Planetary Science Program

presents

Journey through the Solar System

(A Science Field Trip for Grades 3 - 6)

The Planetary Science Program (PSP) is proud to present "Journey through the Solar System", a science education field trip program.

Since our Science Education Field Trip Program began in 1992, over 25,000 children have attended. Each year, approximately 1,200 school children visit the Planetary Science Program to learn about Physical Science and Planetary Science in particular.

To reserve a field trip date:  Planetary Science Program
phone: (949) 495-4949      fax: (949) 493-1310      email: PSProgram@sbcglobal.net

Click here for map to Field Trip Location.

Field Trip Description

Science Education specific to many California Science Content Standards required by the California State Board of Education appropriate for 3rd through 6th grade students are met during the Planetary Science Program's 2½-hour "Journey through the Solar System" field trip program. A detailed workbook, pictures, exciting and fun demonstrations involving liquid nitrogen, dry ice, and high voltage electrical discharges as well as student participation in various "hands-on" activities are used to enhance the presentation. Teachers are also provided with a workbook which contains answers to questions plus suggested in-class activities.

The first portion of the program presents a basic understanding of the solar system covering the size and location of the Sun, planets, and asteroids. Demonstrations involving light and "rainbows", electrical discharges, planetary orbital motion, relative sizes of the Sun, Earth, and Jupiter as well as their relative distances, provide a stimulating learning environment.

After a short break there is a seventy-five minute hands-on activity period. Students are placed in groups of 4-7 students and spend about 5-7 minutes using equipment that demonstrates a particular aspect of planetary science. As a group, students rotate to each of the activity locations and investigate phases of the moon, plants in the solar system, color and spectra, heat, telescopes and images, and view a large projected image of the Sun.

The final portion of the program provides exciting demonstrations involving concentrated light, extremely low temperatures with liquid nitrogen, sublimation of a solid, implosion due to pressure differences, and high voltage electrical discharges. These demonstrations all demonstrate processes that take place naturally on planets or could involve equipment in outer space.

The program presenters are either retired or active science teachers and they keep abreast of the latest pertinent scientific achievements. This helps ensure that the information presented is correct and up-to-date.

On-Site Field Trip Details

Student Grade Level and Time:

• Friday beginning at 9:30 a.m. (for schools with longer commuting time, we can adjust the start time of the program)
• Third through Sixth Grade Students
• Multiple-Grade Home School Groups

Location:

Shepherd of the Hills Church
30111 Niguel Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Parking:

FREE auto and bus parking is located adjacent to the field trip presentation location.

Duration:

Field trips are approximately two hours and thirty minutes in entirety. A grassy area is adjacent to the facilities for lunch and recreation use. Benches and low-stone walls are available to sit on for students and adults.

Cost:

$7 per student; daily group minimum charge is $210 (which covers the cost of the first 30 students in attendance). A group is all the children from one school attending a field trip on a given day (generally 40-80 students). Fee is payable in advance or at the time of the field trip by cash or check. There is NO CHARGE for teachers and parents.

Parent / Teacher Participation:

PSP suggests 1 adult (in addition to the teachers) for every 6 students in attendance. Adults are expected to supervise students at one of various "hands-on" activity stations. Parents frequently comment how interesting the activities are and how this can help them with home support for science education with their children.

California Science Content Standards:
Our field trip program relates directly to the following Science Content Standards categories: