Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Project: Pringles Can Constellation Viewer

This looks hard but it's so much fun.
Illustrated steps:
Teachers: Leave your email in a comment and I'll send you the 4 constellation templates. :-)
From: Mr. Petersen's class ~ Katy, Texas
Tape 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock page around the can.

Use a half sheet to cover the remaining surface.

Label and decorate the tube with an Astronomy theme.

Use a large size push pin to make a starting hole in the center of the metal end. Use a small screw driver to enlarge the hole. This is your viewfinder.

Trace and cut out 12 black circles. These should fit snugly in the lid. Cut out the 12 constellation circles.

Take one off of each stack. You will have a total of 12 constellations. Keep these even after you make the black 'final' copies.

Use a small push pin to make holes. Put the white paper on top of the black and push through both layers. Use the carpet as a cushion. Put everything in your baggie and label the baggie with your name and grade.

Take one of your constellations and put it in the star gazer. Point it toward a strong light and look through the viewfinder. Strong light will make the stars 'twinkle'!


Put your baggie inside the star gazer for storage. Take it home and show your family. BONUS: Learn all 12 by memory before you show your family.

76 comments:

  1. Awesome! Would love the patterns!

    iteachreaders@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'd love to have a copy of your template...your's seem much easier to see and understand for the students. Thanks for the pictures...it helps me understand how to do it with my students MUCH better. My email is ktlcindytyson@yahoo.com. I teach 3rd grade!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great project and directions! I am also a GT teacher and would love to do this with my students. Could you please send the constellation patterns?
    Thanks,
    C. Fuqua
    cfuqua@henry.k12.ga.us

    ReplyDelete
  4. would love the patterns! Love the step by step instructions!

    etkcc01@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mr. Petersen, I'd love a copy of the templates, please! Thanks so much! -Jenna

    parks.intern@vigocounty.in.gov

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love how simple your constellation project is...how do we get the templates for the constellations?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just send me your school email address and I can attach them to your email address. :0)

      Delete
    2. I'd like to have the templates, please! Thank you.

      Delete
  7. I would love to get the templates for the constellations...sounds like a great project to do with the kids at the library I work. Thanks!

    karen@saline.lib.mi.us

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great project! Please send to littlelightningbugs@gmail.com
    Thanks!
    Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fabulous idea! i would love the templates to use this Wednesday for science lab time! :) Thank you for sharing! carolynnyates@mac.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Looking forward to this project. Please send the templates to daycare@stmarysgi.com. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This looks wonderful. The instructions are easy to follow to make it easy to organize this lesson. Please send the templates to jamiedagenais@gmail.com Thank you so much!

    ReplyDelete
  12. dturner@trrl.org would love to receive a copy of the constellations you used. Thank you for sharing your idea!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have been looking for this pattern. Thanks so much. Great modeling. Please send medwards@roxanaschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  14. This looks like a great pattern! Please send it to roellm80@gmail.com. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Would like to make these. Please send the constellation templates e.forder@eldwick.bradford.sch.uk

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have done this project for years, but have lost the templates - would love to have a copy. hattendorf@ogschool.org

    ReplyDelete
  17. This is a lovely project. I live in Brazil and I loved this. Could you send me the templates, please? hugopendragons@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've been searching for my patterns to no avail as I used this activity several years ago and have the model, but no constellation templates. I would appreciate a copy of your set please. I love the process steps you posted also. Thanks!


    pnelson@nazarethasd.org

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am a third grade teacher in California and I would love to have a copy of the templates. asanders@sandi.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would love the templates! Awesome idea!

    jgallagher@quakerschool.org

    Jenn

    ReplyDelete
  21. Would love to have the templates for this project it is very well suited for my special needs students! Awesome blog!
    lpatch@wps60.org

    ReplyDelete
  22. Great idea and my 3rd graders will love making these as part of our solar system unit! I would love the templates! Thanks in advance!

    waterskifamily@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great idea, will definitely use this as an activity.

    bsbillingslea@atlanta.k12.ga.us

    ReplyDelete
  24. I would love the templates for my class. laura.brewer@gcssk12.net THANKS so much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Please send templates to kanitz@marshfield.k12.wi.us

    THank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. clari_20@yahoo.com
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  27. Would love the template copies for my 3rd grade class!
    talanerie@chpa-k12.org

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love it!

    I want the templates, please ^^

    inahoola@aim.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I would like to use this idea with some of my junior high students. Could you send me the templates please. :)

    meggan.smith@sendit.nodak.edu

    ReplyDelete
  30. Can you send me the templates too. Thanks!
    twier@godfrey-lee.org

    ReplyDelete
  31. My daughter just started her Star constellation unit study today. This would be a great addition to her lessons. I would LOVE it if I could have the templates so I could work with her on this. She was so excited she said " Mom, can we go buy "prinkels" now. I'll use my money. So cute and I love the excitement she has to start this. Thank you so much for sharing.

    mommyofjs@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. lbabcock@rockprairiemontessori.com

    Thank you! Neat idea!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I am a third grade teacher in Florida nad would like a copy of the templates.
    susan_umbras@ccps.k12.fl.us
    Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  34. Please send me the templates for the constellations. Thank you!!!
    mckinney.casey.l@muscogee.k12.ga.us

    ReplyDelete
  35. Please send the templates for the constellations. This is wonderful! I taught for 32 years, did this experiment with my 6th graders for many years. When I retired in 2004, I gave my experiment notes and "stuff" to a good friend in the same area. Now, I need this for a friend who is teaching a 3 month course in hands on science in SWEDEN! I created the first set of Pringles Star Gazers and templates in the mid-nineties. Every year, the incoming 6th graders were excited about this experiment because they had seen the ones from the last year's sixth graders. I'm sooo glad you have the templates, so I won't have to do them from scratch.

