The program, interestingly, also simulates the complex interactions among all the bodies in a system, showing the wobble effect on a star when gravitational forces act on it from different directions. It could enhance students' interests in astronomy or even, at a higher level, in astrophysics. This program can also be used as a Type III activity, by giving students time to experiment and make their own planetary systems. This task is much more challenging than it might seem, as it requires students to creatively apply their understanding of gravitational interactions and vectors to construct a complex two-dimensional model. This simulation program is a user friendly, no frills, affordable tool to provide enrichment for a wide variety of students of different ages and abilities in the regular classroom or in the resource room.
Science Is . . .
Quickies are activities that can typically be done on the spot, requiring few or no materials. Make Time activities are slightly more involved, taking approximately 30 minutes to complete. One Thing Leads to Another activities are intended to build on one another in a specific area. These are all activities that should be considered when developing a unit or a theme. Each activity description provides directions, a list of necessary materials, as well as background information on the topic being explored.