Watumull Planetarium Programs for School Groups
Bishop Museum’s planetarium, which turns fifty years old in 2011, was the first planetarium anywhere in Polynesia. Programs are done either entirely “live” or (in the case of both Explorers shows, Astronomy of Galileo, and Moon Witch) as a mix of live and recorded segments.
Planetarium programs for grades Pre-K through 3rd Grade
GRADES PRE K – 3: Stories Under the Stars
30 minutes
An introduction to the night sky featuring constellation stories from several different cultures.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.K.1.1 Use the senses to make observations.
SC.K.8.2 Identify different types of celestial objects seen in the day and night sky.
SC.2.1.1 Develop predictions based on observations.
SC.3.8.4 Describe that constellations stay the same, though they “appear” to move across the night sky.
Language Arts:
LA K.3.1 Retell familiar stories, using beginning, middle, and ending
Social Sciences
SS.1.6.1 Describe ways in which own and other cultures express cultural beliefs and practices through stories and/or legends
GRADES PRE K TO 3: Up In the Sky
30 minutes
This live program provides a general introduction to the sky. We describe and identify sun, moon, planets and constellations, in the planetarium sky. We also explore daily motion and how constellations stay the same even as they appear to move as the sky turns. The program also includes some storytelling and mythology.
HCPS III– Benchmarks
Science:
SC.K.1.1 Use the senses to make observations.
SC.K.8.2 Identify different types of celestial objects seen in the day and night sky.
SC.3.8.3 Safely observe and describe the basic movements of the sun and moon.
SC.3.8.4 Describe that constellations stay the same, though they “appear” to move across the night sky.
GRADES PRE-K TO 4: Moon Witch
30 minutes
Introduction to moon lore and phases suitable for younger audiences told in an entertaining program format. The story involves two children trick-or-treating on Halloween and noticing the full moon “following” them. Hands-on activity may include moon phase demonstration, depending on student readiness.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.K.1.1 Use the senses to make observations.
SC.K.8.2 Identify different types of celestial objects seen in the day and night sky.
SC.3.8.3 Safely observe and describe the basic movements of the sun and moon
Planetarium Programs for grades 4 – 12
GRADES 4 TO 12: Explorers of Polynesia 40 minutes
Explorers of Polynesia explores the rediscovery of Polynesian navigation in Hawai‘i in the 1970s, including the construction of the voyaging canoe Hōkūle‘a and the roles of Nainoa Thompson and Mau Piailug in reviving this lost art. During the program we take a voyage from Hawai‘i to Tahiti in the planetarium. The students will then try their hand at navigating back to Hawai‘i using the stars.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.4.2.1 Describe how the use of technology has influenced the economy, demographics and environment of Hawai‘i.
SC.6.2.1 Explain how technology has an impact on society and science.
Social Studies:
SS.4.3.1 Explain the origins and culture of early Hawaiians.
SS.4.3.4 Describe the theories of early migrations from parts of Polynesia to Hawaii, including migration myths and legends.
SS.4.7.1 Identify the major geographic characteristics and demographics of the pre-contact Hawaiian archipelago, including its relative location to other major land masses.
GRADES 4 TO 12: Explorers of Mauna Kea 40 minutes
This program explores the geological origins of the Hawaiian Islands and specifically of Mauna Kea, and at the mountain’s cultural significance. Students do an activity that demonstrates how the 36 mirrors of the Keck telescope are able to work together to collect light. The program also explores the unique set of factors (from its clear skies to its tropical location) that make Mauna Kea one of the best observatory sites on earth.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.4.8.1 Describe how slow processes sometimes shape and reshape the surface of the earth.
SC.5.8.2 Describe examples of what astronomers have discovered using telescopes.
SC.ES.2.4 Describe technologies used to collect information about the universe.
GRADES 4 TO 12: Journey to the Planets 35 minutes
Find the planets in the current night sky and learn how they are different from the stars. Explore the planets as we’ve studied them through the ages, from “naked-eye” observation to telescopes to robotic explorers! Then take a tour of the planets through the solar system as seen by NASA spacecraft.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.5.8.1 Describe the relationship (size and distance) of Earth to other components in the solar system.
SC.5.8.2 Describe examples of what astronomers have discovered using telescopes.
SC.8.8.10 Compare the characteristics and movement patterns of the planets in our solar system.
GRADE4 TO 12: Sky Tonight/Space Update 30 minutes
Go on a tour of the current night sky. The program also includes an update on current space missions, depending on student readiness.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.4.8.3 Describe the relationship between the sun and the earth’s daily rotation and annual revolution.
SC.5.8.1 Describe the relationship (size and distance) of Earth to other components in the solar system.
SC.5.8.4 Demonstrate that day and night are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis
SC.ES.2.4 Describe technologies used to collect information about the universe.
GRADES 3-12: Cool Moon 40 minutes
Students observe the moon in the planetarium sky during the course of a month to predict patterns of moon phases. Using a model of the sun-earth-moon system, students will then observe the nature of phases and eclipses.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.5.8.3 Explain that the planets orbit the sun and that the moon orbits the earth.
SC.8.8.9 Explain the predictable motions of the earth and moon.
GRADES 3-12: Astronomy of Galileo 35 minutes
400 years ago Galileo first turned a telescope on the night sky, and changed our understanding of the cosmos dramatically. Astronomy of Galileo explores the life and science of Galileo, with particular attention to the great debate: is the sun or the earth in the middle? Students also explore the motion of planets in the night sky and the motion of Jupiter’s moons around Jupiter.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.5.8.2 Describe examples of what astronomers have discovered using telescopes.
SC.K.8.2 Identify different types of celestial objects seen in the day and night sky.
SC.8.8.10 Compare the characteristics and movement patterns of the planets in our solar system.
SC.ES.2.4 Describe technologies used to collect information about the universe.
GRADES 3-12: Tropical Skies 35 minutes
Tropical Skies explores some of the unique qualities of the Hawaiian daytime and nighttime sky. We use the planetarium sky to show the changes in the sun’s path during different seasons. We look at the phenomenon of Lāhaina Noon, that uniquely tropical event where the sun passes directly overhead. The program ends with a tour of the current evening Hawaiian sky.
HCPS III – Benchmarks
Science:
SC.3.8.3 Safely observe and describe the basic movements of the sun and moon.
SC.8.8.3 Describe how the earth’s motions and tilt affect the seasons and weather patterns.
SC.8.8.9 Explain the predictable motions of the Earth and moon