Students will use the internet to research a scientific invention that was used to explore outer space. Students will create a multimedia slideshow that incorporates their research, images of the invention, and voice narration. To create the slideshow, students could use PhotoStory 3 (Microsoft), Photostage Slideshow Producer (Windows 7), or I-Movie (Mac).

Grade 5

Finished example:

This narrated video slideshow project was created using Microsoft PhotoStory 3.

Astronomy Inventions

Instructions:

Research and answer the questions on the handout.
Collect several images of the invention.
Create a narrated slideshow using the images and research.

Step One

Students will research their chosen invention on the internet and fill in their answers on the handout. Students will use the answers to narrate their slide show images.

Handout: download

5th grade Astronomy research handout

Examples of Some Inventions That Helped Mankind Explore Space

Astrolabe, Cross-Staff, Sextant, Spectroscope, Satellite, Reflector Telescope, Refractor Telescope, Hubble Telescope, Space Shuttle, Radio Telescope, Space Suit.

Step Two

Students will use the internet to collect images relate to their research topic. For best results and clarity, images should be at least 400 pixels or more on the smallest side. In this example, the title slide was created in Powerpoint. The Powerpoint slide was then saved as a .png image file to be used in the slideshow program

Hover over the thumbnails to preview actual image sizes.

These are examples of the minimum image sizes that will prevent the slideshows from being too blurry or out of focus.