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1 Glen Ridge Public Schools – Science Curriculum Course Title: Astronomy Subject: Science Grade Level: 11,12 Duration: 34-36 weeks Prerequisite: Algebra Elective or Required: Elective Science Mission Statement: The Glen Ridge Public School’s science curriculum seeks to develop scientifically literate life-long learners. Our program fosters a spirit of intellectual curiosity and collaborative problem solving that is authentic, hands-on, inquiry based and developmentally appropriate. This is done through the study of Life, Physical, Earth and Environmental Science. Our students will use the scientific method to understand and respond to questions about science, technology and global issues. Students will be challenged and encouraged to take risks and to develop critical thinking Skills as they apply to real-world experiences. Course Description: This course will provide an overview of fundamental concepts in Astronomy, from its historical development to our most recent understanding of the solar system, stars, galaxies, black holes and the origin of the universe. Topics to be studied will include light, astronomical instruments, important astronomers throughout history, the formation and evolution of planets and moons, stellar life cycles, structure and evolution of the universe and gravitation. Special topics will include space exploration and relativity. Author: Sean McLearie Date Submitted: Summer 2013

Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Page 1: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

1

Glen Ridge Public Schools – Science Curriculum Course Title: Astronomy

Subject: Science

Grade Level: 11,12

Duration: 34-36 weeks

Prerequisite: Algebra

Elective or Required: Elective

Science Mission Statement: The Glen Ridge Public School’s science curriculum seeks to develop

scientifically literate life-long learners. Our program fosters a spirit of

intellectual curiosity and collaborative problem solving that is authentic,

hands-on, inquiry based and developmentally appropriate. This is done

through the study of Life, Physical, Earth and Environmental Science.

Our students will use the scientific method to understand and respond to

questions about science, technology and global issues. Students will be

challenged and encouraged to take risks and to develop critical thinking

Skills as they apply to real-world experiences.

Course Description: This course will provide an overview of fundamental concepts in Astronomy,

from its historical development to our most recent understanding of the solar

system, stars, galaxies, black holes and the origin of the universe. Topics to be

studied will include light, astronomical instruments, important astronomers

throughout history, the formation and evolution of planets and moons, stellar

life cycles, structure and evolution of the universe and gravitation. Special

topics will include space exploration and relativity.

Author: Sean McLearie

Date Submitted: Summer 2013

Page 2: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Topic Standard Standard Name

Introduction to

Astronomy

5.1A,C Understanding Scientific Explanations

Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge

The Night Sky 5.4A Objects in the Universe

Electromagnetic

Radiation

5.2C Forms of Energy

Spectral Analysis 5.2D Energy Transfer and Conservation

Astronomical

Instruments

5.1A,C Understanding Scientific Explanations

Space Exploration 5.1C Understanding Scientific Explanations

Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge

History of

Astronomy

5.1A,C Understanding Scientific Explanations

Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge

Gravitation and

Relativity

5.1A

5.2E

Understanding Scientific Explanations

Motion and Forces

Sun-Earth-Moon

System

5.4A Objects in the Universe

Planet Earth 5.4A,B,D Objects in the Universe

History of Earth

Tectonics

The Solar System 5.4A Objects in the Universe

The Sun 5.4A

5.2D

Objects in the Universe

Energy Transfer and Conservation

Stellar Properties

5.1A

5.4A

Understanding Scientific Explanations

Objects in the Universe

Stellar Life Cycles 5.4A

5.2D

Objects in the Universe

Energy Transfer and Conservation

Galaxies and

Cosmology

5.4A

5.1A,C

Objects in the Universe

Understanding Scientific Explanations

Reflecting on Scientific Knowledge

Page 3: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Topic/Unit: Introduction to Astronomy Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

1. What is Astronomy and how does it differ from Astrology?

2. How big is the universe?

3. What units of distance are used in astronomy?

4. How was the first successful determination of light speed made?

5. How do we measure distances to nearby stars?

6. What is the basic structure of the solar system?

7. How do we define life and how may life have originated on Earth?

8. What is the likelihood that extraterrestrial life exists?

9. How has the Hubble Telescope improved our understanding of the universe?

10. How have space missions improved our understanding of the solar system?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the scale of the known universe. (Standard 5.1A,C)

2. Describe the structure of the solar system. (Standard 5.1A,C)

3. Define life as we know it and discuss the probability for its existence elsewhere in the

universe. (Standard 5.1A,C)

4. Explain how discoveries made by the Hubble Space telescope have improved our

overall understanding of the universe. (Standard 5.1A,C)

5. Explain how discoveries made by interplanetary spacecraft have improved our

overall understanding of the solar system, (Standard 5.1A,C)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities: Complete group problem sets solving math problems involving exponents, scientific

notation, units of distance and conversions.

