Patterns and cycles field trip program with Science on a Sphere

4th Grade, Middle, High

Patterns and Cycles

Students will observe weather data and patterns, and investigate the water cycle’s role in our weather systems.

Capacity: 120

4th Grade

Georgia Standards of Excellence: S6E4.1 to S6E4

Field Trip will run for 3 hours and include the following programs (in no particular order):

  • The Mark Smith Planetarium is an immersive full dome digital Space Theater that offers GSE-related astronomy programming.
  • Explore Earth’s weather systems.
  • Examine the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and their effects on weather.

  • Science On a Sphere® (SOS) is a giant six-foot sphere and unique educational tool developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that displays real-time planetary data and other visualizations.
  • Define weather.
  • Discuss specific weather instruments such as thermometer and rain gauge.
  • Review the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
  • Observe real-time cloud and precipitation data to discuss forecasting.

  • STEAM Activities occur in our designated classroom space where students learn and create through the STEAM process.
  • Explore different parts of the water cycle and discuss how water travels to each part.

  • Our newly renovated outdoor picnic area provides covered and uncovered lunch spots for our field trip groups. During this time you may visit our Museum Store.
  • Lunch should remain on the bus until lunch time as there is no storage at the Museum.
  • You may order/cater lunch for your group. Please let the Front Desk know ahead of time. The Museum is not responsible for your food order.
  • If you choose to visit the Museum Store, please send in 10 students at a time with a chaperone THROUGHOUT your lunch time. Waiting until the very end of your lunch time will slow the check-out process and may cause you to miss your final program/bus departure.

Middle School

Georgia Standards of Excellence: S6E3, S6E4.1

Field Trip will run for 3 hours and include the following programs (in no particular order):

  • The Mark Smith Planetarium is an immersive full dome digital Space Theater that offers GSE-related astronomy programming.
  • Explore Earth’s weather systems.
  • Examine the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and their effects on weather.

  • Science On a Sphere® (SOS) is a giant six-foot sphere and unique educational tool developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that displays real-time planetary data and other visualizations.
  • Review the water cycle.
  • Discuss Earth’s atmosphere, its layers, and define the greenhouse effect.
  • Observe global ocean currents and wind patterns to examine their effects on global weather and climate.

  • STEAM Activities occur in our designated classroom space where students learn and create through the STEAM process.
  • Explore different parts of the water cycle and discuss how water travels to each part.

  • Our newly renovated outdoor picnic area provides covered and uncovered lunch spots for our field trip groups. During this time you may visit our Museum Store.
  • Lunch should remain on the bus until lunch time as there is no storage at the Museum.
  • You may order/cater lunch for your group. Please let the Front Desk know ahead of time. The Museum is not responsible for your food order.
  • If you choose to visit the Museum Store, please send in 10 students at a time with a chaperone THROUGHOUT your lunch time. Waiting until the very end of your lunch time will slow the check-out process and may cause you to miss your final program/bus departure.

High School

Georgia Standards of Excellence: SES5

Field Trip will run for 3 hours and include the following programs (in no particular order):

  • The Mark Smith Planetarium is an immersive full dome digital Space Theater that offers GSE-related astronomy programming.
  • Explore Earth’s weather systems.
  • Examine the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and their effects on weather.

  • Science On a Sphere® (SOS) is a giant six-foot sphere and unique educational tool developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that displays real-time planetary data and other visualizations.
  • Discuss Earth’s atmosphere, its layers, and define the greenhouse effect.
  • Observe global ocean currents and wind patterns to examine their effects on global weather and climate.
  • Explore extreme weather and climate change.

  • STEAM Activities occur in our designated classroom space where students learn and create through the STEAM process.
  • Explore different parts of the water cycle and discuss how water travels to each part.

  • Our newly renovated outdoor picnic area provides covered and uncovered lunch spots for our field trip groups. During this time you may visit our Museum Store.
  • Lunch should remain on the bus until lunch time as there is no storage at the Museum.
  • You may order/cater lunch for your group. Please let the Front Desk know ahead of time. The Museum is not responsible for your food order.
  • If you choose to visit the Museum Store, please send in 10 students at a time with a chaperone THROUGHOUT your lunch time. Waiting until the very end of your lunch time will slow the check-out process and may cause you to miss your final program/bus departure.
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