Stirling Astronomical Society

Stirling Astronomical Society A.L.P.S.

( Astronomy Links with Primary Schools )

The A.L.P.S. program has developed over the years in response to requests from Primary school teachers for help with projects on `Space`. It has also met requests from Cub, Brownie, Guide and Scout Leaders.

The help offered takes the form of one or more of the following:-

Advice on resource materials ( Books, Charts, Work-Sheets, Posters etc.)
Daytime visit with Slide / Video Lesson
Daytime visit with selected Hands-on Activities
After-Dark visit to School by `SAS flying Squad` with a selection of portable Telescopes (Parents provide pupil transport and are welcome to participate)
Daytime or After-Dark visit to Observatory Dome, on top of Stirling Highland Hotel, to view (weather permitting) through the Vintage 32cm Reflecting Telescope.

The most valuable contribution to the class projects, as well as covering a number of topics in the 5 to 14 Environmental Studies Curriculum,appears to be the Daytime visit with selected Hands-on' activities. The Class Teacher will have selected suitable activities from a menu such as listed below. In a one Hour lesson perhaps three activities would be chosen.

- Scale of Earth, Moon and Sun
- Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
Working model of the solar system (for measuring the length of the Planetary Years)
- Making simple refracting telescopes from Lenses, Spring Clips and Rulers
- Demonstration and use of Portable Telescopes
- Identifying the Principal Winter Constellations
- Studying individual charts, and naming prominent Stars
- Locating the Pole Star from the Pointers of the plough
Choice of CD-ROMS for use with PCs
'Ask the Expert', Question and Answer session

Visits to the Old High School Telescope require extra organisation. Only ten visitors are allowed up the tower at a time, so the rest of the class have to be found a waiting area, where a display or talk can be laid on, with the co-operation of the Hotel management. The program presented will depend on the time of day, and the weather. The Dome houses a Gallery of interesting Astronomical Posters,so that a useful educational experience is enjoyed even in poor weather.