The sun has long set and the light of the full moon is juxtaposed against the dotted canvas that is the night sky. Although the moon's glow is brilliant, one's eye cannot help but be drawn to a few other luminescent dots in the sky. Are they stars or planets? Only those that know how to distinguish between the two will be able to tell you that answer.

Stepping into the Astronomy classroom, you are hit with what feels like a brick wall of icy cold air that burns your face and causes your teeth to chatter. Rest assured that as cold as it may feel, there is no chance for you to get frostbite or catch a cold. As you make your way towards the semicircle of desks - the usual formation for Astronomy lessons to help create a more intimate setting - you may have to battle the occasional dust devil or terrestrial tornado along the way. These are relatively harmless and more of an annoyance than anything else as they carry NO risk of sweeping even the smallest of first years high into the air. Just be sure to hold on to your belongings. The air itself was tainted in unpleasant waves of stench reminiscent of someone setting off a series of dung bombs every few minutes. But perhaps the strangest of all is the manner in which you move about within the classroom. You feel much lighter on your feet and your usual steps cause you to lift higher up into the air than usual. Not too much that you will knock your head against the ceiling, but enough that you could potentially jump double your own height - perhaps even a little bit MORE than that if you really tried.

When you do finally arrive at your desk you find a little souvenir waiting for you. The blackboard, positioned across from the semicircle of desks, has the following instructions written upon it:

Quote:

The space blanket is yours to use should conditions prove to be too cold for you.

Take out a quill and write your FULL name and year on the piece of parchment provided.

Once you have done so, give it a tap with your wand.

The parchment, enchanted by the professor himself, will turn into a sturdy wood name plaque when you do so. Don’t worry, even the first years and those not skilled with magic will be able to manage this little trick.

Speaking of the professor, you can find him leaning against his desk with his trusty pet rock by his side, his own space blanket utilized in a peculiar but perhaps not unexpected manner and his own head protected by a Bubble Head Charm.

Did you remember to use the lint roller on the small table outside of the classroom? It was there next to the sign that reads, "Not to be used as a brush for your hair" and has the signature of a former student in the bottom right corner.

So come on in and find a seat, class will begin shortly.

⌦Lesson Progression
▸ question 1 :: why do we study astronomy?
▸ question 2 :: what can be done to make the classroom a more comfortable environment?
▸ question 3 :: should the human race terraform Mars? Why or why not?
▸ main activity :: "SPACE GLOBIALS"

classroom layout for the activity
▸ main activity :: just a few clarifications! Neutral balls almost all gone!
▸ main activity :: UPDATE! Central platform is now empty
▸ main activity :: UPDATE! Approximate 24 hours warning.
▸ main activity :: UPDATE! Hufflepuff has no balls on their platform
▸ main activity :: end of activity
▸ class dismissed!