What to do if you only have 45 minutes
Tuesday

Schedule 1: 
Learn Information about the Sun Close-Up and then Play the Game
Schedule 2: 
Play the Game and then Learn Information about the Sun Close-Up
Schedule 3: 
The Sun Close-Up Activity
Schedule 4:
Meet Today's Scientists

Schedule 1:  Learn Information about the Sun Close Up and Play the Game (approximately 45 minutes)

1. To begin, choose A or B below:

A. In order for your students to become knowledgeable about the "sun close-up", you should explain to them some of the information covered in the first two content pages, "Observing the Sun" and "Solar Telescopes". B. Have your students log on to the Solar Week website, and complete the scavenger hunt for Tuesday.  The scavenger hunt will lead your students through the first two content pages, "Observing the Sun" and "Solar Telescopes".

2. Once your students have learned about the sun close-up, they are ready to play Tuesday's game, "Guess the Celebrity."  This games uses pixilated images of famous celebrities to show how improved resolution can lead to more information about an object. This game is best done by projecting the images on to a large screen if possible or by having small groups sit around several computers. You should print out the answer forms prior to playing the game.

3. If students complete the game early, encourage them to explore another part of Tuesday such as the scientists' biographies, "The Effect on Earth," or "Questions to Think About".

4. Debrief students on their experience today.  Ask students to explain what new information they learned.  If students have a good understanding of the information they covered, you could assign the "Questions to Think About" as group discussion questions or as homework.

Preparation Needed for Schedule 1:

1. If you are going to do 1A, you will need to read over the information provided in the first two content pages and decide what information you are going to explain to your students.

2. If you are going to do 1B, you should print enough copies of Tuesday's scavenger hunt for each person in the class or for each group of students.

3. It is recommended that you bookmark the Solar Week website on each computer the students will be using in order to save time in the future.

4. Before students play the game, "Guess the Celebrity," you should print out the answer forms.

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Schedule 2:  Game and then Information on the Sun Close-Up (approximately 45 minutes)

1. Tuesday's game, "Guess the Celebrity", uses pixilated images of famous celebrities to show how improved resolution can lead to more information about an object.  Students can play the game before learning about the content.  It is helpful, however, if they have an understanding of pixels and resolution prior to beginning the game.

2. This game is best done by projecting the images on to a large screen if possible or by having small groups sit around several computers.  You should print out the answer forms prior to playing the game.

3. After students complete the game, you can choose one of the options below - explain the information to the students (A), or you can have the students discover the information on their own by completing a scavenger hunt (B).

A. In order for your students to become knowledgeable about the "sun close-up", you should explain to them some of the information covered in the first two content pages, "Observing the Sun" and "Solar Telescopes". B. A. Have your students log on to the Solar Week website, and complete the scavenger hunt for Tuesday.  The scavenger hunt will lead your students through the first two content pages, "Observing the Sun" and "Solar Telescopes".

Preparation Needed for Schedule 2:

1. It is recommended that you bookmark the Solar Week website on each computer the students will be using in order to save time in the future.

2. Before students play the game, "Guess the Celebrity", you should print out the answer forms.

3. If you are going to do 3A, you will need to read over the information provided in the first two content pages and decide what information you are going to explain to your students.

4. If you are going to do 3B, you should print enough copies of Tuesday's scavenger hunt for each person in the class or for each group of students.

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Schedule 3:  The Sun Close-Up Activity

1. Read over the activity for Tuesday, "Fun with Pixels".

2. Follow the directions to complete this activity with your students.  Recommendation:  If you have time, students would benefit from reading the content page "Images from Space" prior to completing the activity.

3. Debrief students on their experience today.  Ask students to explain what new information they learned.

*Note:  Some of the activities provided in Solar Week may take more than one class period.  Read the directions ahead of time in order to be sure that you have set aside enough class time.

Preparation Needed for Schedule 3:

1. Gather all of the necessary materials for the activity by following the directions in "Fun with Pixels".

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Schedule 4:  Meet Today's Scientists (approximately 45 minutes)

1. Have your students choose one of the two scientists from the page entitled, "Introducing Our Scientists". NOTE: Depending on time, students may be able to read both biographies.

2. Then have the students read the scientist's biography.  The purpose of the biographies is to help your students relate to the scientists as people and perhaps find some similarities in their life that might give your students some encouragement to keep going with science.  You may want to have your students write down any important or interesting facts about their scientist.

3. Once the students are knowledgeable about their scientist, have them look at the section on Tuesday's page called "Ask a Question".  On this page, they will see a message board with eight different categories.

4. Have each student or each group of students write down one question to ask the scientists.  The question should fit into one of the eight categories.  They can ask questions about what it's like to be a female scientist or what it takes to be a solar physicist for example.  Encourage your students to think of challenging questions to ask the scientists.

5. The students should then bring their question to you in order to have it approved.  If students have questions on facts about the sun, please have them refer to the Solar Facts page as well as the questions that have already been answered about how hot the sun is, how big the sun is, how old it is, etc.  This will ensure a better response from the scientists.

6. Once you have approved the question, the students should click on the appropriate category and type in their question.

7. Have your students check back later that day or the following day to see if the scientists have answered their question.

8. If students are finished early, encourage the "sun close-up" by reading one of the content pages.

Preparation Needed for Schedule 4:

1. Look over the "Ask a Question" message board so that you know the eight categories for questions.

2. If you have time, read over the scientists' biographies so that you have discuss with students the connections between the scientists and themselves.

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