The University of Colorado at Boulder, Lockheed Martin Space Systems and NEWS4 have teamed up to present an exciting, week-long educational science program for third, fourth and fifth grade students on the topic of space called "Cosmos 4 KIDS."
Together with NEWS4 Weathercaster and Anchor Larry Green, space scientists and engineers from Lockheed Martin and CU-Boulder will explore space, from the big-bang theory to the future of space exploration.
The five-part series will air the week of Oct. 21 - 25 on First News at 4. A hands-on study guide of experiments and activities and a poster were mailed to schools in August. The guide meets the Colorado Model Content Standards for science and is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of space science. School children from participating schools can watch the segments, learn from the activities guide and even win a grand prize.
Students will learn about the big-bang theory, how gravity shapes the universe and the spectrum of tools scientists use to study space - from special telescopes to satellites, space probes and powerful launch vehicles. Kids will watch as Larry Green takes a special trip to the center of the Milky Way galaxy to visit a black hole, and they will hear from an astronaut about the future of manned space travel.
In the classroom, kids will learn while having fun as they make a scale-model solar system, a balloon rocket and a comet.
For CU-Boulder, the television series is an extension of its many educational outreach programs and a way to reach a much larger audience than it normally does with small groups of schoolchildren visiting campus.
Working with CU and NEWS4 to bring space sciences to young minds through an exciting television series is part of Lockheed Martin's effort to educate people about the wonders of space, said Evan McCollum, director of communications for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co.
"It's an opportunity to help students learn about exciting, important applications of the math and science they are studying," he said.
This is the third year in a row that CU and NEWS4 have teamed up to produce science-centered educational programming for Colorado's third-through fifth-graders.
"We are proud to be a part of this project combining science and education," said Kristine Strain, NEWS4 executive producer. "It's a great way to utilize the communication tools of NEWS4 with the scientific and educational resources of Lockheed Martin and CU-Boulder."
For more information about "Cosmos 4 Kids" call (303) 861-4444 or visit the NEWS4 Web site at .
"Cosmos 4 Kids"
NEWS4
October 21-25, 2002
Oct. 21 The Big-Bang Theory
CU Professors Larry Esposito and Andrew Hamilton explain the big-bang theory of how the universe began. Professor Hamilton also takes Larry Green on a tour of a black hole in the center of the Milky Way galaxy.
Oct. 22 Tools to Study Space
CU Professor Ted Snow explains how the light spectrum, wavelengths, telescopes, satellites and spacecraft are used to help scientists study space.
Oct. 23 Star Formation and Planetary Science
Students learn from CU Professor John Bally how the violent action of star formation actually creates planets, solar systems, asteroids and comets.
Oct. 24 Exploring the Solar System
Larry Green takes a walk through the solar system while Lockheed Martin scientist and astronaut Mike Coats looks at manned exploration in space.
Oct. 25 The Future of Space Exploration
Lockheed Martin and CU scientists look to the future of space exploration from the next generation spacecraft to revolutionary propulsion systems.