Bill Barr
Skyview High School
Room: R202
E-mail:
Phone: 498-0561 Ext 5422
Intro to Astronomy (2 Credits)
2015-2016
Course Description:
We will start with "classical" astronomy, describing the night sky and organizing what we see as was done in ancient times. We will cover the major philosophical assumptions of the Copernican principal. Starting with the Greeks and working towards Einstein special theory of relativity, the student will learn details about the heliocentric model vs the geocentric model.. We will then embark on a journey, starting with light and matter, telescopes, the Solar system, with an emphasis on planetary geology, stars, and eventually finishing with constellations. We will discuss Philosophical biases’ and assumptions scientist use to interpret the evidence of the universe as a whole.
Prerequisite: 9th grade Physical Science and 10th grade Biology.
Course: Astronomy 101
General Education Core Objectives:
Critical Thinking / The ability to think using analysis, synthesis, evaluation, problem solving, judgment, and the creative processCommunication / The ability to develop, support, and appropriately communicate ideas through speech, writing, performance, or visual media
Quantitive Reasoning / The ability to calculate, measure, analyze data
Information Literacy / The ability to locate, understand, assess, and synthesize information in a technological driven society
Personal Responsibility / The ability to understand and manage self, to function effectively in social and professional environments and to make reasoned judgments based on an understanding of diversity of the world community
Course Schedule:
We are on an A/B schedule with 90 minutes per class period. We will meet three times one week (Mon-Wed-Fri) and the following week meet two times (Tues-Thurs). This will be a repeating pattern throughout the year.
Course Focus:
Using Astronomy to learn about the scientific process and valid approaches to problem solving.
Course Objectives and Outcomes:
1. Provide students with the tools and practice necessary to apply critical thinking, problem solving and enhance Quantitive reasoning skills; to become familiar with the scientific method.
2. Provide students with an introduction “to the study of Astronomy and its philosophical assumptions.” A variety of topics will be covered. (see Course Schedule)
3. Provide students an introduction to working with Astronomy tools. Get a hands-on feel for how scientists make discoveries.
4. Learn how to do labs safely as well as how to perform and record experiments.
Outcomes Assessment:
1. Students will demonstrate their problem solving and Quantitive reasoning on written examinations, Notebook assignments, Journals, quizzes, as well as exit tickets.
2. Laboratory skills will be assessed by completion of laboratory activities, written lab reports or research papers as well as the instructor’s evaluation in the laboratory.
Grading Policy:
ü Each test is worth 100 points. This represents 70% of your grade
ü All lab reports, Notebooks and journals will be graded and are worth up to 5 points per assignment. This represents 30% of your grade
ü Grading of late assignments, as well as making up tests, is explained in other parts of this syllabus.
v A = 90%+; B = 80 to 89%; C = 70 to 79%; D = 60 to 69%;, F = <60%
Homework:
Doing homework conscientiously is essential for success in this class.
Journals and Notebook Assignments cover the material that is on the exam. All assignments not finished in class are considered home work. Some of you may need to spend more time for review than others.
In most cases you are given 1 week after the material is finished in class to complete the assignment.
Tests:
Material on the tests is based on the material covered in the Notebook Assignments, Journals, and labs done in class. Cramming for tests is not recommended. It is generally possible to do well on one test if you cram. However, if you don’t learn the material in the beginning, you will have an increasingly difficult time as the course progresses.
Final Exam:
The final exam will be a summative final of all the information covered for the semester. Test corrections will not be allowed on all summative exams.
Textbooks and Required Materials:
v Notebooks assignments, quizzes and labs - Test material will be taken from all notebook assignments covered in class. (The Text book is a supplementary resource for you.)
v Journals will be posted on Blackboard. Test material will include journals covered in class.
Instructor Availability:
I am available before and after school every day except Thursdays mornings. Every Wednesday is after school help lab for those who need extra help along with any student who needs to make up an exam. My email address is bbarr@nsd131 and my school phone numbers is 498-0561 Ex 5422
Tentative Course Schedule
Weeks of / Chapter / LaboratoryAugust 18-31
September 1-4 / Chapter 0: Intro
P Point: Delusion of materialism
What is Astronomy?
