Voyageurs Dark Sky Classroom
The Dark Sky Classroom is a joint-program with the National Park Service that brings the wonder of the night sky and Voyageurs National Park to your classroom! Our lessons plans support national and state standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards.
Interested in 2023 Fall Classroom Programs? Sign up for our Teacher E-Newsletter below to stay informed on program offerings.
dark sky Lessons & Classroom Visit:
These interactive lessons introduce dark sky concepts such as light pollution and northern lights, and allows students to investigate phenomena through hands-on activities. These lesson plans were created to support Next Generation Science Standards, Social Science Standards, and follow the philosophy behind the 5E Model of Instruction. This is a three-part activity, ideally spread out over the course of three separate days:
1: Pre Activity (45 - 60 minutes)
2: Activity (45 minutes): Includes a live, virtual classroom visit with a Conservancy dark skies professional
3: Post Activity (60 - 90 minutes)
Light pollution lesson Details:
Grade level: 4th grade
Setting: Virtual
Subject: Earth and Space Science
Supported Next Generation Science Standards:
3-5-ETS1 - 2 Engineering Design
DCI ESS3.C Human Impacts on Earth Systems
MS-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
5E Phases: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, Evaluation
Northern Lights Lesson Details:
Grade level: 4th grade
Setting: Virtual
Subject: Earth and Space Science / Geography
Minnesota Social Science Standards
4th Grade Strand: Geography
Substrand: Geospatial Skills 4.3.1.2.1 (current) 4.3.13.3 (2021 standards)
5E Phases: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, Evaluation
Get your classroom involved
Please answer a few questions to sign-up for our Teacher Newsletter and receive updates on Dark Sky Classroom offerings for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Voyageurs Conservancy received an Open OutDoors for Kids grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF) to support the development of our Dark Sky Classroom materials and field experiences.
Funding for this project was provided in part by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
The Trust Fund is a permanent fund constitutionally established by the citizens of Minnesota to assist in the protection, conservation, preservation, and enhancement of the state’s air, water, land, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