Complete group problem sets calculating the distances to various celestial objects in SI

units from given data.

Analyze a scale model of the universe and calculate travel times at sub light-speed

velocities.

Enrichment Activities: Research environments on Earth where extremophiles exist and identify other locations

in the solar system where conditions may be similar.

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

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Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Laboratory activities and reports

Essay

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon)

Stellarium

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: The Night Sky Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

1. What is the celestial sphere and how is it organized to locate celestial bodies?

2. What are constellations and why are certain ones associated with the months of

the year?

3. What is declination and how do we measure it?

4. What is right ascension and how do we measure it?

5. Why do celestial objects appear to move as they do across the sky?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Define declination and right ascension and relate them to celestial latitude and

longitude. (Standard 5.4A)

2. Locate celestial bodies on a celestial sphere from declination and right ascension.

(Standard 5.4A)

3. Plot the coordinates of celestial bodies on a celestial sphere. (Standard 5.4A)

4. Describe the apparent motions of celestial objects over the course of a day/night and a

year and provide an explanation for these apparent motions. (Standard 5.4A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.1- Computer and Information Literacy

Activities: Plot the coordinates of various celestial bodies on graph paper.

Locate and plot celestial bodies from coordinates on a celestial sphere.

Locate and plot the constellations on a celestial sphere and provide their approximate

declination and right ascension coordinates.

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Enrichment Activities: Identify the celestial coordinates of the planets on given dates.

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky)

Stellarium

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: Electromagnetic Radiation

Approximate # of Weeks: 3

Essential Questions: 1. What is light?

2. What are the components of an electromagnetic wave?

3. At what speed does electromagnetic radiation travel?

4. What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?

5. What is reflection, refraction?

6. What types of radiation are transparent in Earth’s atmosphere?

7. What types of radiation are dangerous to living organisms?

8. What is a photon?

9. What is the relationship between light intensity and distance?

10. What is the relationship between energy and wavelength/frequency?

11. What is the Doppler effect and why is it important in astronomy?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify the components of an electromagnetic wave. (Standard 5.2C)

2. Identify the different types of electromagnetic radiation and understand the

relationship between wavelength and frequency. (Standard 5.2C)

3. Describe the nature of color as it relates to vision and the spectrum. (Standard 5.2C)

4. Describe the wave nature of light as it relates to diffraction. (Standard 5.2C)

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5. Relate the term “photon” to the particle nature of light and describe the photoelectric

effect. (Standard 5.2D)

6. Relate atmospheric transparency to the various forms of radiation. (Standard 5.2D)

7. Calculate the intensity of light at a given distance. (Standard 5.2D)

8. Relate temperature to wavelength and calculate wavelength from temperature.

(Standard 5.2D)

9. Describe the Doppler effect and explain how it is used to measure relative motion.

(Standard 5.2C)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities: Construct a sample electromagnetic wave and identify all of its components.

Measure the wavelengths of various scaled electromagnetic waves, convert them to their

true wavelengths and determine their colors.

Complete group problem sets utilizing the light intensity law to determine the brightness

of a source at various distances.

Interpret an atmospheric transparency diagram to determine where various forms of

electromagnetic radiation can be detected.

Enrichment Activities: Compare the wave and particle properties of light energy.

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Quiz

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Essay

Topic/Unit: Spectral Analysis Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

Page 7: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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1. What is a continuous spectrum, an absorption spectrum, an emission spectrum?

4. Why do stars produce an absorption spectrum?

5. How does an absorption spectrum allow us to determine a star’s composition?

6. How does an absorption spectrum allow us to measure a star’s temperature?

7. How does the energy output of a star change as its temperature increases?

8. How does the peak intensity wavelength of radiation change as temperature increases?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify a continuous, absorption and emission spectrum and distinguish between them.

(Standard 5.2D)

2. Describe how each of the three types of spectra are produced. (Standard 5.2D)

3. Explain how stellar spectra are used to classify stars. (Standard 5.2D)

4. Relate energy flux to temperature. (Standard 5.2D)

5. Describe changes in wavelength relative to temperature. (Standard 5.2D)

6. Relate energy output and peak intensity wavelength to Planck’s law. (Standard 5.2D)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities: Graph changes in wavelength and energy flux relative to temperature.

