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For Educators

Clark Planetarium offers classroom resources and lesson plans. In addition, we also offer professional development workshops for teachers.

Teachers attend Clark Planetarium's professional development workshop.

Professional Development Workshops for Teachers

Workshops typically are scheduled through district science specialists and can be taught on-site for a single district or for several districts together. Some workshops can only be scheduled if funding is available, and some may offer resource kits teachers can take back to their schools. E-mail clarkeducation@slco.org with questions.

Seasons and Moon Phases – Curriculum for Utah 6th grade SEEd 6.1.1

In this training, learn how to demonstrate the phenomena of seasons and moon phases. In addition, learn how to guide students through investigations of the causes.

This workshop meets 6th-grade SEEd standards, and it includes training on using the “Seasons and Moon Phases” teacher resource kits. For information about your district contact and to request a “Seasons and Moon Phases” teacher resource kit, contact clarkeducation@slco.org.

Kinesthetic Astronomy – Curriculum for Utah 6th grade SEEd 6.1.1

Learn how to act out the motions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun in this active and engaging workshop. Teachers will act as students in modeling the correct motions and appearances of the Moon and Sun in the sky. Students use their bodies to represent the Earth, with different features of the room representing the Sun and stars.

Electricity and Magnetism – Curriculum for Utah 5th grade Science standards 3 and 4

Experience several hands-on activities that allow students to explore static electric, current electric, and magnetic phenomena. Aligned with 3D science teaching, these activities give students tools to explore and model electric and magnetic fields.

Density – Curriculum for 6th-grade SEEd 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3

This curriculum helps students develop an understanding of density – a core concept of standard 6.2. These lessons scaffold upward, starting with planets and moons (6.1.3), moving on to molecules and phase changes (6.2), and ending with the water cycle (6.3.1).

Universe Sandbox

Universe Sandbox is an interactive physics-based space simulation. This “video game” program allows teachers and students to explore gravity and the movement of objects in space. In this workshop, Clark educators will introduce educators to the program, guide them in using the software for both demonstrations, and provide student-led lesson plans. Attending educators will each receive a license to install the software at their school.

Curriculum and Lessons

Clark Planetarium offers digital versions its teacher professional development sessions. They can be downloaded from the links shown below. For questions about the materials, or to inquire about professional development opportunities, contact us at 385-468-1248 or clarkeducation@slco.org.

6th-grade Seasons and Moon Phase Activity Kits (Kits meet SEEd standards)

Instructions for Kinesthetic Astronomy Kit Activities  

Resources for SEEd Density Activities

Some of the PowerPoint slides have notes with additional information.

Standard 6.1.3 – Structure of the Solar System

Standard 6.2.1 – Atoms and Molecules 

Standard 6.2.2 – Heat Energy and Phase Changes  

Standard 6.3.1 – The Water Cycle  

Standard 6.3.3 – Heat and Atmospheric/Oceanic Circulation

Universe Sandbox Lesson Plans

Fourth Grade Astronomy Kit Activities

Teacher Resources

Scavenger Hunts

Prepare your class for a field trip with an exploration guide and scavenger hunts for our exhibits. Each guide is targeted towards particular grade levels or a general audience.

Astronomy Resources

Education Resources