Inspiring Interest in Science & Engineering
The latest math and science report card shows that students in the United States are still well behind their counterparts in many Asian and European nations. Our goal is to turn these standings around by helping to inspire student interest in science and astronomy, and Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is a great way for teachers to supplement their Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and astronomy curriculum.
Tailored Curriculum
We can tailor a program which enhances the science/astronomy curriculum in a number of ways. Students can listen to an astronomy expert talk about various subjects followed by a question and answer session; they can tour the observatory’s dome and main telescope, participate in viewing the Sun with the solar telescope, weather-permitting, and more.
Field Trip FAQs
Available Activities
-
Solar Observation
This view of the Sun in hydrogen-alpha shows the solar chromosphere, a 10,000K layer of the Sun's atmosphere that lies above the photosphere (the "surface" of the Sun). 30 minutes (weather permitting)
Observe the Sun through Dyer's hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see a unique view of the Sun unattainable with typical solar telescopes.
- Learn about and observe the deep red solar chromosphere, sunspots, prominences extending into space, and filaments snaking across the solar disk.
- Students will also be shown a PowerPoint presentation that includes Images and movies of solar activity from space-based solar observatories as we discuss solar phenomena.
- If sunspots are easily visible, an additional solar telescope may be used to project an image of the Sun to highlight the sunspots.
-
Seyfert Telescope Tour
The historic 24" Carl K. Seyfert Telescope is Dyer Observatory's primary instrument, providing views of the sky during both night and day. 25 minutes
Dyer Observatory has four telescope installations, three of which are mounted in domes on top of the observatory and are still actively used for observation. Students will tour Dyer’s largest telescope, the Seyfert Telescope, and gain an understanding of its history, how it functions, how it compares to other observatory telescopes, and what it has been used to observe and study.
Topics of discussion often include
- What are the differences between various types of telescopes?
- How does the Seyfert Telescope compare to other observatory telescopes including the famous Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes?
- How do astronomers locate and track objects in the sky?
- How does the big dome function and protect the telescope?
If it is a clear enough day, the activity couples well with the Venus viewing activity (if Venus is in an observable position) or viewing a bright star in broad daylight. Note the Seyfert Telescope is not used for solar viewing.
-
Telescopic Observation of Venus
Venus appeared as an extremely thin crescent on March 28, 2025, a few days after it reached inferior conjunction, the point at which it comes in between Earth and the Sun. Credit: Billy Teets 20 minutes (weather and Venus permitting)
It often comes as a surprise that objects besides the Sun and Moon can be observed in the daytime with a telescope. The Seyfert Telescope can be used to observe Venus if it is far enough from the Sun to be viewed safely.
- Observe the various phases of Venus (from full to a thin crescent, depending on its placement in its orbit)
- Learn about why planets exhibit phases and why certain planets only exhibit certain phases
- Discuss the history of planet phase observations and how planetary phases prove the heliocentric (Sun-centered) model of the solar system is correct versus the geocentric (Earth-centered) model.
Note: If Venus is too close to the Sun to observe safely and the sky is clear, we may instead be able to observe Mercury or a bright star.
Venus appeared with a splendid gibbous phase as SAVY students observed it on July 24, 2025. Credit: Billy Teets -
Sizes and Scales Talk
Credit: Wikipedia/CactiStaccingCrane 30 minutes
During this presentation, students learn about
- The relative sizes of the planets with respect to one another
- Some of the properties of each of the planets as well as general properties of rocky and gaseous planets
- The relative size of the planets to the Sun, and the size of the Sun compared to other stars
- Some of the properties of stars
This activity also pairs well with the Solar Observation and/or Planet Walk activities as well as our interactive lobby exhibit about the 100 nearest and brightest stars.
-
Planet Walk
Credit: Wikipedia/CactiStaccingCrane 45 minutes (weather permitting)
Students will walk-off a scale model of the solar system in which the Sun is represented by an 8″ ball. As we walk to each planet, students are shown the scaled planet size while we discuss various aspects of the body, such as structure, number of moons, rings, etc. With time constraints, we typically walk to Jupiter but also discuss how big and distant the remaining planets would be.
