DIY Sun Science

DIY Sun Science is dedicated to studying and understanding the Sun. In DIY Sun Science, there are three main sections that include: (1) Activities, (2) Images+Videos, and (3) Observatory. The “Activities” section contains 13 different experiments that users can complete to better understand a phenomenon attributed to the Sun. Each experiment includes a summary, materials, instruction, and explanation for users. The “Images+Videos” section includes a library of media dedicated to the Sun, and the videos are classified into categories that include Last 48 Hours of the Sun, The Dynamic Sun, Studying the Sun, and Sun-Earth Connections. The “Observatory” section includes three areas that let users explore, learn, and complete puzzles about the Sun. The “Explore” and “Puzzles” sections include interactive activities dedicated to the Sun, and the “Learn” section includes short explanations for phenomena attributed to the Sun.

Instructional Ideas

1. As an extended-learning activity, teachers can let students pick an experiment from the “Activities” section of this app to complete at home. Next, students can report on their experience with completing the activity, and the report can take a traditional paper-and-pencil form or it can be made digitally using the Prezi, PowerPoint, Jimdo, or FlowVella apps. Teachers can then reserve class time for students to share their reports.
2. Teachers can assign students a video from this app’s “Studying the Sun” collection. Students can be required to view the video and then analyze it. Points for analysis include a summary of the video, questions they may have about the video’s topic, and an explanation of why the video is important. Analyses can be written using the UX Write, Office Offline, and Documents Free app. The analyses can be emailed to the teacher, who can post them to a class website.
3. Under the “Explore” option in the “Observatory” section of this app, students can compare the different views of the Sun with the options provided. Students can also click the “Learn” option to further study the app. When ready, students can use the Venn Diagram, Pic Collage, Lekh Diagrams, or Popplet app to document their comparisons.
4. When assigned an extended-learning project about the Sun, students can use this app to research the different phenomena attributed to the Sun. The “Learn” section of this app is a useful reference point for this type of project.

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