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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where Am I?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Extensive background on marine navigation is provided for you as the teacher. Assign groups to research marine navigation techniques and construct astrolabes. Resource links are listed for extension ideas. If you are teaching an...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Astrolabe Lab

For Students 8th - 10th
In this astrolabe worksheet, learners use a compass rose and an astrolabe to measure altitude and azimuth of five objects in the room and 5 objects outside the room. They answer questions about these two types of measurements.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stars and Constellations

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders investigate how ancient cultures viewed their world in terms of astronomy. They read and discuss an informational handout, construct an astrolabe, and locate stars and constellations using star charts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Where to Where?

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students find locations based upon their latitude and longitude coordinates. In this latitude and longitude lesson plan, students locate points on a grid and learn how to use an astrolabe.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Azimuth and Altitude

For Students 9th - 11th
In this altitude worksheet, students define compass, azimuth, astrolabe, and altitude. Students use a protractor to determine the altitude of the given stars on a graph. This worksheet has 7 short answer questions and 8 fill in the blank...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Improve Your Astrolabe

For Students 7th - 10th
In this astrolabe worksheet, students answer questions about the astrolabe's use. They write five ways they can improve their astrolabe.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let the North Star Tell You Where You Are

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students participate in activities in which they find the Big Dipper and locate the North Star in the night sky, examine the relationship between the angle to Polaris and latitude, and determine latitude by using an astrolabe.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create an Astrolabe Instructions for Teachers

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students, who are teachers, make an astrolabe using the given pattern. They examine the uses of an astrolabe and apply the worksheets in their classrooms.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocket Physics

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars investigate the relationship between impulse, momentum, kinetic and potential energy and aerodynamic drag. In this physics lesson, students calculate data taken from launching a rocket. They compare the theoretical and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astrolabe Activity

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students study how to use an astrolabe, define terms and understand the relationship between angle and altitude.  In this astrolabe lesson students complete an activity, record their measurements and complete a handout. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Your Latitude?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students measure the height of items using an astrolabe.  In this latitude lesson students construct a sextant and determine height and latitude with it. 
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Activity
University of Oxford (UK)

The History of Scientific Instruments Used in Europe

For Students 9th - 10th
Medieval and Renaissance-era scientific instruments are catalogued and displayed. Find references to the makers of the instruments and the ways the tools were once used.
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Website
Mariners' Museum and Park

Mariners' Museum: The Ages of Exploration: Ancient

For Students 4th - 8th
This Ancient Exploration page presents marine technological innovations, types of ships, and information about Alexander the Great. It covers the period of time from 5000 BCE to 476 CE. Each item links to a page of additional information...
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Website
Mariners' Museum and Park

Mariners' Museum: Age of Exploration: Tools of Navigation

For Students 9th - 10th
Sailors improved on many of the tools used in navigation to help them in their long journeys across an ocean. On this site from the Mariners' Museum, find many of these tools, perhaps in use already in the 15th century, but made even...
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Activity
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Renaissance: Exploration and Trade

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Detailed introduction on exploration and trade during the Renaissance. Provides an overview of the tools created during the Middle Ages that made such travels by sea possible as well as insight into the types of goods traders sought in...
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Graphic
University of Oxford (UK)

Mhs: Astrolabe Chronology

For Students 9th - 10th
Find examples of models of the astrolabe arranged in chronological order. The Museum of the History of Science houses the largest collection of astrolabes and many are shown on this site. Click on each one for a close-up lock and...
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Website
Other

Boat Safe Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
This is a delightful site about boats and boating. Lots of games plus a terrific overview of the history of navigation. Includes a visit to a reproduction of Columbus' Nina.
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Handout
University of St. Andrews (UK)

University of St. Andrews: Mariner's Astrolabe (1616)

For Students 9th - 10th
A page on the Mariner's Astrolabe describes its origins and how it is used. A photo also accompanies the article.
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Activity
University of California

At Home Astronomy: Hands on Science Experiments for the Entire Family

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of ten hands-on science experiments for the entire family that will help you understand concepts in astronomy. Make an astrolabe, find the size of the sun and moon, build a lunar settlement, find out about meteoroids, shadow...
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Website
University of Hawai'i

History of an Astrolabe

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers a definition and history of the astrolabe. There are links for additional information and acitivities.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Shackleton's Antarctic Odyssey: Let the North Star Tell You Where

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Through this lesson, students will understand how to determine latitude and locate specific stars in the night sky. They will also have a chance to build and use an astrolabe.
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Handout
University of Calgary

Uof C: Advances in Shipbuilding and Navigation

For Students 9th - 10th
This site gives information on technical advances in Portuguese shipbuilding and navigational tools.
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Unit Plan
Institute and Museum of the History of Science

Museo Galileo: Multimedia: Video: Astronomical Use of the Plane Astrolabe

For Students 9th - 10th
Invented in ancient Egypt, the plane astrolabe is a tool used by astronomers and navigators to determine time and identifying positions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets. Read text or view the video to understand the details of its...
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Activity
Annenberg Foundation

Annenberg Learner: Renaissance Explorers

For Students 9th - 10th
Overview of the motives behind the exploration of the "new world" during the Renaissance. Discusses the trading that took place between the "new world" and Europe and various riches offered in Mexico and Latin America.