Bring home the Anchorage Museum in a box with the Community Supported Education (CSE) project to receive thoughtfully curated activities and educational resources boxes. Each CSE box includes engaging resources and activities that allow you to create an Anchorage Museum experience at home. Explore themes related to Alaska and the North through hands-on making, experiments, community profiles and readings. Select the CSE that is right for your age bracket: toddler, youth (4th-8th grades) or adult.
This CSE box examines the theme sky. During these dark winter nights explore celestial activities and learn what distinguishes Alaska's distinctive skyscape.
Each box includes resources that stimulate all five senses. Sign up for your CSE box by Dec. 10, details on pick up dates and locations will follow in the confirmation email.
Adult Box
Examine the northern sky through your senses. Learn about the science behind the aurora while also using your observations to support an ongoing citizen science project. Investigate humans’ relationship to space through the Voyager’s Golden Records and consider what messages you would want to send into the cosmos. Enjoy a space-related activity from the UAA Planetarium in this sky-themed CSE box.
Youth Box
Investigate unique phenomenon of the Northern sky with hands-on activities. Use candy to construct atmospheric gas molecules and learn how these molecules relate to the aurora, and create aurora art. Practice your observation skills by examining clouds and enjoy a space-related activity from the UAA Planetarium.
Activities designed for independent learning for youth in 4th-8th grades, but can be adapted for younger children with adult assistance.
BLINK Box
Investigate the Northern Sky through hands-on activities using your five senses. Observe the sky at different times of day and night and record what you see in your sky sketchbook. Create artwork showcasing the beautiful natural phenomena of the aurora and sunrise in various mediums. Engage your senses with night sky play dough and star cookie cutters as you consider the constellations. Investigate the colors of the rainbow and create rainbow art with unexpected materials.
Activities designed for use with ages 2-6 with adult assistance.
To build on your CSE box, join the Thomas Planetarium Sky Patrol, a virtual astronomy club partnering with Slooh. To learn more and see different membership levels click here. Double check that this code, 17DC9 - CBC10, is entered when registering for a membership. Scholarships for the student level membership are available with emailed inquiry. After you join the Thomas Planetarium Sky Patrol, email aslonecker@anchoragemuseum.org to receive a $10 off discount on your CSE box.