Complete group problem sets utilizing the radiation laws to compare fundamental

properties of hypothetical stars.

Construct a hypothetical model with the ability to create each of the three types of spectra.

Create a graphical representation of how the thickness of spectral lines changes with

spectral type.

Enrichment Activities: Power Point presentation:

The development of the radiation laws and how our understanding of the basic properties

of light energy was achieved.

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Page 8: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Laboratory activities and reports

Oral presentation

Topic/Unit: Astronomical Instruments

Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

1. What is a reflecting telescope?

2. What is a refracting telescope?

3. What is chromatic aberration?

4. What is spherical aberration?

5. Where are the different forms of electromagnetic radiation studied in Earth’s

atmosphere?

6. How is Earth protected from high energy forms of radiation?

7. How do we observe in wavelengths other than visible light?

8. What are the advantages of the Hubble telescope over ground-based telescopes?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the basic components of a refracting and reflecting telescope. (Standard 5.1A)

2. Explain how the different forms of radiation are studied in Earth’s atmosphere.

(Standard 5.1A)

3. Identify problems associated with the construction and use of very large telescopes.

(Standard 5.1A)

4. Identify the advantages of a space telescope over a ground-based telescope.

(Standard 5.1A)

5. Explain the advantages of spin-casting and the use of segmented mirrors in new

telescope technology. (Standard 5.1A)

6.Calculate light-gathering, resolving power, and magnification capabilities for telescopes

with various objective diameters.

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2-Technology Education

Activities: Construct schematic diagrams of refracting and reflecting telescopes for various

magnifications.

Complete group problem sets utilizing the angular diameters of various celestial objects

to determine the size of the telescope objective that would be required to resolve them.

Enrichment Activities: Power Point presentation:

Page 9: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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The development of the Kepler telescope project and how it is able to detect extra-solar

planets.

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky)

Stellarium

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Oral presentation

Topic/Unit: Space Exploration Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions: 1. What events initiated the space race?

2. What countries competed in the space race?

3. Which planets/moons have been explored with fly-by spacecraft?

4. Which planets/moons have been explored with orbiting spacecraft?

5. Which planets/moons have been explored with landers?

6. Where are humans most likely to expand the search for extraterrestrial life?

7. What have we learned about the Moon and the planets Mercury, Venus and Mars?

8. What have we learned about the outer solar system?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the course of events that led to the space race and identify milestone space

missions. (Standard 5.1C)

2. Relate the U.S. Apollo moon program to the cold war. (Standard 5.1C)

3. Summarize the discoveries resulting from space missions to the inner solar system.

(Standard 5.1C)

4. Summarize the discoveries resulting from space missions to the outer solar system.

(Standard 5.1C)

Page 10: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 9.3- Career Awareness, Exploration, and Preparation

Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Activites: Present a chronology on the development of the Voyager and Apollo programs.

Stage an informal debate on the usefulness of telescopes vs. spacecraft for making new

discoveries.

Video- The Apollo Moon Program

Enrichment Activities: Propose a space mission designed to search for extraterrestrial life in our solar system.

Where would we go? How would we get there? What would we do once there?

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Laboratory activities and reports

Project/Interview

Essay

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Mars, Moon)

Topic/Unit: History of Astronomy

Approximate # of Weeks: 3

Essential Questions:

1. What ancient ideas about astronomy inhibited our early understanding of the

universe?

2. What idea or discovery initiated the Renaissance era of astronomy?

3. What is retrograde motion and how did it inhibit early understanding of planetary

orbits?

4. How did Johannes Kepler explain planetary motions?

5. How did the work of Tycho Brahe assist Kepler in explaining planetary motions?

6. What is the relationship between a planet’s orbital period and its distance from the

Sun?

Page 11: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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7. How did the telescope revolutionize astronomy?

8. How did Galileo’s discoveries change people’s ideas about the universe?

9. How was Isaac Newton’s work a continuation of Kepler’s and Galileo’s?

10. How did Einstein improve upon Newton’s understanding of gravity?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish between Geo-centric and Helio-centric models of the universe.

(Standard 5.1A)

2. Identify obstacles to early civilizations’ understanding of the universe. (Standard 5.1A)

3. Discuss the contributions of Copernicus, Kepler, Galileo, and Newton to modern

astronomy. (Standard 5.1C)

4. Describe Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion and relate them to Newton’s law of

universal gravitation. (Standard 5.1A)

6. Describe General Relativity as a new way to understand gravity. (Standard 5.1A)

7. Discuss the importance of the work of Annie Jump Cannon and the Harvard astronomy

team to the classification of stellar spectra. (Standard 5.1C)

8. Discuss the significance of Dr. Chandrasekhar’s discovery about core stellar mass.

(Standard 5.1A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities: Construct ellipses and relate the semi-major axes of the planets to their orbital periods.