    Thank you,
    Callie Goodrum callie@cgoodrum.com
    and
    Kim Magnuson kimberlyg_01@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow! Yes, I'll send them right away.
    David/:0)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi David: I've tried posting below but it doesn't seemed to come through (unless it takes a few hours to show up). I would love to get your constellation templates for our annual astronomy club picnic coming up in three weeks. We invite the families, so we have numerous children of amateur astronomers there. We had just discussed such a project last night. My email is separated like Jennifer's below, to prevent spam-bots. Thanks for this project and for promoting astronomy to the next generation. julie at jkdance. com

      Delete
  37. I love the idea! I am teaching a summer camp for my children and a couple of neighbors. We used rocks and sidewalk chalk yesterday to make constellations. Will you please send the templates to michelje17@yahoo.com
    We are having a backyard camp out Friday for the neighborhood, and would love to share this with all the kids.
    Thank you,
    Jeannine

    ReplyDelete
  38. I would love to have a copy of your constellation templates. My husband is taking his telescope to several star parties this summer and this would be a great project for kids to work on as they wait for it to get dark. Fabulous idea. Thank you.

    sandybee@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a wonderful idea! I would love a copy of your templates! jennifer _ dallman at earthlink . net
    Sorry for separating out the email, but I don't want spam bots to get ahold of it!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thank You for your wonderful project. We are studying astronomy this year and would like a copy of the templates if they are still available. Very much appreaciated! ccfoundationsmom@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I would love a copy of the templates! Photographs were very helpful!
    doug.mel.drown@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. I would love to have a copy of the templates. Awesome project!
    bmckenzie@floydboe.net

    ReplyDelete
  43. I just found this site. I would love a copy of the templates! I need any assistance I can find to work with 10 newly acquired gifted students.
    tlcinsyl@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Please send my a copy of the template. The pictures help tremendously!

    tracey_f_w_98@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow, very nice projec!. In about a month I will hav to teach a group of boy scouts about astronomy. This would be a nice activitty to do. I would like to receive the templates at scheenen@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. Would love the templates please! doralclassicalconversations@gmail.com
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wonderful ! Can I have the templates please ? Thank you very much. A french teatcher ;)
    stephaniemichelle@free.fr

    ReplyDelete
  48. Are you still sending copy of the constellations? I am not a GT teacher but would love a copy! meander100@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Could you send me the templates please? lhoying2012@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Hi, I'd also like the templates. My email address is dgirardi-reed@friendshipschools.org

    ReplyDelete
  51. Sorry, I did not put my email (ding dong) erie_rise@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would love you templates, please. What grade did you do this project with? Thank you!!
    pricesh@tulsaschools.org

    Thanks!
    Shantel

    ReplyDelete
  53. This will be a perfect activity for my unit on Earth and Beyond with my 2nd graders. I would love to have a copy of your templates, your site is great by the way! Thank-you very much

    ReplyDelete
  54. OOPS my e-mail is cherylthibeault@vpsb.k12.la.us

    ReplyDelete
  55. These templates are wonderful. Would love a copy! Email to gwynstout@icloud.com

    ReplyDelete
  56. Would love a copy!! jroper@wisd.org

    ReplyDelete
  57. Super Cool, Mr. Petersen.
    Would love to get the templates if possible.
    Thanks
    dmussereagle@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. I would love a copy of your templates for scouts. kskitn@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  59. I would love to get a copy of your templates for my students.
    peppy1195@gmail.com

    Thanks,
    Terry Sue

    ReplyDelete
  60. Please send a copy of your templates
    brand363@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Hi ...I would love a copy of the constellation templates for my daughters first grade science project! These are awesome!!! Thanks ...
    jcelsimmons@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  62. Please send the constellation templates to bacmomx3@msn.com. Making these for my science lab. Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  63. Nlberane@oakland.edu template please! Im using this for my lesson plan in my classroom

    ReplyDelete
  64. Please send a copy would love to do this next week...kavery420.ka@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  65. Please send me a copy of your template. janew@usdb.org

    ReplyDelete
  66. I would love these templates! This looks awesome!
    cs.childs@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  67. We would love to make these with our Cub Scouts! Could you please send me a copy of the templates?
    Thank you, Jenn112780@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  68. These will work great for the Cub Scouts I work with. They would love making these. Could you please send me the templates?
    Thank you! thill@notquiteamountain.com

    ReplyDelete
  69. Thanks for sending me the templates I really appreciate your generosity!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I would love to receive the templates. This is a fabulous idea. Thanks for sharing.
    rrschiller@cox.net

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by our classroom website and leaving positive comments! Mr. Petersen :-)