On Monday, December 2 Kent School students in Grades One and Eight will partner to identify constellations and perhaps get a glimpse of the International Space Station as it passes overhead under darkened skies on Kent School’s riverside campus. Heidi Usilton, Middle School Science Teacher said, “The conditions are ideal for the Second Annual STARFEST. Kent School’s rural campus enjoys minimal ambient light. The naturally dark evening skies along with the new moon and clear weather provides the perfect backdrop for stargazing.”
STARFEST at Kent School is a collaboration among Lower School Science Teacher, Meghan Ferster and her First Grade class who will work with Middle School Science Teacher, Usilton and her Eighth Grade class. Both classes have been studying space and the solar system over the past several weeks. Eighth Grade students will help First Grade students locate and identify different constellations and then share knowledge gained through their research. First Grade students have also been researching constellations and will be able to share their findings with an Eighth Grade partner.
The possible sighting of the International Space Station is an added bonus this year. As it orbits the earth, the Space Station is due to be visible from our location at 5:58pm for 6 minutes. In preparation for the sighting, several students crafted models of the ISS as part of their project work.
Nancy Mugele, Head of School said, “I am so proud of our teachers, Usilton and Ferster for their independent but intentional collaboration to benefit our students. Their passion for our mission and creativity is on full display through STARFEST.”
Kent School is committed to teacher professional development around Mind, Brain and Education science or MBE. MBE science affords our teachers the opportunity to teach the way students learn best and STARFEST is an excellent example of our MBE strategies in action. Students were given a voice to share their knowledge with other students. They applied their classroom learning in a real world situation. They were able to demonstrate their mastery of the subject by teaching other students about stars and constellations. By creating models, researching, writing and illustrating constellation books and using technology, lessons were presented in multiple modalities for a holistic teaching and learning.
Kent School prepares students for active citizenship through joyful and rigorous academics, arts, and athletics in an inclusive community that fosters moral excellence. Serving children in Preschool 3’s through Grade 8. The school’s location along the bank of the Chester River in historic Chestertown is the ideal setting for a child to begin or continue the educational journey. For more information about STARFEST or Kent School in general visit www.kentschool.org or call 410-778-4100 ext. 110.