Activity 1.3: Galileo's telescope

Introduction

In this activity, students create collaboratively, using their bodies imaginatively. The concept of 'audience' is introduced – what do I want others to see? What do I see?

The activity also introduces students to Galileo, a famous astronomer whom they may wish to investigate or research further.

Students work in small groups to create images of something they might see in space while looking through a telescope. The activity uses the concept of 'framing' an image as if looking through a telescope, and also explores the concepts of 'size' and 'distance'.

Duration

15–20 minutes

Resources

• Open space large enough for students to move comfortably and safely
• Cardboard cylinders – for example, those used with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or home-made with cardboard or sturdy paper
• Simple telescope (optional) – if you have access to a simple telescope this would be a useful resource for introducing the activity

• Activity stepsShow details

  Introduction

  Using the cardboard cylinders (in pairs or one per student), have students focus on particular things in the room by looking down the cylinder with one eye closed.

  Ask them to experiment by moving closer to objects and then further away. What happens? What can they see? What parts of things go out of the frame depending on how close or far away they are?

  Alternatively, students can cup their hands into a circle and allow that to 'frame' what they are looking at, still with one eye closed.

  Drama

  1. Divide the students into groups of three or four.
  2. The students choose one of the following ideas (or make up their own):
     • the Sun rising
     • the Moon becoming full
     • a star exploding
     • a comet entering the atmosphere
     • a rocket taking off
     • an eclipse of the Sun
     • an alien spaceship landing on earth.
  3. Each of the above ideas suggests that there are a number of stages: beginning, middle and end.
  4. Encourage students to remember how they have already used their bodies to make objects and shapes about space (to remember what is possible).
  5. Have students imagine how the object will 'rise', become 'full', 'explode', come 'closer' or 'take off'. Remind them to think about the beginning, middle and end.
  6. Suggest that one person in the group imagines being the astronomer Galileo looking through the telescope to see the image – they can then help to 'direct' the action.
  7. Ask guiding questions. What is the first thing that someone would see as the Sun rose? What would they see next? What about when the Sun has finished rising? How big would it become?