Starry Nights at Girlstart

Thursday, December 2, 2021
Featuring an Inuit Lore Star Show

Girlstart’s STEM Studio and Mini-Planetarium is a unique space for families to explore astronomy! Starry Nights are held the first Thursday of every month (except January, June, July, and August), with each month featuring a new astronomy experience and related hands-on activities. Family members of all ages are welcome!

Activities for the week of December 1st – 4th

We are so excited for our first week of DeSTEMber! 

Activities for the week of December 1st – 4th:

12.01 Graphite Circuit

12.02 Seed Germinator

12.03 EcoTarium

12.04 Moon Observation Saturday: Moon Phases

12.01 – Graphite Circuit 

  • 9V battery
  • Graphite pencil
  • 5mm LED
  • Ruler
  • Sheet of paper
  • Tape

12.02 – Seed Germinator

  • Bean seeds (lima, pinto, or mung beans work best)
  • Paper towels
  • Sandwich-size plastic zipper bag
  • Tape
  • Water

12.03 – EcoTarium – Incredible Cabbage Colors

  • Cabbage juice (1 liter – see activity for instructions)
  • 5 or more clear glasses
  • Household liquids including:
    • Baking soda solution (teaspoon of baking soda in 8 oz. water)
    • Bleach (*with an adult’s help)
    • Clear lemon-lime soda
    • Dish soap
    • Lemon juice
    • Vinegar
    • Washing soda solution (teaspoon dissolved in 8 oz. water)
    • Window cleaner (*with an adult’s help)

12.04 – Moon Observation Saturday: Moon Phases

  • Moon Observation Journal (attached to activity)
  • Pen, pencil, or markers

Don’t forget to use AmazonSmile if you’re shopping online, a percent of your purchase will go to Girlstart when you use AmazonSmile!

Activities for December 26th – 31st

We are so excited for our final week of DeSTEMber!

Activities for the week of December 26th – 31st 

12.26 Citizen Science Sunday: Globe at Night

12.27 Light Pollution

12.28 SciGirls

12.29 Rubber Band Helicopter

12.30 Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center

12.31 Dream Big!

12.26 – Citizen Science Sunday: Globe at Night

 

12.27 – Light Pollution

  • Aluminum foil (6-inch square)
  • Felt or fabric (6-inch square)
  • Flashlight
  • Scissors
  • Tape
  • Tissue paper (6-inch square)

12.28 – SciGirls

  • Opaque items (construction paper, cardboard, aluminum foil, cotton balls) 
  • Translucent items (wax paper, frosted contact paper, tracing paper, parchment paper, tissue paper)
  • Transparent items (cellophane, drinking glass or glass jar, bottle full of water)

12.29 – Rubber Band Helicopter

  • Craft stick
  • Craft stick propeller (fits onto end of craft stick and has a rubber band hook)
  • Notecard
  • Paperclip
  • Pencil
  • Rubber band (size #64 works best)
  • Scissors
  • Tape

12.30 – Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center – Thermal Energy Design Challenge

  • Aluminum Foil
  • Black Paper
  • Cardboard*
  • 1/2 Cup of Frozen Water in a Ziploc Bag*
  • Fleece
  • Napkin*
  • Newspaper
  • Packing Tape*
  • Plastic Baggie*
  • Styrofoam
  • White Paper*

*OR: use the underlined materials plus 3-5 items from your recycling bin

12.31 – Dream Big!

  • Cardstock or poster board
  • Colored pencils or markers

Activities for the week of December 12th – 18th

We are so excited for our third week of DeSTEMber!

Activities for the week of December 12th – 18th

12.12 Citizen Science Sunday: Project Squirrel

12.13 The Franklin Institute

12.14 Benham’s Disk

12.15 Dallas Arboretum

12.16 Secret Sounds

12.17 Throwing Pi

12.18 Moon Observation Saturday: Full Moon

12.12 – Citizen Science Sunday: Project Squirrel 

  • Computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet access

12.13 – The Franklin Institute – Light and Bubbles

  • A blank piece of white paper
  • A darkened room
  • A plate
  • 1/2 cup corn syrup
  • 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid (clear is best but any type will work)
  • 1 cup water
  • Flashlight
  • Straw

12.14 – Benham’s Disk

  • Benham’s Disk template, printed on copy paper or cardstock (attached)
  • Cardboard
  • Clear tape
  • Glue stick
  • Pencil
  • Push pin
  • Scissors

12.15 – Dallas Arboretum – Plant Cuttings: Super Rooters

  • Clean pair of scissors, knife or gardening shears
  • Mature plant stem or vine
  • Vase
  • Water

12.16 – Secret Sounds

  • Metal clothes hanger
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • String

12.17 – Throwing Pi

  • Paper
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • 20 toothpicks (or more!)

12.18 – Moon Observation Saturday: Full Moon

  • Moon Observation Journal (from Moon Phases activity)

Don’t forget to use AmazonSmile if you’re shopping online so that a percent of your purchase goes to Girlstart!