How’s your memory?
In this activity, students memorise a number of items from the star compass as wayfinding navigators would have to do. This experience may help students understand how and why wayfinders use the star compass to memorise stars. Games are used to help consolidate the learning.
Star compass and star positions
This star compass shows some of the stars as they align with their houses. The star compass shows where the stars will rise and set on the celestial equator – slightly different for our horizon in Aotearoa.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
explain that memory is important for wayfinding
describe what the star compass is and how it helps wayfinders
recite the houses in the star compass
name at least five stars and the houses they rise from and set to on the star compass.
Star compass
This star compass (kāpehu whetū) shows some of the stars as they align with their houses. The star compass shows where the stars will rise and set on the celestial equator – slightly different for our horizon in Aotearoa.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
extension activities
materials for game.
Related content
The star compass (kāpehu whetū) uses cardinal directions and 220 stars to show where stars will rise and set on the celestial equator, a very important part of Traditional wayfinding.
Activity ideas
Try these related activities
Constellations in the night sky looks at star legends from cultures around the world.
Navigating by the stars introduces students to traditional navigational skills – using the cardinal directions and the Southern Cross.
To help with memory try the the n-back test activity
Useful link
For other memory strategies, try this site.
