Finding direction by the Pole Star
The Pole Star lies in Ursa Minor and stays almost fixed above the North Pole because Earth’s axis points towards it; other stars appear to circle around it. To find it, measure the gap between the two end stars of the Big Dipper’s “bowl” and extend that line towards Ursa Minor 5 times – the Pole Star is there. If we face the Pole Star, the front is north, the right east, the back south and the left west. We can then set our direction: if the city we want is to the east, we face the Pole Star and walk to the right. The Pole Star cannot be seen from Earth’s southern hemisphere. In the northern hemisphere its height above the horizon equals the observer’s latitude. On a cloudy night or when it cannot be seen, we use a compass or the Sun.
Practical work: use a compass to hang N (north), E (east), S (south) and W (west) labels on the classroom walls. “Guide” game: a pupil with eyes open faces the “Pole Star” (north wall) and follows commands “to the east”, “to the south”. At night with adults find the Pole Star via Ursa Major and check with a compass. Safety: keep magnets away from the compass; stay out in the evening with parents, in warm clothes and in a safe, lit place.