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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.

4th Grade SEEd Astronomy – Curriculum for Utah 4th grade SEEd 4.4

Why is the Sun so much brighter than other stars? Why do the Sun, Moon and stars appear to move across the sky? Clark Planetarium has developed kinesthetic activities to help your students engage in science practices to explain these phenomena, and produced a teacher resource kit with all the materials used in these activities.

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.

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).

Heat Transfer – Curriculum for 6th-grade SEEd 6.2, and 6.3

Teachers will be guided through a hands-on activity developed to teach about heat transfer. Using infrared laser thermometers, we will examine the temperatures of various objects, try to explain why differences are observed, then expand the activity to include controlled experiments with heat lamps and specific materials. Through the recording and graphing of collected data, teachers will see first-hand how various materials respond to heat. The activity also provides a foundation for expanding the topic into climate and the urban heat island affect. For information about your district contact and to request a “Heat Transfer” teacher resource kit, contact clarkeducation@slco.org.

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 of 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  

Heat Transfer – Curriculum for 6th-grade SEEd 6.2, and 6.3

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