Astronomy Classes
Exciting Astronomy Classes are 45 minutes to 1 hour for students in grades K-8 (Ages 5-13) and include fun and challenging STEM hands-on activities. Here's what people are saying about these classes:
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June 23, 2022: Awesome! My 12yr old even wrote down facts to keep so she could share her knowledge. Kevin made it really interesting and because of that we signed up for another one! Great program for those hot summer days and cool nights to look at the stars and learn more about them. - Isabelle Hockert
Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe May 24, 2022: My son loved this class! The teacher was amazing and really loved the content he was presenting and it was contagious! - Ross Palmer A Grand Tour of the Solar System & Beyond May 16, 2022: We met Kevin at Dixon, Illinois, where my kids got to watch a meteor shower with him, and he answered all my children's questions and took pictures with them. He helped make unforgettable memories my kids will cherish for their entire lifetime! - Amy Tarpein May 14, 2022: Kevin Manning's presentations are fantastic. They are engaging and filled with well-organized astronomy information. I am pursuing a degree in aerospace engineering, enkindled in part by Kevin's presentations that I attended when I was younger. - Nicholas Bohn May 13, 2022: I've seen 5 or 6 different presentations given by Kevin Manning. They are fascinating presentations, suitable for elementary school to older folks like me. Kevin knows this material so well (being a real astronomer!) that he can answer any question an attendee might have about our solar system, our galaxy, and the universe of stars and planets. Fantastic presentations are given by Kevin, well worth his very reasonable fee. I can't recommended him highly enough! 5 stars! - Mary Keesling, Assistant Branch Manager for Pasco County Library Mar 15, 2022: This class was a fantastic opportunity for my son who dreams of one day becoming an astronomer. The instructor is incredibly knowledgeable and patient. My son loved the experiment making craters in flour and learning more facts about our solar system and the instruments we use to study it. Many thanks to Mr. Kevin Manning for sharing his brilliance and experience with my son and inspiring him. - Charlotte B. A Grand Tour of the Solar System & Beyond Mar 5, 2022: This class was interesting, engaging, and informative for my kids (ages 11, 9, 6) and me. Everyone left feeling inspired! - Kaye Herbert (Elijah, 11 years) - A Grand Tour of the Solar System & Beyond Jan 31, 2022: The teacher was engaging and kind. My child enjoyed learning about astronomy and space. The teacher used a variety of different media and teaching techniques to engage students. The teacher has a strong background in the areas of astronomy and space. - Erika S. Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy Jan 28, 2022 Very professional, informative, and fun teacher. He goes above and beyond. My nine-year-old daughter loved the class. - Melissa C. Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe Jan 23, 2022: Fantastic class! My daughter thoroughly enjoyed this class! We will be taking more classes with him in the future! - Marcella Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy Dec 17, 2021: My son (8) absolutely LOVED this class. He ran over to hug me at least 4 times during it to say thank you for signing him up. The teachers extensive knowledge and passion are evident and the clips he includes to show during class hold younger children's attention and spark curiosity and questions. My son is Twice Exceptional (gifted+adhd), so he can bit quite socially awkward, and Kevin was kind, patient, and engaging with him. I highly recommend this class for any child interested in Space and wanting to go beyond just the basics with an instructor who is clearly an expert and therefore has the ability to pivot off topic and actually answer the random questions kids may have about space and the skies. - Heather F. Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy |
Dec 19, 2021 My 5 year old twins really enjoyed this class so much so we ended up taking 2 classes from Mr. Kevin over the thanksgiving break. - Erica - Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe
Sep 28, 2021: Great class! Amazing pictures kids rarely seen! Open-eye experience and bits of knowledge about space and stars! What a knowledgeable and nice teacher! - Sarah Y (Andrew, 5 years) Jul 10, 2021: Very interesting for my son and Kevin took a lot of care explaining the material. - Ginger Tong (Nathaniel, 9 years) June 10, 2021: Kevin's program is so much fun and informative for those curious young minds. I would highly recommend to those who are interested in having STEM programs. - Gloucester City Library Apr 21, 2021: Kids won't stop talking about this class!! My daughter 11, and son 9 both enjoyed it very very much. It is super fun and interesting (even for me listening from the side!) He answered any questions kids had with the easiest way to understand. I'd really love to sign up again if there will be another different class!! - Asaka Rieser (Kai, 10 years) Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy Mar 23, 2021: Wonderful class! Thoughtful, well-paced class with videos and music to keep my six year old engaged. Highly recommend for those interested in learning about space. - Zachary Haynes (Georgia, 7 years) Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy Feb 1, 2021: It was great. My daughter really loved it and the professor was so nice, knowledgeable, and generous with his time. - Nkenge Pacurar (Jahzara, 7 years) - Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy Dec 28, 2020: My 6-year-old was completely engrossed; I’d never seen him so engaged in an online class before. Afterward, he wanted to hang all of his worksheets on his bedroom wall. - Catherine Jun (Asher, 7 years) Virtual Astronomy and Space Academy Dec 22, 2020: From my daughter, who took the class: ‘I learned a lot about space, a lot about stars, and about light years.’ She was super excited and said they calculated how many miles in a light year. Thank you! - Kristin Michaelson - Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe Dec 21, 2020: Kevin was superb. He went above and beyond inspiring a 7-year-old to develop an appreciation for astronomy. Well done. Thank you. - Colleen S (Annabel, 8 years) - Virtual Astronomy and Space Academy October 14, 2020: Everyone who attended the program was talking about it for weeks afterward. Thank you for providing such an enjoyable evening for our community. It was a very informative program and we appreciate all you did to make the evening such a success! - Carrie Falk, Library Director at Shenandoah Public Library October 14, 2020: My son, Richard and I attended your lecture at the Hampton Bays library last week. Richard is still talking about it! He is so inspired about the universe -it is amazing to see him grow and learn. Attending your lecture was a real treat - thank you. - Jennifer Tiska Aug 6, 2020: My daughter loved this class. The instructor gave clear instructions and was very helpful. - Danuvia Tejada (Ivy Johnson, 8 years) |
Choose any of the 4 different classes listed below, scroll down to that class to read the description and select the date to enroll your child. Note that each class meets at a different time every day M-F and don't overlap with another class and all are given in Eastern Time in the United States. Costs for all classes are only $25 each ($22 discount from the regular rate of $47).
11:00 am - 11:50 am ET
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12:00 pm - 12:50 pm ET
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1:00 pm - 1:50 pm ET
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2:00 pm - 2:50 pm ET
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Virtual Astronomy & Space Academy is a one-time introductory class giving an overview of our awesome universe and the technology used to understand its nature such as telescopes and space exploration. It is offered for ages 5-13. This class will help generate interest and foster scientific literacy in children through the delivery of an awe-inspiring, educational, and entertaining astronomy program. Truly breathtaking images, video clips and fun STEM hands-on activities make for an unforgettable cosmic journey. Children can be inspired to think big, dream big, and to foster curiosity about an enormous universe in which the boundaries appear unlimited. With the understanding of some simple terminology and concepts, the children are better informed about space and the celestial objects that reside overhead. The spark of interest often ignites in young minds where the ABC’s of the universe are brought to light.
Introduction: It's a clear sky tonight. How do you feel when you look up at the heavens? Do you wish upon a star, dream bigger and think "outside the box," or do you wonder what it would be like to know more about what's up there? Albert Einstein said the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. It's true, and I can help you reach far beyond what you can see in these easy lessons while dispelling myths and misconceptions.
Purpose: This class is based on the principles and concepts of the nature of the universe and will provide an overview and appreciation for the observable universe and space exploration. To accomplish this aim, concepts are developed with reference to everyday experiences.
Teaching Method: Screen sharing using an MS PowerPoint slides with incredible images and exciting video clips. Clarifying questions can be asked through live interaction, and time for addressing in depth questions submitted via the chat box will be given at the end of the slides.
Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes two STEM hands-on activities described by topic below. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with.
Topical concepts:
• The sun is studied as a model star and compared with other stars
• The earth is studied as a model planet and compared with other planets, and our natural spaceship from which we explore
• The moon is studied as our nearest neighbor in space and first interest in space exploration
o Activity 1: Faces on the Moon
o Early and future missions
Role of the Orion capsule and Gateway station
• Interest in investigating the planet Mars
o Water and signs of life from the past
o Technology used to get there and investigate
• Star patterns in asterisms and constellations
o Activity 2: Constellations
o Star color and brightness
• Star clusters, nebulae and galaxies
o Black holes and galactic collisions
• Be a cosmic explorer
o Many unanswered questions about the universe
Introduction: It's a clear sky tonight. How do you feel when you look up at the heavens? Do you wish upon a star, dream bigger and think "outside the box," or do you wonder what it would be like to know more about what's up there? Albert Einstein said the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible. It's true, and I can help you reach far beyond what you can see in these easy lessons while dispelling myths and misconceptions.
Purpose: This class is based on the principles and concepts of the nature of the universe and will provide an overview and appreciation for the observable universe and space exploration. To accomplish this aim, concepts are developed with reference to everyday experiences.
Teaching Method: Screen sharing using an MS PowerPoint slides with incredible images and exciting video clips. Clarifying questions can be asked through live interaction, and time for addressing in depth questions submitted via the chat box will be given at the end of the slides.
Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes two STEM hands-on activities described by topic below. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with.
