Sally Ride Science Announces New Blog Topic, "Should Pluto Be A Planet?"

(San Diego, CA) - Since being re-classified as a “dwarf planet,” Pluto has sparked lively discussions around the world. Now, teachers and students can explore this controversial topic in the classroom with the latest installment of the Sally Ride Science™ blog at http://sallyridescience.com. The new blog theme, “Should Pluto Be a Planet?” runs through the end of September, with new postings on Mondays and Thursdays.

The “Should Pluto Be a Planet?” blog provides teachers with an engaging way to introduce students to the assorted planets, moons, asteroids and Kuiper belt objects in our solar system. It focuses on Pluto and other dwarf planets such as Ceres, the largest asteroid, and Eris, a Kuiper belt object. (The Kuiper Belt is a region of frozen objects beyond Neptune.)

This month’s theme gives teachers and students an opportunity to discuss the definition of a planet and why Pluto is no longer classified that way. Teachers can share fun facts with students such as how Pluto got its name — it was not named after Mickey Mouse’s dog — and demonstrate the idea that exciting new discoveries are being made in science every day.

The first blog entry is authored by Jim Brown. In his 30 years in public education, Brown has taught kindergarten through ninth grade, specializing in designing and implementing science curricula. He ran his own science company, creating and guiding parent/child hands-on explorations. He has received several honors, including the Award of Merit from the Association of Science Technology Centers (A.S.T.C.). Currently, Brown is bringing his classroom expertise to Sally Ride Science, guiding new programs, hands-on workshops and teacher materials.

Subsequent postings to the “Should Pluto Be a Planet?” blog will be authored by Dr. Karen Flammer, a space physicist at the University of California, San Diego and one of the founders of Sally Ride Science. Dr. Flammer spent over twenty years researching small bodies in our solar system. In the blog she’ll share some interesting facts about Pluto, Ceres and Eris, and about the New Horizons mission that will reach Pluto in 2015.

 

About the Sally Ride Science Blog

The Sally Ride Science blog features a series of science-themed entries to help elementary and middle school teachers illustrate real world applications of science concepts and spark lively classroom discussions. Designed for grades four through eight, the blog includes ideas to engage and inspire students as they explore the exciting world of science.

 

About Sally Ride Science

Sally Ride Science is an innovative science content company dedicated to supporting girls’ and boys’ interests in science, math and technology. Dr. Sally Ride, best known as America’s first woman in space, founded the company inOur programs include Sally Ride Science Festivals; the TOYchallenge, a national toy design competition for grades 5-8; educator institutes; summer camps; and after-school programs. Our publications include award-winning science books, science career books, a science newsletter, and Classroom Sets to supplement science instruction. All together, our publications and programs bring science to life and show kids that science is creative, collaborative, fascinating and fun. For more information go to www.SallyRideScience.com or call 1-800-561-5161. 2001 to create quality programs and products that educate, entertain, engage and inspire.