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Saturday 22 June 2019

Carter Observatory Evening Visit

Last week we joined two family groups at Carter Observatory. We watched the brilliant 360° dome film Matariki Dawn which helped us understand Matariki, when it comes in to view and what significance it has to Aotearoa. Very valuable stuff leading in to the next stage of our Inquiry, Whāia Ngā Whetū as well as our Matariki celebrations.


The film showcased three traditional Māori stories related to our solar system - The Story of Tawhirimatea, Rona and the Moon and The Great Waka of Tama Rereti. This was a fantastic link to our Literacy learning, where we have been reading and re-telling these and other Māori myths and legends.


After the film we were able to explore the Space Place Museum. Although the Tuesday night visit happened under a thick cloud cover, on Friday night we were blessed with clear skies and a look through the massive telescope at the moon. Kia ora Rona me Te Marama!

                                                                          
Perhaps the most exciting thing to come from this visit was our subsequent contact with Ohu Domes, the production company responsible for the Planetarium shows. Based a stones throw from our school, they were elated to hear the local school had enjoyed their project. They have since provided us with the 360° videos for the Māori stories (these are available to watch through your child's google account on the file Literacy / Inquiry Links Term 2, 2019). If you aren't able to make it to Space Place, though we still implore you to do so, you can at least now enjoy these videos from the comfort of your own home. 

Ohu Domes are also developing an educational kit to accompany their films, and are interested in our thoughts about this! We look forward to another opportunity for community collaboration and connectedness. Tau kē!

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