-
Spectroscopy Talk and Demo
Observing a light source through a diffraction grating reveals the spectrum of colors it emits. 45 minutes
We present a PowerPoint slideshow about the electromagnetic spectrum to learn about topics such as
- How atoms and molecules produce their own colors of light.
- How these unique spectra of elements can be used to determine aspects of celestial objects such as composition, temperature, and velocity.
- Time permitting, how astronomers and astrophotographers acquire images of objects, what those images can tell us, etc.
In addition to the slideshow, the activity utilizes spectral discharge tubes and other light sources to show the various spectroscopy principles in action.
This activity ties in well with the Solar Observation activity as the hydrogen-alpha telescope only lets through the one red color produced solely by hydrogen, the same color we observe with the hydrogen discharge tube.
-
Finding Things in the Night Sky / Star Wheels
The sky simulated by Stellarium. 45 minutes
Students construct their own planispheres (aka star wheels) and learn how to use them to then learn the constellations and stars of the night sky for any time and date.
Using the planetarium software Stellarium, we simulate the night sky to allow students to try out their planispheres. As we explore the sky, we touch on a number of topics including
- How objects in the sky move with respect to one’s location
- How to find certain objects such as planets and constellations
- What some of the brighter deep sky objects are that one can observe by eye or with a small telescope
- What interesting events/objects will be visible in the near future
-
Meteorite Collection Visit
Two tektites (left) and a nickel-iron meteor (right) help tell the story of how planets formed. Credit: Kevin Thomas 15 minutes
Dyer Observatory has a collection of nickel-iron and stony-iron meteorites as well as a number of tektites on display. In this activity, students will
- Learn about the different types of meteorites, how they form, and what information they can provide us, especially about the solar system's history
- Observe a number of meteorites and tektites on display
- Have the opportunity to hold samples of 4.5-billion-year-old meteorites and some younger tektites
- Learn why we experience annual meteor showers
-
Sundials
An Australian sundial. Credit: Wikipedia/Jeepika 30 minutes
Students are given a brief presentation on the basics of sundials (including some of the most common designs) and the motions observed in the sky that affect a sundial's reading. Students then construct a paper horizontal sundial on their own that, when aligned properly and appropriate adjustment made, can tell the local time to within a minute.
-
Large-Print Image Tour
The panoramic view of the Milky Way annotated with constellation outlines and names, star names, and highlighted areas of interest. 15 minutes
Dyer Observatory has several large-format infographics that discuss the Milky Way, galaxies in general, and the life cycles of stars. On the adjacent wall is a 20′ panorama of the Milky Way that beautifully displays our home galaxy, shows the constellations visible in and around the band of the galaxy, and highlights 14 objects visible within the galactic landscape.
Some of the topics of discussion can include
- How our galaxy appears to us in the sky and some of its characteristics
- How our galaxy compares to others
- Information about some of the highlighted regions
- Where our planets appear with respect to the Milky Way band
- Exploration of some of the more familiar and not-so-familiar constellations.
MNPS Field Trip Agendas
Mobile Field Trip Programs
We'll Come to Your School
Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory is closed for renovation January 1–July 1, 2026, but we're bringing the universe to YOUR classroom!
Where
Your school classroom or auditorium, public spaces and venues within 10–15 miles of the observatory*
Who
Grades 3 and up, minimum of 15 students
Program Options
- Single classroom visits (1 hour instruction)
- School-wide assemblies (lecture format)
- Large groups (additional educator provided for 40+ students)
Meet Science Standards
Our programming can address specific science standards for Physical Sciences (PS), Earth and Space Sciences (ESS), and Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science (ETS).
Cost
$7 per student/teacher/chaperone (Check or credit card is accepted.)
