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Science: Space

One World, One Sky

You don't need a spaceship to learn about the sun, moon, and stars -- just a little imagination! When Big Bird, Elmo, and their friend from China, Hu Hu Zhu, take an imaginary trip to the moon, they learn amazing things along the way.

Now Playing: Elmo in the Sky
  • Elmo in the Sky
  • Talking to the Moon
  • Planets, Moon and Stars
  • Buzz Aldrin and Alex: Space
  • Postcard From Space Camp
  • Starry Night Rhymes

Explore the Tools in the Kit:

Read quick facts, download resource guides, and more!
  • Fun Facts
  • Tips

Nurture your child's scientific curiosity and sense of wonder by taking your own fun adventure to the sky. Afterward, look in books or go online to collect facts about the places you "visited." Discovering more about the universe helps your child build an appreciation for the one world and one sky that we all share.
 

  • Did you know the sun is actually a star? It looks bigger and brighter than all the other stars because it's much closer to us.
  • You can't fly a kite on the moon because there is no wind.
  • The stars in the sky are thousands of millions of years old.
  • Everything weighs about six times less on the moon than it does on earth.

#1 Talk About the Sky
Together, look at the sky and talk about what you see. Ask your child: What do you see when you look at the sky during the day? What do you see when you look at the sky at night? What do you notice about the sun? The moon? The stars?
 
#2 Exploring the Light of the Sun
Outside on a sunny day, try blocking the sun's light to create shadows. Your child can move her body and observe how her shadow changes. Make shadow puppets with your hands or stand side-by-side and compare shadows.
  
#3 Exploring the Light of the Sun
Encourage your child to draw a picture of herself with the sun and her shadow. She could even write or tell a story about her shadow.
 
#4 Finding Patterns in the Stars
Go stargazing! Together, look for the Big Dipper or other patterns in the stars. How many stars can you count?
 
#5 Finding Patterns in the Stars 
What shapes or patterns can you find when you connect the stars? Do you see a bear? A spaceship? Use your imagination to create stories or songs about the patterns you see.
 
#6 Adventures on the Moon
Talk about how the moon does not look the same every night. Keep a moon journal: Look out your window each night and have your child draw the moon's shape.
 
#7 Adventures on the Moon
Before bedtime, look for the moon and talk about what it would be like to go there. How would you get there? What would you wear? What might you see?

About This Project

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure was created as part of a global partnership between the Adler Planetarium; Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit education organization behind Sesame Street; the Beijing Planetarium; and the Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ). It featured a planetarium show and education outreach materials for children ages 4 - 6 and their families, teachers, and caregivers.

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