Complete group problem sets calculating the force of gravitational attraction between the

Sun and each of the planets.

Video- Beyond Relativity (Part 2)

Enrichment Activities: Power Point presentation:

The life and work of one of the astronomers discussed in class.

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Quiz

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Oral presentation

Page 12: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky)

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: Gravitation and Relativity

Approximate # of Weeks: 1

Essential Questions:

1. How does distance affect the relationship between mass and the gravitational

force?

2. Why does Einstein refer to space as space-time?

3. What observations/experiments support Einstein’s theory of General Relativity?

4. Why is it theoretically possible to travel forward in time but not backward?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the effects of mass on the gravitational force. (Standard 5.2E)

2. Calculate the gravitational force from mass and distance. (Standard 5.2E)

3. Discuss the importance of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity in explaining gravity.

(Standard 5.1A)

4. Compare and contrast Newton’s and Einstein’s descriptions of the gravitational force.

(Standards 5.1A, 5.2E)

5. Describe the relationship between mass and the curvature of space-time.

(Standards 5.1A, 5.2E)

6. Describe the relationship between the curvature of space and the constancy of time.

(Standard 5.1A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities: Complete group problem sets calculating relativistic time dilation at incremental speeds.

Video- Isaac Newton- The Gravity of Genius

Video- Beyond Relativity (Part 2)

Enrichment Activities: Summarize Einstein’s theories of Special and General Relativity.

Summarize the “twins trip” as supporting evidence for time travel or the “grandfather

paradox” as supporting evidence against time travel.

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Page 13: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Exit slips

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Laboratory activities and reports

Essay

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Topic/Unit: Sun-Earth-Moon System

Approximate # of Weeks: 3

Essential Questions:

1. What are the rotational and orbital periods of the Earth and Moon?

2. Why does synchronous rotation occur?

3. What evidence proves that the Earth is rotating and revolving around the Sun?

4. What is the difference between a sidereal day and a solar day?

5. What is the difference between a sidereal period and a synodic period?

6. How is the calendar related to Earth’s period of revolution?

7. What are the relative positions of Sun, Earth and Moon during lunar and solar

eclipses?

8. Why do eclipses not occur every month and why are solar eclipses unique?

9. Why does the Sun’s apparent position in the sky change over the course of a year?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Distinguish between rotational and orbital periods and identify the rotational and

orbital periods for the Earth and Moon. (Standard 5.4A)

2. Describe the observational evidence for Earth’s rotation, revolution. (Standard 5.4A)

3. Distinguish between a solar day and a sidereal day and identify their

respective periods. (Standard 5.4A)

4. Describe the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Moon during solar and lunar

eclipses. (Standard 5.4A)

5. Describe the position of the Earth relative to the Sun at equinox, winter and summer

solstice. (Standard 5.4A)

6. Explain the variation in the Sun’s altitude from a given location over the course of a

year. (Standard 5.4A)

7. Relate seasons to latitude and variations in Earth’s axial tilt relative to the Sun.

(Standard 5.4A)

8. Describe Moon phases and explain why they occur. (Standard 5.4A)

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Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.1- Computer and Information Literacy

Standard 4.2- Geometry and Measurement

Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities: Diagram a solar and lunar eclipse.

Diagram Moon phases and plot lunar positions.

Complete group problem sets calculating the Sun’s altitude from hypothetical latitudes

and dates.

Construct a Foucault pendulum.

Video- The Moon.

Video- Beyond Relativity (Part 2)

Enrichment Activities: Research theories on the origin of the moon and present an argument for the giant impact

theory.

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Quiz

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Project/Interview

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon)

Stellarium

Topic/Unit: Planet Earth

Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

1. How does Earth’s magnetic field shield us from solar radiation?

2. How does heat from Earth’s interior produce an atmosphere?

3. Why does Earth’s crust move over time?

4. How and when was continental drift discovered/confirmed?

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5. What is the driving force behind crustal plate motion?

6. What processes occur at each type of crustal plate boundary?

7. What features can be found at each type of crustal plate boundary?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Explain how the study of seismic waves has led to an understanding of Earth’s interior.