Topical concepts:
• The sun is studied as a model star and compared with other stars
• The earth is studied as a model planet and compared with other planets, and our natural spaceship from which we explore
• The moon is studied as our nearest neighbor in space and first interest in space exploration
o Activity 1: Faces on the Moon
o Early and future missions
Role of the Orion capsule and Gateway station
• Interest in investigating the planet Mars
o Water and signs of life from the past
o Technology used to get there and investigate
• Star patterns in asterisms and constellations
o Activity 2: Constellations
o Star color and brightness
• Star clusters, nebulae and galaxies
o Black holes and galactic collisions
• Be a cosmic explorer
o Many unanswered questions about the universe
This class will help generate interest and foster scientific literacy in children through the delivery of an awe-inspiring, educational, and entertaining astronomy program. Truly breathtaking images, video clips and fun STEM hands-on activities make for an unforgettable cosmic journey. Clarifying questions can be asked through live interaction, and time for addressing in depth questions submitted via the chat box will be given at the end of the slides.
Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes two STEM hands-on activities on the moon and constellations. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with.
Topics: The sun, earth, space exploration to the moon and Mars, star color and brightness including patterns in asterisms and constellations, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, black holes, galactic collisions, looking at matter from subatomic particles to superclusters of galaxies, and the entire universe. It's a virtual journey throughout the cosmos describing celestial objects and how they were formed as well as their relative sizes compared with each other.
The only requirement is curiosity and interest in the universe.
Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes two STEM hands-on activities on the moon and constellations. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with.
Topics: The sun, earth, space exploration to the moon and Mars, star color and brightness including patterns in asterisms and constellations, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies, black holes, galactic collisions, looking at matter from subatomic particles to superclusters of galaxies, and the entire universe. It's a virtual journey throughout the cosmos describing celestial objects and how they were formed as well as their relative sizes compared with each other.
The only requirement is curiosity and interest in the universe.
A virtual journey visiting the Sun, planets, their moons, and debris left over from the earliest times of the solar system's formation. A detailed look at Pluto as the New Horizons spacecraft took very high resolution images of this elusive and controversial world after waiting 9 ½ years to reach it since launch in January, 2006. What a surprise it turned out to be, having more geologic activity than anyone thought possible. Solar System debris includes a look at comets, meteors and asteroids. Also, a brief introduction to our exoplanet survey.
Learning Goals
1: Earth’s Place in the Universe
Using an orrery and other digitally graphic mechanical models of the solar system, galaxy and universe, positions and motions according to the heliocentric model are represented.
2: The Solar System
Comparative planetology with rocky worlds and gas giants, orbital dynamics, mass, size, moons, role of the sun.
3: Comets, meteors, asteroids and other solar system debris are addressed.
4: Search for extrasolar planets and the instruments used to discover them.
Learning Goals
1: Earth’s Place in the Universe
Using an orrery and other digitally graphic mechanical models of the solar system, galaxy and universe, positions and motions according to the heliocentric model are represented.
2: The Solar System
Comparative planetology with rocky worlds and gas giants, orbital dynamics, mass, size, moons, role of the sun.
3: Comets, meteors, asteroids and other solar system debris are addressed.
4: Search for extrasolar planets and the instruments used to discover them.
When you wish upon a star, wouldn't it be good to know which star it is and what constellation it lies in? Objects in the night sky can be pinpointed with a little understanding of the celestial sphere and its coordinates. Hands-on activities using star charts will serve to bring the point home.
Purpose: This class is based on an appreciation and understanding of the night sky and how to locate objects within it. To accomplish this aim, concepts are developed with reference to circles and angular distances within and across constellation boundaries around the earth.
Teaching Method: Screen sharing using an MS PowerPoint slides with incredible images and exciting video clips. Clarifying questions can be asked through live interaction, and time for addressing in depth questions submitted via the chat box will be given at the end of the slides.
Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes some STEM hands-on activities described by topic below. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with.
Topics Include:
• Celestial sphere and angular measurements
• Celestial coordinates of right ascension and declination
• Using star charts
• Sidereal motion
• Messier objects
Purpose: This class is based on an appreciation and understanding of the night sky and how to locate objects within it. To accomplish this aim, concepts are developed with reference to circles and angular distances within and across constellation boundaries around the earth.
Teaching Method: Screen sharing using an MS PowerPoint slides with incredible images and exciting video clips. Clarifying questions can be asked through live interaction, and time for addressing in depth questions submitted via the chat box will be given at the end of the slides.
Materials: The provided PDF packet must be printed BEFORE the class. It includes a Daily Observation Log with instructions for the student to record their own observations of the night sky in their back yard or a nearby park or schoolyard as a homework assignment. It also includes some STEM hands-on activities described by topic below. Students will need a pen or pencil to write and draw with.
Topics Include:
• Celestial sphere and angular measurements
• Celestial coordinates of right ascension and declination
• Using star charts
• Sidereal motion
• Messier objects