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Explain various astronomical phenomena
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participating in observing sessions
Completing an observation journal
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
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
Record 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 eclipses
Describe the appearance of the eclipsed body
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Explain daily and annual motions in the sky
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participating in observing sessions
Completing an observation journal
Taking 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. monthly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the background stars
Explain the longer-term movement (ex. monthly, annual, etc.) of the sun, moon, and planets relative to the background stars
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Apply astronomical coordinates to the sky
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participating in observing sessions
Completing an observation journal
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Use a starfinder (planisphere)
Use a celestial globe
Use sky simulation software
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 major achievements of ancient astronomy
Assessment Strategies
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Outline the astronomies of early cultures
Explain the contributions of the ancient Greeks to astronomy
Explain the contributions of early cultures to the understanding of seasons
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
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Taking 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 major properties of light
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
List types of electromagnetic radiation (light) in order of wavelength
Identify how to observe each type of electromagnetic radiation
Describe the following particle properties of light: reflection and photoelectric effect
Describe wave properties of light: reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and Doppler effect
Explain the relationship between light and atoms (spectroscopy)
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Identify the purpose of important space missions and astronomical experiments as they apply to our modern understanding of our solar system
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Identify the major past solar system missions and their target worlds (Galileo, Voyager, Magellan, Viking, Mariner, Apollo
)
Explain the major accomplishments of past missions
Explain the Mars Exploration Program missions and their purpose (Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Science Lab
Identify current missions and their target worlds (Messenger, Dawn, Juno, New Horizons, LRO
)
Explain major accomplishments and/or goals of current missions
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Characterize the basic categories of solar system objects
Assessment Strategies
Participate in class discussion
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Explain criteria for a planet
Explain criteria for a dwarf planet
Explain criteria for a planetary satellite
Explain criteria for a small-solar system body
Explain purpose for 2006 new definitions of solar system objects
Explain controversy surrounding Pluto and why it is not a planet
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Describe the Sun and solar activity
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Summarize the physical properties of the Sun
Explain the process of nuclear fusion occurring in the Sun
Explain the solar activity cycle
Explain how solar activity cycle influences the Earth (and other planets)
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Explain Earth's relationship to other objects in our solar system
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Explain major earth motions (rotation, revolution, and precession)
Explain tides
Describe Earths interior structure
Explain major geological process on Earth
Explain the structure of Earths atmosphere
Explain Earths aurora
Compare other solar system objects with Earth
Contrast other solar system objects with Earth
Model the scale of the solar system and Earths place in it
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Explain the properties of various solar system objects.
Assessment Strategies
Complete lab projects
Participate in class actvity
Participate in class discussion
Take written test/quiz
Criteria
Compare the terrestrial planets
Contrast the terrestrial planets
Compare the jovian planets
Contrast the jovian planets
Compare major planetary satellites
Contrast major planetary satellites
Summarize properties and characteristics of dwarf planets
Summarize properties and characteristics of asteroids
Summarize properties of icy and rocky bodies (KBOs, TNOs
)
Summarize properties and characteristics comets
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Describe the origin of our solar system
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Take written test/quiz
Criteria
Explain the nebular hypothesis
Explain the stages of planetary formation
Explain major stages of planetary evolution
Explain the importance of impacts
Compare our solar system with other planetary systems
Contrast our solar system with other planetary systems
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Explore the possibility of life in our solar system
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participate in class activity
Participate in class discussion
Take written test/quiz
Criteria
Determine the characteristics that all life must share
Explain the conditions which are favorable to life
List the solar system bodies that are life-candidates
Explain why these solar system bodies are life-candidates
Explore possible methods to scientifically search for life in our solar system
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
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Use various astronomical instruments (telescope, planisphere, etc.)
Assessment Strategies
Completing lab projects
Participating in observing sessions
Completing an observation journal
Taking written test/quiz
Criteria
Explain the major functions of a telescope and/or binoculars)
Focus a telescope and/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)
Use astronomical sky simulation software (i.e. Stellarium, Starry Night)
Use astronomical websites for data gathering (i.e. USNO Astronomical Applications, Heavens Above
)