South Dakota State Library Services

Be A NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses Kit -focuses on activities and experiences that help patrons (and library staff!) be more comfortable using tools of science, and making predictions based on their observations.

(The South Dakota State Library will replace all consumable items within the kits.) 

• Complete Facilitator Guide
• Overview Video 
• Planet Party (tabletop telescope, binoculars, star finder, moon map provided)
• Pocket solar system (paper receipt tape, colored pencils provided)
• Loony lunar phases (no materials provided)
• Art and the cosmic connection (colored pencils provided)
• Investigating the insides (fillable planets, pony beads, marbles, magnets, scale, infrared thermometers, compass)
• Using a Planisphere for Night Sky Exploration
• How-to 7X50 Binoculars 

Evaluation Survey (Must be completed for each kit.) 

Books (all provided)

Secrets of Our Earth
by Carron Brown
A shine-a-light book (flashlight included)

The Secret Galaxy
by Fran Hodgkins

Starry Skies: Learn about constellations above us 
by Samantha Chagollan 

Find the Constellations
by H.A. Rey

Astronomy: Cool Women in Space 

By Anita Yasuda 

National Geographic Kids Everything Space: Blast Off for a Universe of Photos, Facts, and Fun! 

By Helaine Becker 

Be A NASA Detective: Expanding Your Senses Kit- focuses on activities and experiences that help patrons (and library staff!) be more comfortable using tools of science, and making predictions based on their observations.

(The South Dakota State Library will replace all consumable items within the kits.)

• Complete Facilitators Guide 
• Overview Video 
• Planet Party (tabletop telescope, binoculars, star finder, moon map provided)
• Pocket solar system (paper receipt tape, colored pencils provided)
• Loony lunar phases (no materials provided)
• Art and the cosmic connection (colored pencils provided)
• Investigating the insides (fillable planets, pony beads, marbles, magnets, scale, infrared thermometers, compass)
• Using a Planisphere for Night Sky Exploration
• How-to 7X50 Binoculars 

Evaluation Survey (Must be completed for each kit.) 

Native American Resources Kit - Includes additional resources that meet Oceti Sakowin Essential Understanding and Standards. 

• "Our Relatives...the Stars" lesson and web links 
• Makoce Wicanḣpi Wowapi - D(L)akota Star Map
• Connection to the Stars: Annette S. Lee
• Lakota Star Knowledge Documentary Excerpt

Books (all provided)

Mission To Space 
by John Herrington 

Lakota star knowledge: studies in Lakota stellar theory  
by Ronald Goodman ; edited by Alan Seeger 

​​

Dakota/Lakota Star map constellation guidebook: an introduction to D(L)akota Star Knowledge 
by Annette Sharon Lee, Jim Rock, Charlene O'Rourke 

Secrets of Our Earth
by Carron Brown
A shine-a-light book (flashlight included)

The Secret Galaxy
by Fran Hodgkins

Starry Skies: Learn about constellations above us 
by Samantha Chagollan 

Find the Constellations
by H.A. Rey

Astronomy: Cool Women in Space 

by Anita Yasuda 

National Geographic Kids Everything Space: Blast Off for a Universe of Photos, Facts, and Fun! 

by Helaine Becker 

Kit 2: Be a NASA Detective - Adapted for the Visually Impaired 

(The South Dakota State Library will replace all consumable items within the kits.) 

• Complete Facilitator Guide (See Attachments) 
• Sense of Science: Astronomy Kit 
• Mini-Lite Box (for use with Sense of Science: Astronomy Kit) 
• National Library Service Digital Talking Book Machine 
• Blu-Ray/DVD Descriptive Video: Hidden Figures (2016) 
• Replogle Explorer Raised Globe (See Attachments) 

Evaluation Survey (Must be completed for each kit.) 

Books (all provided)

Secrets of Our Earth
by Carron Brown
A shine-a-light book (flashlight included)

• Twin Vision (braille and print) 
• Audio 

The Secret Galaxy
by Fran Hodgkins

• Audio 

This book is Launching Soon! 

Starry Skies: Learn about constellations above us 
by Samantha Chagollan 

• Twin Vision (Braille and Print) 

Star Boy
by Paul Goble 

• Audio 

Understanding Small Worlds in the Solar System: A Tactile View  
by NASA

• Braille and Tactile Graphics with Additional Large Print 

Getting a Feel for Eclipses
by NASA 

• Braille and Tactile Graphics with Additional Large Print 

Getting a Feel for Lunar Craters
by NASA

• Braille and Tactile Graphics with Additional Large Print 

(download text-only and audio versions for the visually impaired)

Hidden Figures 

by Margot Lee Shetterly 

• Audio 

Questions? 

Steven Buras
Assistant State Librarian 
1-605-77-5051
steven.buras@state.sd.us

There are space experts in South Dakota just waiting to collaborate on a program with you!

Night Sky Network Astronomy Clubs (NSN) is a nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing science, technology, and inspiration of NASA’s missions to the public. Search the NSN club listings to find one near you for possible collaborations!

NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors (SSA) is a program of volunteers that shares the latest in NASA’s science and discoveries of their space exploration missions through events in their communities. Search the SSA Directory for volunteers in your area.

  Trainings

Once dates are confirmed, they will be posted and linked here.

Archived recordings, slides, and links for all STARnet webinars. 

Bring Cutting Edge Science to Your Library NASA@MyLibrary Researcher Presentations

Here’s how to host a virtual visit with a South Dakota researcher that includes hands-on activities.

1. Go to https://sd-discovery.org/Scientists/ .  Find the NASA@MyLibrary Fellows. 
2. E-mail the scientist you wish to host.  Include your name, library, cell phone, a few date & time options (ask a month in advance) and type of audience.
3. Once you have secured a date, do these things:
   1. Ask Scientist-
      1. “Do I need to prepare any materials prior to the program day?”
      2. “What virtual conferencing program do you use to present?” (Example: Go Meeting, Skype, DDN)
      3. “I would like to schedule a tech check and a talk through of your program so that I know what to expect and can carry-on if the technology fails us.  What date and time should we do this?” DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
      4. “What is your cell phone #?”  You may need this if a tech glitch occurs.
   2. Schedule:  A tech person or another assistant to help you with your tech check and at your event.
4. At least 2 weeks in advance, check out the presentation kit at https://sdsl.booksys.net/opac/sdsl/#search:ExpertSearch?ST0=Z&SortDescend=0&SF0=Nasa%20stem.  
5. On the day of the program:
   1. Have your agenda and introduction ready.
   2. Set up your virtual conferencing program at least 1 hour before your program.
   3. Have materials ready, supplies & location prepared, and a camera positioned so your presenter can view the audience.
6. The kits are available for a one-month checkout and will not be renewed.  Return kits on time with all materials and failure to do so could jeopardize your library’s ILL privileges. Borrowing library PAYS postage to return the kit to the SDSL attention ILL/Dustin Larmore or using the nearest courier stop if library courier stop agrees ahead of time.

NOTE:  You are the host of this program.   For the best experience, take charge, get all your questions answered.   The scientists are guests and will usually look to you to lead the way.

NASA@MyLibrary Fellows