To the excitement of students and staff, Orbit Earth returned to Clearview Elementary Thursday, the second time it’s been presented at the school.

 

Sponsored by the PTA, Orbit Earth is a space science experience that uses a giant inflatable earth, sun, moon and other planets brought directly to the school to teach students how the universe works.

 

It was brought to Clearview for the first time last year. Teachers were so enthusiastic about the program they asked for the PTA to bring it back again this year. They were especially impressed how the presentations cover so many of their curriculum requirements.

 

The assembly coincided perfectly for Clearview’s third-graders, who had just recently been studying the solar system.

 

Throughout the day, each grade was given grade-appropriate, individual presentations that taught Minnesota academic standards. The students were in awe of the giant models and were especially excited when the room was darkened and spotlights were used.

 

During the presentation, students “journeyed” to space to learn about cycles, systems and relationships between the earth, moon and sun using the scale-sized model inflatables, learning about eclipses, seasons, phases of the moon, day/night cycles, rotation versus revolution, gravity, the order of the planets and more.

Sunday’s super blood wolf moon was also discussed during the class assemblies.

 

Like the previous year, Orbit Earth was planned to be the highlight of Clearview’s Science Family Fun Night later that evening. However, due to the weather the event had to be canceled. Clearview teachers had planned a number of experiments for students to take part in to go along with the presentation, which may be used in a future family fun night.

 

The interactive science experiences were brought to the school by SparkPoint Innovations, a company that travels to elementary and middle schools around the country delivering astronomy and geology programs designed to help students get excited about space and earth science.

 

Clearview’s next family fun night is planned for Feb. 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Clearview Forest.