Big Bang Bottle
Most scientists believe our Universe began violently
with a large explosion called the Big Bang. Putting together a few materials will allow
you to have your own Big Bang.
Materials Needed:
10 - 12 ounce plastic soda bottle with cap, clean
and empty with label removed
Water
Glycerin (available at pharmacies)
Glitter
Sequins in star and planet shapes (optional)
Rubber cement
Steps to Take:
1. Put one teaspoon (about 5 ml) of glycerin in the
bottle.
2. Add glitter and sequins.
3. Fill bottle to the top with water.
4. Glue on bottle cap using rubber cement.
Summary:
The bottle at rest can represent the Universe
prior to the Big Bang. Once you shake the bottle, you can visualize what this event must
have been like. Initially, material swirled and expanded until temperatures cooled. Stars
and galaxies began to form.
Space Window
Astronauts in orbit often report on what they see
out of their vehicle windows. Hurricanes and large fires can look dramatic when seen from
space. The Apollo 13 crew saw one of the most unusual and frightening sights in space.
During their flight, the Service Module (SM) was severely damaged by an explosion. As the
astronauts used the Lunar Module (LM) for their rescue craft, they saw the massive damage
suffered by the Service Module.
It is easy to make your own space window using paper
plates. Here’s how!
Materials Needed:
Two paper plates
Scissors
Crayons, colored pencils, or markers
Glue
Stickers (optional)
Steps to Take:
1. Color a space scene on the front of one of the
plates. Add stickers, if desired.
2. Cut the center circle out of the second plate.
This is your window.
3. Flip the cut-out plate onto the first plate and
glue in place.
Constellation Imagination
Have you ever looked at clouds and tried to make the
shapes into animals or objects? People have done the same thing with stars. Star patterns
are called constellations. Astronomers today agree on 88 constellations. The constellation
shape can be an animal, such as a lion (Leo), a scorpion (Scorpius), or twin people
(Gemini). Sometimes an object is seen. Examples would be the Big Dipper and the Southern
Cross. Twelve specific constellations are grouped together as the zodiac.
When you search for a constellation in the night
sky, you must not expect to see the shape in detail. Often imagination is used to fill in
missing parts. In the case of Orion, the hunter, only one star represents his sword. The
rest requires imagination.
Materials Needed:
Plain paper
Pencil or pen
Star stickers
Steps to Take:
1. Close your eyes and make 5 to 7 dots on your
paper.
2. Place star stickers on the dots.
3. Let your imagination loose and build your own
constellation.
Space Mobile
This mobile really shimmers and shines. Make one to
give your room some sparkle.
Materials Needed:
2 CD-Roms (Hint: Use the extra ones you get in the
mail from on-line services)
String
Glue
Glitter
Construction paper
Markers or crayons
Steps To Take:
1. Cut four pieces of string 24" in ( 0.6 m)
length.
2. Place one CD-Rom on flat table.
3. Arrange the strings on top of the CD-Rom. Two
strings are centered across the disk(from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock). Two strings
are centered up and down the center of the disk(from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock).
4. Glue second CD over the top of the first making
sure the string ends extend out the sides. Let dry thoroughly.
5. Take one string end of each section of the disk
and tie together. This is your hanger.
6. Make four outer space objects or spacecraft.
Decorate with glitter and markers.
7. Attach your drawings to the four remaining
strings. Allow to dry.
8. Hang your mobile and enjoy.
Picture Galaxy
Make a picture stabile that is out of this world!
Materials Needed:
8" (20 cm) styrofoam ball, cut in half
Chenille stems, 12" ( 30.5 cm) lengths, in
various colors
Paint, optional
Cardboard
Favorite photographs that can be cut
Steps To Take:
1. Paint one-half of the styrofoam ball and
allow to dry.
2. Cut cardboard to cover the flat side of the
painted ball. Glue in place.
3. Cut chenille stems in assorted lengths in pairs.
Twist the ends in a candy cane fashion but leave the top untwisted and in the shape of a
"Y".
4. Insert the chenille stems twisted ends first into
the styrofoam ball.
5. Cut photgraphs into smaller circles, squares, and
rectangles.
6. Tape the top of the chenille stems to the back of
the photographs.
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