Hobbies And Interests
Simple Space Orientation
As a simple quiz and drill for teaching the order of the planets in relation to distance from the sun, one person randomly says a planet, such as "Mars," and another person must quickly state the two planets that bracket Mars, with the answer being "Earth and Jupiter." This game works the memory into mentally "seeing" the planets at a deeper level. The more it is played, the better the planets are remembered, providing deeper neural recording rather than just simply memorizing the planets in a single line.
If someone says, "Mercury," the answer is: "Sun and Venus." If someone says, "Pluto," the answer is: "Neptune and space."
Finding and Learning Constellations
With a simple star map that provides the locations of the constellations during the days of the year, find a dark location away from city lights. Using a small flashlight and a compass, consult the star map and orient the group in the proper direction. Choose a constellation and memorize its key star placements. Have everyone close his eyes and extinguish all light sources. After a few seconds, everyone should open his eyes and seek out the constellation. When the constellation is found, ensure that everyone recognizes the star placements.
Consult a pre-printed crib sheet on constellations or a star guidebook, and read aloud the history of the "picture" that has traditionally been "painted in the stars." Find and name the individual stars in the constellation. Everyone should attempt to visualize the picture that must be mentally projected into the sky. Consult the guidebook again and provide a glimpse of various artist conceptions of the constellation.
Find several constellations in this method, frequently reviewing each constellation's placement in regard to the location of other constellations.
Space Exploration Visualization
People love storytelling. They love using their imagination, regardless of age. Take a storytelling space ride by having a good storyteller provide the spaceship and fuel. After familiarizing with the various planets--general descriptions, properties, possible scenarios--the storyteller will lead the group in visualizing traveling through the solar system, visiting each planet, describing the gravitational pull of each planet, near misses with passing meteors, traveling close to a comet and perhaps going into a deep sleep to reach a far-off star beyond the solar system.