According to Space.com, all the planets, stars, and galaxies that we can see today only make up about 4% of the universe. So what exists in the other 96%? Well, scientists don't really know... yet!
So, let's stick to what we DO know about our universe. Here are five fun space-themed things to teach your kids this week:
1. A silly joke.
Do aliens like jokes? I'm not sure, but at least you can impress your Earthly friends with this one:
What's the best way to host a birthday party on Mars? You planet.
2. A new vocabulary word.
Did you know that there's a group of 13,000+ people who work together to name the stars? Members of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) are responsible for approving and cataloging the names of every comet, asteroid, galaxy, and nebulae.
Polaris is another name for the North Star and can be found on the tip of the Little Dipper's handle. On a clear night, you can use the Big Dipper's cup to guide you to its location.
3. A word puzzle.
To solve a rebus, consider not just the words, but the placement, size, color, and quantity of everything within the box (and sometimes just outside the box!) when trying to decipher the puzzle. This week, also take into account the theme of "space."
4. A fun fact.
Have you ever wanted to travel to space? Getting there takes a whole lot of ingenuity, and thanks to problem-solving engineers, many of our everyday household products were once created to help explore space.
Did you know that many of the items we use in everyday life were once invented for space exploration? Dustbusters, computer mice, memory foam, freeze-dried foods, camera phones, wireless headsets, invisible braces, and baby formula are just SOME of the incredible products that have evolved from problem-solving for space. Want to learn more about how these technologies came to be? Read USA Today's round-up of space inventions.
5. Teach a personal discovery.
Imagine if you could just float your way down the street. Well, that's what it'd feel like if you were hanging out on the moon. But on Jupiter? Ugh! Your legs would feel like they're full of lead.
How much do you weigh on the moon? How about on Mars, Neptune, or even the sun? Use the Exploratorium's Space Weight Calculator to find out. Then compare the values to learn which intergalactic destination is most similar to Earth in regards to its gravitational pull.
"Learning never exhausts the mind." - Leonardo DiVinci
Did you learn something new? Now's the time to pass that knowledge on! Be sure to come back next week for another five FUN things to teach your kids.