Available Activities
-
Solar Observation
This view of the Sun in hydrogen-alpha shows the solar chromosphere, a 10,000K layer of the Sun's atmosphere that lies above the photosphere (the "surface" of the Sun). 30 minutes (weather permitting)
Observe the Sun through Dyer's hydrogen-alpha solar telescope to see a unique view of the Sun unattainable with typical solar telescopes.
- Learn about and observe the deep red solar chromosphere, sunspots, prominences extending into space, and filaments snaking across the solar disk.
- Students will also be shown a PowerPoint presentation that includes Images and movies of solar activity from space-based solar observatories as we discuss solar phenomena.
- If sunspots are easily visible, an additional solar telescope may be used to project an image of the Sun to highlight the sunspots.
-
Finding Things in the Night Sky / Star Wheels
The sky simulated by Stellarium. 45 minutes
Students construct their own planispheres (aka star wheels) and learn how to use them to then learn the constellations and stars of the night sky for any time and date.
Using the planetarium software Stellarium, we simulate the night sky to allow students to try out their planispheres. As we explore the sky, we touch on a number of topics including
- How objects in the sky move with respect to one’s location
- How to find certain objects such as planets and constellations
- What some of the brighter deep sky objects are that one can observe by eye or with a small telescope
- What interesting events/objects will be visible in the near future
-
Meteorites
Two tektites (left) and a nickel-iron meteor (right) help tell the story of how planets formed. Credit: Kevin Thomas 15 minutes
Dyer Observatory has a collection of nickel-iron and stony-iron meteorites as well as a number of tektites on display. In this activity, students will
- Learn about the different types of meteorites, how they form, and what information they can provide us, especially about the solar system's history
- Observe a number of meteorites and tektites on display
- Have the opportunity to hold samples of 4.5-billion-year-old meteorites and some younger tektites
- Learn why we experience annual meteor showers
-
Sizes and Scales Talk
Credit: Wikipedia/CactiStaccingCrane 30 minutes
During this presentation, students learn about
- The relative sizes of the planets with respect to one another
- Some of the properties of each of the planets as well as general properties of rocky and gaseous planets
- The relative size of the planets to the Sun, and the size of the Sun compared to other stars
- Some of the properties of stars
This activity also pairs well with the Solar Observation and/or Planet Walk activities as well as our interactive lobby exhibit about the 100 nearest and brightest stars.
-
Planet Walk
Credit: Wikipedia/CactiStaccingCrane 45 minutes (weather permitting)
Students will walk-off a scale model of the solar system in which the Sun is represented by an 8″ ball. As we walk to each planet, students are shown the scaled planet size while we discuss various aspects of the body, such as structure, number of moons, rings, etc. With time constraints, we typically walk to Jupiter but also discuss how big and distant the remaining planets would be.
-
Spectroscopy Talk and Demo
Observing a light source through a diffraction grating reveals the spectrum of colors it emits. 45 minutes
We present a PowerPoint slideshow about the electromagnetic spectrum to learn about topics such as
- How atoms and molecules produce their own colors of light.
- How these unique spectra of elements can be used to determine aspects of celestial objects such as composition, temperature, and velocity.
- Time permitting, how astronomers and astrophotographers acquire images of objects, what those images can tell us, etc.
In addition to the slideshow, the activity utilizes spectral discharge tubes and other light sources to show the various spectroscopy principles in action.
This activity ties in well with the Solar Observation activity as the hydrogen-alpha telescope only lets through the one red color produced solely by hydrogen, the same color we observe with the hydrogen discharge tube.
-
Sundials
An Australian sundial. Credit: Wikipedia/Jeepika 30 minutes
Students are given a brief presentation on the basics of sundials (including some of the most common designs) and the motions observed in the sky that affect a sundial's reading. Students then construct a paper horizontal sundial on their own that, when aligned properly and appropriate adjustment made, can tell the local time to within a minute.
Questions
Please contact us at dyerobservatory@vanderbilt.edu with any questions.
*Reach out to us if your school falls outside the 10-15 mile radius of the observatory