Astronomy

A. INQUIRY SKILLS

Students will design and conduct scientific investigations Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations Use appropriate tools, technology, and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data Organize and maintain a journal showing all phases of investigations Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence and logic Use mathematics to explain, interpret, and improve investigations and communications Construct logical relationships between evidence and explanations Identify and analyze alternative explanations, models, and predictions Demonstrate understanding about scientific inquiry Use fair test procedures
Students will communicate scientific procedures and explanations Demonstrate effective methods to organize and display scientific concepts Present investigative procedures and results to others verbally, graphically, and in writing Communicate science concepts accurately and clearly, using scientific vocabulary

B. ASTRONOMY CONTENT

Students will explain theories concerning the origin and evolution of the solar system Describe factors that have historically affected scientific knowledge about the solar system Compare methods used by ancient astronomers to measure distances and sizes of objects (examples: sun, moon, and earth) Explain how knowledge of celestial motions and mechanics has evolved since ancient times Compare modern theories concerning the formation of the universe Describe human efforts to explain the solar system through myths and superstitions
Students will compare early measurement techniques to modern calculations Identify early methods used by humans to subdivide the solar day before the invention of mechanical time pieces Compare the motions of the earth, moon, sun, planets, and stars Measure altitude and azimuth of observable celestial objects Determine how celestial motions effect the Earth (examples: seasons, day and night) Examine interplanetary and interstellar distances in terms of light years, parsecs, and astronomical units Compare calculations of distances and speeds using astronomical units and conventional units Describe the historic evolution of how stellar distances were measured
Students will relate solar system motions to time Recognize that the motions of the sun, moon, and earth result in our standard year, day, and hour Discover the relationship between the length of a day and the season of the year Distinguish the difference in a solar day and a sidereal day Define the concept and purpose of daylight savings time
Students will describe physical characteristics of the moon and quantitatively evaluate the moon's effect on the Earth Determine orbital and physical characteristics of the moon (examples: mass, diameter, distance from Earth) Distinguish the difference between lunar and solar eclipses Describe physical characteristics of the moon (examples: surface features, temperature, atmosphere) Quantitatively calculate a surface feature of the moon as observed from the Earth Discuss possible origins of the moon Explain how the moon affects the Earth's tides and the impact of these tides on the Earth's economy
Students will compare the planets and consider the probability of similar stellar systems in our universe Describe major characteristics of planets (examples: size, temperature, distances, motions and satellites) Identify non-planetary solar system objects Compare the distances between solar objects Recognize observable motions and physical characteristics of planets Distinguish orbital characteristics of meteors, asteroids, and comets Research recent discoveries of the outer planets Analyze possible origins of the solar system
Students will compare stars and contrast their evolution Explain the life cycles of stars Examine the interior structure of stars and how energy is produced Classify stars according to standard criteria Identify early theories concerning the stars (examples: fixed points on a crystal sphere, legends regarding the stars) Analyze the potential impact of fusion on society Develop the concept of supernova and the possible ramification of such an event
Students will compare the physical characteristics of the sun to other stars Contrast physical characteristics of the sun with other stars Determine the physical differences between the sun and earth (examples: volume, mass, temperature, and surface characteristics) Identify three apparent motions of the sun as observed from earth Evaluate the economical harnessing of solar energy and its significance for humans
Students will distinguish the Milky Way from other galaxies Distinguish physical characteristics of the Milky Way Galaxy Locate the sun's position in our galaxy Describe the existence of other galaxies in the universe Investigate future possibilities of energy production through studies of galaxies and quasars
Students will evaluate the space program's contributions to society Evaluate the significance of the US space program to information about the solar system Describe the costs and complexities of sending people into space Develop a historical time line of space exploration Determine cost-benefits of the space program

C. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Students will demonstrate abilities in technological design Design and construct a new solution to an identified problem (example: optical instruments) Determine the effectiveness of the solution Design and conduct an investigation to determine the quality of commercial products
Students will understand about science and technology Determine how science and technology are interrelated Compare the intended benefits and unintended consequences of a technology Explain constraints in technological designs

D. SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES

Students will practice safety Demonstrate personal and group safety when engaged in science activities Describe health problems related to light and sound (examples: electromagnetic fields, noise pollution) Analyze the use of personal safety devices (examples: sun glasses, UV filters)
Students will evaluate the factors affecting environmental quality Establish criteria for environmental quality Analyze factors that impact on the quality of the environment (examples: population growth, consumption of resources, culture) Investigate pollution related to space and the solar system
Students will understand the availability and consumption of natural resources Distinguish between nonrenewable and renewable natural resources Investigate resources in the solar system and their availability Evaluate risks and benefits of natural hazards related to space

E. HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE

Students investigate examples of science as a human endeavor Cite examples of how scientific endeavor involves teamwork Examine the ethical traditions of scientists Investigate contributions from scientists representing different cultures and genders Research a selected scientific career (examples: costs, required professional preparation, job opportunities)
Students will explain the nature of scientific knowledge Explain how science distinguishes itself from other ways of knowing Analyze criteria used by scientists in their research and publications Explain how scientific information is tentative and always changing
Students will understand important historical events of science Describe the efforts of scientists, valued in their societies, who have contributed to scientific knowledge Explain how different cultures have contributed to scientific research Investigate how scientific and technological advances have contributed to society (examples: Hubble Telescope, formation of galaxies)