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Explain astronomical phenomena
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
participating in observing sessions
completing an observation journal
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
observe the daily movement of the sun, moon, stars, and planets in the sky
explain the daily movement of the sun, moon, stars, and planets in the sky
observe the longer-term movement (ex. montly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the backgroud stars
explain the longer-term movement (ex. montly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the backgroud stars
explain the causes and effects of seasons
observe the lunar phases and motions in the sky
sketch the lunar phases and motions in the sky
explain the lunar phases and motions in the sky
observe the annual motion of Sun in the sky
explain the annual motion of Sun in the sky
explain the conditions necessary for solar and lunar elcipses
describe the appearance of the eclipsed body
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Use various astronomical tools
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
attending observing sessions
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
explain the major functions of a telescope (or binoculars)
focus a telescope (or binoculars)
explain the structure of reflecting and refracting telescopes
sketch the structure of reflecting and refracting telescopes
use a starfinder (planisphere)
explain the function of spectroscopes (diffraction gratings)
use a spectroscope (diffraction grating)
explain the function of photometers (filters)
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Apply astronomical coordinates
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
participating in observing sessions
completing an observation journal
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
use a starfinder (planisphere)
use a celestial globe
explain the equatorial coordinate system (right ascension and declination)
explain the horizon coordinate system (altitude and azimuth)
use altitude and azimuth in your observations
identify the ecliptic, the zodiac, bright stars, major constellations and asterisms
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Summarize the achievements of ancient astronomers
Assessment Strategies
participating in discussion activity
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
outline the cosmologies of early cultures
explain the contributions of the ancient Greeks to astronomy
explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of eclipses
explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of lunar phases
explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of time and development of calendars
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Summarize the advancements in astronomy during the Renaissance
Assessment Strategies
by participating in the class
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
summarize the contributions of Copernicus
summarize the contributions of Brahe
summarize the contributions of Galileo
summarize the contributions of Kepler
summarize the contributions of Newton
contrast the relative merits of the heliocentric and geocentric views
explain how Galileo's telescopic discoveries undermined the Ptolemaic model and supported the Copernican model
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Summarize the modern theories of astronomy
Assessment Strategies
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
summarize the contributions of Einstein
summarize the contributions of Hubble
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Describe the Sun and Solar Activity
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
summarize the physical properties of the Sun
explain the process of nuclear fusion occuring in the Sun
explain the solar activity cycle
explain how solar activity cycle influences the Earth (and other planets)
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Explain how various stellar properties are determined
Assessment Strategies
participating in discussion activity
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
explain how to use stellar spectra to determine stellar temperatures, compositions, radial vecities, magnetic fields, and rotation rates
explain how to determine distances to stars
explain how to determine luminosities of stars
demonstrate the relationship between flux, luminosity, and distance
demonstrate the relationship between luminosity, radius, and temperature (Stephan-Boltzman relationship)
explain how to use binary stars to determine stellar masses and radii
plot stellar information on a HR diagram
interpret an HR diagram
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Explain the evolution of stars
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
explain the evolution of the Sun (a low mass star) from birth to death
explain the evolution of a high mass star from birth to death
compare the evolution of stars of various masses (ex. low mass stars vs. high mass stars)
contrast the evolution of stars of various masses (ex. low mass stars vs. high mass stars)
relate the current status of extra-solar planetary searches
summarize how astronomers search for and detect extra-solar planets
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Explain how astronomers determine the properties of the Milky Way
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
explain how our view of the Milky Way has changed with time
sketch the Milky Way
characterize the major components of the Milky Way
explain how to determine the dimensions of the Milky Way
exlpain how to measure the mass of the Milky Way
describe the evolution of the Milky Way
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Explain the properties of galaxies in general
Assessment Strategies
participating in discussion activity
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
characterize the basic types of galaxies
sketch the basic types of galaxies
classify galaxies by their basic types
explain how astronomers determine the sizes of galaxies
explain how astronomers determine the composition of galaxies
explain how astronomers determine the distances to galaxies
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Describe the structure of the universe
Assessment Strategies
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
identify our location in universe
describe the large scale structure of universe
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Describe the evolution of the universe
Assessment Strategies
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
explain Hubble's observation of the expansion of the universe
explain the cosmological principle
investigate current cosmologies (especially Big Bang Theory)
outline evidence for Big Bang Theory
summarize the origin and early evolution of universe
summarize the possible fates of universe
explain what observations astronomers are making in order to more accurately determine the fate of the universe
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Summarize basic properties of solar system objects
Assessment Strategies
participating in discussion activity
completing lab projects
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
compare the terrestrial planets
contrast the terrestrial planets
compare the jovian planets
contrast the jovian planets
compare major satellites
contrast major satellites
summarize properties and characteristics of asteroids
summarize properties and characteristics comets
summarize other solar system objects
identify the major solar system missions and their accomplishments
compare our solar system with other planetary systems
contrast our solar system with other planetary systems
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Describe the origin of our solar system
Assessment Strategies
taking a written test/quiz
Criteria
describe the origin of our solar system
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Explore the possibility of life in universe
Assessment Strategies
participating in discussion activity
completing lab projects
Criteria
determine characteristics that all life must share
determine characteristics that may indicate intelligence
explore possible methods to scientifically search for life in our solar system
explore possible methods to scientifically search for life in universe
assess the issues or problems that scientists may encounter in the search for extra terrestrial life
evaluate the worthiness of the search for extra terrestrial life