earth’s atmosphere and reaching Earth as a
  meteorite.
• Station 5: Coloring Sheets and Games
  Children relax and color and play simple games related to space rocks.
• Station 6: Reading Room
  Children and their parents browse and read a selection of books about space
  rocks (refer to book list for suggested reading).

Other Materials

Facilitator Information – Meteoroids, Meteors, Meteorites, Asteroids and more
Explore Space Rocks – Book and Website References
All About Space Rocks – A Meteoroid Fact Sheet
Do at Home: Meteor Shower Viewing! – Invite families to night sky viewings
during meteor showers
Make at Home! Edible Asteroids – Whip up your own asteroids with
mashed potatoes

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