The Badge Archive

Activity Description: Scouts choose and watch a video or read a book to learn facts about stars.

• Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Daisy Space Science Explorer badge requirements.
• Fulfills Step 4 of GSUSA Brownie Space Science Adventurer badge requirements.
• Fulfills Step 3 of GSUSA Junior Space Science Investigator badge requirements.

Info Needed: Stars are big balls of hot gas that shine in the sky, even though they look tiny from Earth. We see stars at night because the sun’s light doesn’t block them. Stars form patterns called constellations, which people have named and imagined stories about for thousands of years. Telescopes help us see stars better.

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Items Needed:

• A book or video about the stars
• (Optional) A quiet space to watch or read
• (Optional) Headphones or speakers for group viewing

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 3–9 min):

1. Choose a star-themed video or book (1 min)
   • Scouts pick one option based on time and interest.
2. Watch or read the content (2–8 min)
3. (Optional) Share one fact they learned (1–2 min)
   • Scouts can say one thing they found interesting or surprising.

Media for Moon Changes

Books:

• Our Stars by Anne Rockwell – Explains what stars are, how they differ from planets, and introduces a few familiar constellations.
• The Sky Is Full of Stars by Franklyn M. Branley – Helps kids understand why stars appear in patterns and how constellations like Orion and Leo can be found in the sky.
• Spots of Light: A Book About Stars by Dana Meachen Rau – Introduces the science of stars in a kid-friendly way, including star colors, sizes, and the star life cycle.
• The Big Dipper by Franklyn M. Branley – Focuses on one of the most recognizable constellations and teaches kids how to find it in the night sky.

Constellation Story Archives:

• NASA Space Place – Constellations – Offers simple explanations, interactive activities, and printable star finders. Great for early learners.
• Erin & Out – Kid-Friendly Constellation Stories – A curated list of five constellation myths and how to find them in the night sky. Perfect for storytelling under the stars.
• The Learning Effect – Constellation Research Websites – Includes constellation mythology, star maps, and project ideas tailored for elementary students.

Videos:

• What are Stars and Constellations? by Mizyaka Dizyaka (5 min 16 sec) – An animated explanation of what stars are, how constellations form, and why they appear to move across the sky.
• Connect the Dots in the Sky by SciShow Kids (3 min 44 sec) – Learn how people have imagined pictures in the stars and discover some of the easiest constellations to spot.