Astronomy

Auburn Riverside HS

Mr. Davis Room 703

253.804.5154 x7030

Welcome to Astronomy. During the next few months you will have the opportunity to explore the Universe around you from a different point of view - how everything works on a level that most of us take for granted. You will accomplish much this semester – experiments, projects, and a bit of homework. The goal of this class is for you to learn about Astronomy, it is much more than just the stars.

The Website

I maintain a website at the following URL:

At this site you will find edited versions of all the lecture notes I will use in class. I encourage you to print them out and bring them to class to fill in as material is presented. It is very helpful to have the edited version of notes so that you can pay more attention to the sample problems and explanations than to simply copying everything that is said in class. You will find extra practice problems that may be assigned or used as quizzes and you will find vocabulary. These vocabulary lists are required assignments to be collected at each test and there will be quizzes on the terms during the year. Please utilize the site to your benefit as you are working on this class. There are links to many other items that can be helpful to you and your success. It is an evolving site – so please bookmark it and visit it regularly.

Course Objectives

  • An understanding of Astronomy and its applications.
  • Skills in the use of scientific procedures.
  • An awareness of career opportunities in Astronomy.
  • Experiences in problem solving.
  • Knowledge of scientific processes, methodology, and fundamental principles.
  • Opportunities to integrate Astronomy with other disciplines.
  • An understanding of the nature of scientific inquiry and the ability to solve problems through scientific inquiry

Expectations

In order to be successful in this class and to ensure a safe and positive environment for ALL, you must:

  • Be present and on time to participate actively.
  • Be prepared for class with your needed materials and homework.
  • Be respectful of yourself and others.
  • Be safe in the classroom and lab.
  • Be positive in attitude, behavior, and language.
  • Bring a calculator to class.

Class Policies/Rules

  • THERE WILL BE NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES ALLOWED IN CLASS. This includes cell phones, mp3 players, iPODs, PSPs, and any other type of electronic device other than a calculator. These provide a distraction to you, me, your peers, and most importantly, to your learning. Please set yourself up for success by keeping these items put away.
  • Food and Beverages: There will be no eating in class. Pop, water, coffee, etc are ok. If bottles and garbage are found in places other than the garbage can this will change to a NO BEVERAGE policy.

Grading

Your grade will be determined from the cumulative total points available at each grading period – Progress Reports, Mid Semester, Final. The points are distributed among the following categories and carry the shown weights.

Category / Weight (%)
Exam, Quiz / 80
Current Events / 10
Daily assignment/Homework/Laboratory/Projects / 10

Grading scale:

A 93-100% B+ 88-89% C+ 78-79% D 60-69%

A- 90-92% B 83-87% C 73-77% F 0-59%

B- 80-82% C- 70-72%

Make Up Policy

All work is due on the specified date. When you are absent or other circumstances arise, the following guidelines will be followed.

Labs – Labs may not be made up during school time. You must speak with your teacher to arrange a time within two days of your absence. You have the following options:

1.Make up the lab outside of class time within 2 days of your absence and turn in completed report the following day for full credit. Lab setups for any particular lab will be available for only one week after the original lab date.

2.Use another student’s data to complete the lab write up and turn in the lab report within two days for a maximum of 80% of full credit.

3.Not make up the lab and no lab report for no credit.

Daily Assignments – There will be due dates established throughout the semester for daily work. If you are absent on a particular due date, the assignment will be due on the day you return to class. There will be frequent quizzes that may not be made up.

Exams – If you are absent for an exam, you will need to make arrangements with me to make up the exam before or after school.

Projects – You will have adequate time to complete your projects, there really is not a reason for you to not have them done.

Projects

There will be several projects assigned during the semester. These projects will involve the use of the library, the Internet, and outside research. For some projects you will be required to work in groups. Each project will be thoroughly explained later.

Cheating

Cheating Policy: Cheating is defined as any attempt to circumvent the evaluation process as outlined by Mr. Davis. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, the following categories:

Improper test-taking behavior

Looking at another student’s paper

Talking with other students

Accessing notes or other resources not approved by the instructor

Plagiarism

Using another person’s words and/or ideas without proper citation. This would include copying from professional works as well as works of other students. Unless otherwise specified the student must individually and personally generate all written assignments.

If cheating occurs the following steps will be taken:

1st offense:

no credit for the work (assignment, test, or project) with NO POSSIBILITY of makeup

communication with parents outling incident and reviewing consequences

possibility of Detention and/or FridaySchool

2nd offense:

no credit for the work

student’s semester grade is lowered ONE FULL LETTER GRADE

parent/student/teacher conference

possible detention or FridaySchool

3rd offense:

failing grade for the semester

possibility of removal from the classroom

written parent notification

Course Outline

Topic 1: Our Local Neighborhood. We will look at those things nearest to us in the Universe, our planets, the sun, and all the other objects in our solar system.

Topic 2: Gravity and light. We will explore gravity on Earth and other planets and see how it impacts us. Light is one part of the greater Electromagnetic Spectrum and we will look at the bigger picture of EMR to see how it is used in Astronomy.

Topic 3: Stars. There are many different stars in the Universe. We will look at the different types and their life cycles. Included here will be a project on constellations.

Topic 4: The greater universe and other topics not included above. Galaxies, the span of the universe, distribution of matter, and space travel might be covered.

Other topics may be added as time allows.

Office hours

I am available to assist students anytime before or after school. I am ready to answer questions, help solve problems, read rough drafts, schedule lab and test make-ups, or just help you with astronomy from 7:35 – 8:05 am and from 2:35 – 3:05 pm. Please check to be sure I am available before arranging to stay late or come early.

1