2023 Winner

2023 Winner

2023 Winner

2023 Winner

Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpius, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, and Pisces. These are the 12 signs of the Zodiac.

My personal favorite way to remember the signs is through this mnemonic device:

Any time Granny covets Leo’s vegan lunch, she should cut a pizza.

We’ve heard other acrostics over the years as well. Here are some of my favorites…

• All the great constellations live very long since stars can’t alter physics.
• As the great cook likes very little salt, she compensates adding pepper.
• At the great campout little Victoria looked skyward, searching constellations around Polaris.
• At the Grand Celebration, Lizzy Vanderpool lost several semi-costly antique pearls.
• Annie takes good care licking Valentine’s, lovingly sending sealed cards and pictures.
• Always trying gross combinations, Lucy’s vast lasagna, sardine, saffron creation always prospers.
• All the grey cats left Virginia looking sad, since cats are prohibited.
• Although the Grand Canyon looks very lovely, several smaller canyons are prettier.
• After taking German, Cancer loved vacationing lavishly, sipping sweet cocoa and pancakes.
• All The Great Cat Lords Vivaciously Love Summers Spent Canoeing Around Purrrrrrrrsia.

In 2020, Julia submitted this fantastic poem…

Aries the Ram is seen in November
Of these 12 constellations, he’s the first member.
Next comes Taurus the Bull; he is best
Spied in December, to Orion’s northwest.
Gemini the Twins, Castor and Pollux
Are in January out for their frolic.
Cancer the Crab comes out for a swim
In February, though he is quite dim.
And if in March you hear a growl
Leo the Lion is out for his prowl.
Virgo the Virgin is always best able
To be seen in the month of April.
Libra the Scales, to whom Virgo’s related
Is glimpsed in May (at least that’s how it’s stated).
Scorpio the Scorpion is seen with the moon
Most clearly in the month of June.
Sagittarius the Archer, with bow aimed high
Is principally seen in the month of July.
Capricornus the Sea Goat is one you can trust
He is best viewed in the month of August.
Aquarius the Water Bearer you should remember
Since he’s likely found in the month of September.
Pisces the Fishes, two beautiful beasts
Are viewed in October—last but not least!

Can you come up with something better?

Yearly Zodiac Contest

Every year we run a contest in our Experience Astronomy course asking students to come up with a clever way to memorize these 12 constellations in order. Every year the students come up with creative ideas. One girl made up a song to the tune of “10 Little Indians.” Some choose to write poems. One student invented a clever card game involving dice and math.

2023 Winner

 Gillian wrote this clever memory tool…

      All the good children like very lovely stars, space constellations, and planets.

2022 Winner

Kaylee wrote and composed a song that you can watch here…

Aries the Ram is the first constellation,
the Taurus the Bull so white.
After Gemini the twins by relation,
Cancer the Crab is in sight.
Leo the Lion with a hide tough as nails,
Virgo the goddess of harvest.
Next is seen Libra the great justice scales,
Scorpius, he is best.
Archer on high is Sagittarius,
Capricornus is a goat.
Finally water bearer Aquarius,
and Pisces, two fish who float.

2021 Winner

Myla created this mnemonic device…

After the galaxy collapsed, light vanished, leaving stars shattered, catapulting at planets.

2020 Winner

Alaina wrote this…

Astronomy taught Greg’s cousin Lydia various lifelong skills she can always practice.

2019 Winner

From Gareth from Michigan wrote this device:

Active tectonic gyrations could launch volcanic lava skyward, surely causing a panic

2018 Winner

Victoria from West Virginia wrote this creative poem…

First is Aries, called the Ram
Next comes Taurus, tamed by man
Third is Gemini, twins of birth
After, Cancer, prove Hercules worth
Leo, the Lion, prowls in August
Virgo the Maiden works the harvest
Libra weighs the world in Fall
Scorpius, Orion mauled
Sagittarius is Archer man
Capricornus is fish-goat plan
Aquarius the bearer of drink
And last is Pisces, two fish linked
The Zodiac is very neat!

2017 Winner

Ella from Arizona created this mnemonic device…

At the game, Cathy licked Victor’s lollipop so she could avoid Peter.

2016 Winner:

Jedidiah created a song to the tune of Yankee Doodle.

2015 Winner:

Noah from Illinois wrote this device:

A toad got caught lying very loudly, so someone called a policeman.  

How about you? What’s the best way you know to memorize the 12 signs of the zodiac?