(Standard 5.4D)

2. Explain the role of Earth’s core in producing a magnetic field. (Standard 5.4D)

2. Describe the process of plate tectonics as it relates to crustal plate motion and plate

boundaries. (Standard 5.4D)

3. Identify important features of crustal plate boundaries. (Standard 5.4A)

4. Explain the role of Earth’s core in circulating molten rock. (Standard 5.4D)

5. Provide a chronology for continental drift/plate tectonics theory. (Standard 5.4B)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Activities: Model an ancient Greek method of measuring Earth’s circumference.

Diagram Earth’s interior.

Construct a crustal plate model.

Enrichment Activities: Research the subduction of the Pacific plate and present a new hypothesis to explain its

speed/motion relative to the other crustal plates.

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Diagram/Display

Laboratory activities and reports

Essay

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: The Solar System

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Approximate # of Weeks: 4

Essential Questions:

1. How did the solar system form?

2. Why do two classes of planets exist and what is meant by Terrestrial, Jovian?

3. How did Earth’s water get here?

4. How did the Jovian moons form?

5. What are dwarf planets and comets and how is their presence in the outer solar

system similar to the presence of the asteroid belt in the inner solar system?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the events that led to the formation of the solar system. (Standard 5.4A)

2. Distinguish between Terrestrial and Jovian planets and describe the basic characteristics

of each of the eight planets. (Standard 5.4A)

3. Describe how the inner and outer planets are believed to have formed. (Standard 5.4A)

4. Hypothesize how water came to exist on Earth. (Standard 5.4A)

5. Identify promising locations in the solar system where life may exist and describe the

conditions with respect to the possibility of life. (Standard 5.4A)

6. Describe asteroids, comets and dwarf planets. (Standard 5.4A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Activities: Create a scale model of the solar system.

Construct an ellipse and compare the eccentricities of planetary orbits.

Measure greatest eastern and western elongations for the inferior planets.

Diagram opposition, conjunction and eastern/western quadrature for the superior planets.

Construct comparison tables for the Terrestrial and Jovian planets.

Enrichment Activities: Submit a proposal to your space agency for a mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa.

Why should we invest in a mission to Europa in our search for extraterrestrial life?

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Mars, Moon)

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Quiz

Page 17: Glen Ridge Public Schools€¦ · Horizons- Exploring the Universe Online Resources: Teacher webpage Google Earth (Sky, Mars, Moon) Stellarium Virtual Astronomy Laboratory Topic/Unit:

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Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Project/Interview

Topic/Unit: The Sun

Approximate # of Weeks: 1

Essential Questions:

1. How does the Sun produce energy?

2. What is the composition of the Sun?

3. What is the Sun’s temperature regime throughout its layers?

4. How is the Maunder minimum related to the Sun’s magnetic field?

5. How are sun spots, solar flares and prominences produced?

6. How do we know that the Sun produces antimatter and neutrinos?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to: 1. Explain how the Sun produces energy. (Standard 5.2D)

2. Describe the structure of the Sun. (Standard 5.4A)

3. Distinguish between the photosphere, chromosphere and corona. (Standard 5.4A)

4. Describe the Sun’s magnetic field and its effects on the solar surface. (Standard 5.2D)

5. Describe the solar cycle. (Standard 5.2D)

6. Describe the changes that will occur as our Sun nears the end of its life.

(Standard 5.2D)

7.Explain how the surface of the Sun is studied. (Standard 5.2D)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Activities: Record and analyze sunspot patterns on the solar surface to draw conclusions about the

Sun’s rotational properties.

Analyze surface features of the Sun’s photosphere to draw conclusions about the Sun’s

magnetic field.

Video- The Sun.

Enrichment Activities: Power Point presentation:

A synopsis on the history of neutrinos.

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature:

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Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Laboratory activities and reports

Oral presentation

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: Stellar Properties

Approximate # of Weeks: 4

Essential Questions:

1. How do stars produce energy?

2. How do we measure stellar distances?

3. What is the difference between luminosity and brightness?

4. What is the relationship between luminosity, temperature and radius?

5. What is the difference between apparent and absolute magnitude?

6. How are magnitudes assigned numerical values?

7. What are Cepheid variable stars and how are they useful in measuring distances?

8. What are type I supernovae and how are they useful in measuring distances?

9. What is the relationship between stellar mass, orbital period and distance?

10. How are the orbits of binary stars used to determine their masses?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe the process of nuclear fusion in stars. (Standard 5.2D)

2. Describe the methods used for determining stellar distances. (Standard 5.4A)

3. Calculate distance from parallax shift. (Standard 5.4A)

4. Calculate radius from luminosity. (Standard 5.4A)

5. Calculate stellar distances from apparent and absolute magnitudes. (Standard 5.4A)

6. Describe how variable stars are used to measure stellar distances. (Standard 5.4A)

7. Describe the methods used for detecting extra-solar planets. (Standard 5.1A)

8. Summarize the methods used for determining stellar compositions, temperatures,

luminosities, masses, diameters and distances. (Standard 5.4A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

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Standard 4.5- Mathematical Processes

Activities: Construct a model of parallax.

