Game Guide / Chronopticon GAME DESCRIPTION QUICK FACTS ABOUT CHRONOPTICON Chronopticon is a time travel game in which players guide Tim and Moby from the 9th century back to the present day. Along the way, players will gain an increasingly complex picture of the earth-moon-sun system and the celestial sphere, as well as how their motions relate to the passage of time. Key learning objectives include using models to understand: () that the earth s rotation causes passage of hours and creates the day/night cycle; (2) basic motions and positioning of the earth-sun-moon system in relation to lunar cycles; () basic configurations, motions, and positioning of the zodiac constellations; and (4) how one s reference point in the northern or southern hemisphere affects the motion, appearance, and positioning of celestial bodies. WAYS TO USE CHRONOPTICON IN THE CLASSROOM As an in-class group activity Project the game onto a white screen or use an interactive whiteboard. Students take turns solving challenges and offer one another strategy suggestions. In partnerships Have students collaborate and share strategies for tackling challenges and advancing through levels. Pair students with different learning strengths to complement one another and encourage peer coaching. Students manipulate time by changing the positions of celestial bodies. Levels support learning across multiple standards in Grade 6 science and math. Each level can be accessed directly and played within 0 5 minutes. A web browser with the Adobe Flash plug-in and an Internet connection are required; connection to a networked printer is recommended so students may print achievement certificates presented at the end of each level. Headphones are suggested, as the introductory and interstitial animations have dialogue, and the game contains sound effects. As homework Assign a level or several levels to supplement formal instruction and reinforce concepts. Ask students to print their achievement certificates and present them in class the following day. HOW TO PLAY In each level, players are challenged to navigate a time machine to a specific time or date. A moving model of the earth, moon, sun, and stars provides clues about the current time. Players use a dial and lever system to set the number of hours, days, and/or months (depending on the level) they wish to move forward. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.
Game Guide / Chronopticon / Level Solar Use models to understand that the rotation of the earth causes the passage of hours and the day/night cycle. Identify the target time. The earth rotates/spins on its axis, an imaginary line running through the poles The earth spins eastward, making one complete turn every 24 hours To an observer on earth, the earth s eastward spin causes the sun to appear to move westward Half of the earth is always illuminated by the sun; this half is constantly in flux as the earth spins To an observer standing on the earth s (temporarily) illuminated half, it is day; to an observer on the (temporarily) unilluminated half, it is night (hours) based on the apparent movement of the sun through the sky 2 Determine the current position of the sun in the celestial and terrestrial viewers, which represent the same time from different perspectives. Add the number of hours needed to advance the rotation of the earth to match the target time, then click the lever. 4 Players are given feedback on the number of times they attempt to successfully complete each of four challenges within each level. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved. 2
Game Guide / Chronopticon / Level 2 Lunar Use models to understand the basic motions and positioning of the earthmoon-sun system. Identify the target time and moon phase. The earth revolves around the sun once every 65 days The four seasons correspond to the earth s location in its orbit around the sun The moon revolves around the earth about once every 28 days [it s actually 27. days, but in our model, we had to pick a round number] Like the earth, half of the moon is always lit by the sun The phases of the moon are caused by our angle of perception on the moon s lit half; this angle is a function of where the moon is in its orbit around the earth The phases of the moon can be used as a rough calendar (days) based on the moon s phase 2 Determine the current position of the sun and moon in the celestial and terrestrial viewers. Add the number of days and hours needed to advance the rotation of the earth and the position of the moon to match the target time and lunar calendar date. Then click the lever. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved.
Game Guide / Chronopticon / Level Stellar Use models to understand the basic motions and positioning of the zodiac constellations. Identify the target time range and constellation. Like the sun, the stars at night seem to move because the earth is spinning The direction (east) of the earth s spin affects the apparent direction of the stars apparent motion across the sky There are 2 zodiac constellations, representing mythological people, animals, and objects Like the sun, any given star or constellation seems to move in an arc across the sky over the course of hours Different constellations are visible during different times of year (or different seasons) (hours) based on the apparent motion of constellations during one night (days, months) based on the visible constellations 2 Determine the current time of day and orbital position of the earth. Add the number of months and hours needed to match the target time and constellation. Then click the lever. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved. 4
Game Guide / Chronopticon / Level 4 Hemispheres Use models to understand the basic motions and positioning of the lunar phases in relation to zodiac constellations. Identify the target moon phase and constellation. The phases of the moon can be used as a rough calendar (days) based on the moon s phase There are 2 zodiac constellations, representing mythological people, animals, and objects Like the sun, any given star or constellation seems to move in an arc across the sky over the course of hours Different constellations are visible during different times of year (or different seasons) (hours) based on the apparent motion of constellations during one night (days, months) based on the visible constellations Celestial objects have different motions and appearances in the southern hemisphere 2 Determine the current moon phase and orbital position of the earth. Add the number of days and hours needed to match the target lunar calendar date and constellation. Then click the lever. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved. 5
Game Guide / Chronopticon / Level 5 Dead Reckoning Identify specific constellations and use models to understand the basic motions and positioning of the lunar phases in relation to zodiac constellations Identify the target moon phase and constellation. The phases of the moon can be used as a rough calendar (days) based on the moon s phase There are 2 zodiac constellations, representing mythological people, animals, and objects Like the sun, any given star or constellation seems to move in an arc across the sky over the course of hours Different constellations are visible during different times of year (or different seasons) (hours) based on the apparent motion of constellations during one night (days, months) based on the visible constellations Celestial objects have different motions and appearances in the southern hemisphere 2 The celestial viewer is broken! Estimate the earth s current orbital position by identifying constellations in the expanded terrestrial viewer. Add the number of days and hours needed to match the target lunar calendar date and constellation. Then click the lever. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved. 6
Game Guide / Chronopticon QUESTIONS/SUGGESTIONS HELPFUL HINTS Please share your feedback. We d love to hear how you re using Chronopticon in your classroom. You can contact us at educators@brainpop.com. All levels begin with the sun in the high noon position. Before moving on to the next challenge within a level, players need to remember the time and moon phase or constellation location. The next challenge will start from this time and location. Players may only add hours, days, and months to advance time they cannot subtract. Lines and marks in the celestial and terrestrial viewers are calibrated to indicate hours, days, and months, depending on the level and the challenge. 999 20 BrainPOP. All rights reserved. 7