Complete group problem sets calculating brightness differences for hypothetical stars

from brightness ratios.

Complete group problem sets calculating stellar distances from magnitude differences.

Complete group problem sets calculating stellar radii from temperatures and luminosities.

Complete group problem sets calculating stellar masses in binary systems using Kepler’s

harmonic law.

Enrichment Activities: Power Point presentation:

How have Type I supernovae improved our understanding of the dimensions of the

universe?

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Exit slips

Quiz

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Oral presentation

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online Resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky)

Stellarium

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: Stellar Life Cycles

Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

1. How long do stars live?

2. How do stars begin life?

3. How do stars end life?

4. What is a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and what does it tell us about stars?

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5. How does a star’s mass affect its life cycle?

6. How does a star’s mass determine its fate?

7. What are main sequence, red giant and white dwarf stars?

8. What is a type I supernova?

9. What is a type II supernova?

10. What is the Chandrasekhar limit?

11. What is a neutron star?

12. How do black holes form?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Summarize the chronology of events in the life of a typical star.

(Standards 5.2D, 5.4A)

2. Describe the processes that produce red giant stars and white dwarf stars.

(Standards 5.2D, 5.4A)

3. Identify key elements produced at the conclusion of each life stage in stars.

(Standard 5.4A)

4. Provide a detailed chronology of events that occur after iron formation in stellar cores.

(Standards 5.2D, 5.4A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Activities: Construct a Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.

Construct diagrams of the interiors of low mass, massive, and super-massive stars.

Video- Life Cycles of Stars.

Enrichment Activities: Power Point presentation:

Brown dwarf stars. What are they? How many exist? How big are they? How long do

they live?

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Laboratory activities and reports

Diagram/Display

Oral presentation

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online resources: Teacher webpage

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Google Earth (Sky)

Stellarium

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

Topic/Unit: Galaxies and Cosmology

Approximate # of Weeks: 2

Essential Questions:

1. What are galaxies?

2. How do galaxies differ from each other?

3. What determines the shape of a galaxy?

4. What are the basic characteristics of the Milky Way galaxy and how have they

been determined?

5. How do we know the universe is expanding?

6. How do we know that the Big bang occurred?

7. What is dark matter?

8. What is dark energy?

9. How large is the universe?

10. How will the universe end?

11. What is a Big Crunch?

12. What is an oscillating universe?

Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Compare the basic types of galaxies and how they are believed to have formed.

(Standard 5.1A)

2. Describe how galaxies attain their shapes. (Standard 5.1A)

3. Describe the basic characteristics of the Milky Way galaxy. (Standard 5.1A)

4. Identify the observational evidence for the Big bang theory. (Standard 5.1A)

5. Identify the observational evidence for the expansion of the universe. (Standard 5.1A)

6. Describe the events that occurred subsequent to the Big Bang. (Standard 5.1A)

7. Utilize Hubble’s law to calculate distances to galaxies. (Standard 5.4A)

8. Describe the different types of galaxies and the arrangement of star clusters and

galaxies in the universe. (Standard 5.1C)

9. Summarize the observational evidence for the existence of dark matter.

(Standard 5.1A)

10. Summarize the observational evidence for the existence of dark energy.

(Standard 5.1A)

Interdisciplinary Standards: Standard 8.2- Technology Education

Standard 4.3- Patterns and Algebra

Activities:

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Classify various two dimensional representations of the universe as homogeneous,

isotropic, neither, or both.

Complete group problem sets calculating the velocities of receding galaxies using their

red-shifts.

Construct a diagram that illustrates the early evolution of the universe.

Enrichment Activities: Research alternate theories on the origin of the universe.

Methods of Evaluation: Revisit essential questions

Summative assessment- Unit test

Observations of group work

Diagram/Display

Open-ended questions

Laboratory activities and reports

Essay

Texts, Resources, and/or Literature: Horizons- Exploring the Universe

Online resources: Teacher webpage

Google Earth (Sky)

Virtual Astronomy Laboratory

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