Azimuth & Altitude
Astrolabe
Latitude & Longitude
International ‘Date’ Line
Measuring Distance
Measuring Velocity / Astrolabe Lab
Parallax Lab
Density Lab
September 7-30 / Chapter 1: History of Astronomy
Heliocentrism
Copernican Principle
Geocentrism / Celestial Sphere
Planetary Motion
October 1-16 / Chapter 2: Light & Matter
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Waves
Electron Configuration
Spectroscopy / Spectroscopy Lab
Flame Lab
October 19-30 / Chapter 3: Telescope
Sources of Light
Reflecting Telescopes
Radio Telescopes
Earth’s Atmosphere
November 2-20 / Chapter 4: Solar System
Solar System
Asteroids
Comets
Meteoroids, Meteors, Meteorites
Junk in orbit / Dr. John Hartnet-DVD
December 17-18
November 23-27
December 1-4 / Chapters 0-6: Semester Final
Chapter 5: Terrestrial
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Asteroid Belt / No Labs
December 7-16 / Chapter 6: Jovian
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Planet X
January 5-29 / Chapter 7: Stars
Intro to Stars
Magnitude
Hertsprung-Russell
Features of the sun
Galaxies
Milky Way Galaxy / Hertsprung-Russell
February 1-19 / Chapter 8: Constellations
Circumpolar Constellations
1. Ursa Major
2. Ursa Minor
3. Draco
4. Cepheus
5. Cassiopeia / Intro to night time sky
May 11-13 / Finals Week / No Labs
Course Expectations:
Ø Grades will be based on Notebook Assignments, Journals and Unit Exams.
Ø Tests will be gives when we have sufficiently covered all relevant material. All efforts will be made to return them at the end of the following class. There may be times that a test will be given on Monday. In that case, tests will be returned the following Monday.
Ø Participation in the class i.e. asking questions for clarification, etc. is encouraged. In general, I will ask for questions after covering specific points. If you have a question, it is probable that someone else has the same question. If I put you off for a couple minutes, and still have not answered your question, please re-ask it. That being said, background chatter is disruptive, and distracts both me and other students in the class. Only one person can talk at a time, so if you have a question, please raise your hand and I will call on you at the earliest possible time.
Ø If you must miss a class, please contact me by e-mail ASAP so that I can tell you what was covered in the class.
Ø If you must miss a test or lab, you must contact me ASAP. Make-up tests will be allowed if the reason can be substantiated with a doctor’s note, etc. and the test or lab has NOT been returned to the class. Special instances will be resolved on a case-by-case basis. Communication is paramount, let me know about your situation; effort will be made to make all reasonable accommodations.
Ø Most Students can expect to spend about one hour per day (8 per week) on the class. This will, of course be affected by the student’s background, talent and diligence. Time alone is not a major factor when predicting success.
Ø Food may also be consumed if it does not distract other students. (i.e. no crunchy apples, nothing with strong odor) However, the classroom is not a restaurant; please use common sense so that the lecture is the focus, not your food consumption.
Ø Work to be handed in is due at the start of class. If it is not finished, please come anyways; not doing so will just result in frustration and getting further behind. If you need an extension, ask; in advance if possible. Without valid reason (illness, car accident on the way in, death in the family) late work will be penalized 50%. (If you just forgot it at home, let me know!) Once assignments pass the L.A.D. (Last acceptable day) they will not be graded.
Ø Taking phone calls or texting during class in not acceptable. If it is urgent, please take it out of class. Regular texting will result in the student being asking to leave and sign a contract on proper behavior.
If you are late: sign the late to class form-then take a seat this will result in minimal disruption to others. If chronic tardiness becomes a problem, the instructor reserves the right to lock tardy students out of class (for that day only).
If you must miss a class, or know you will miss a class, let me know. I will help you get caught up or keep from falling behind.
Other resources:
1) Each other. I encourage you to study together. However, if something is to be handed in, DO YOUR OWN WORK! Plagiarizing will not be tolerated and school handbook guidelines for these issues will be followed.
2) AFTER SCHOOL HELP LAB. There is a tutoring service at skyview that is free of charge. Most subjects are tutored.
3) Me. During office hours and during the laboratory. Also, questions can be often answered via e-mail, or a phone session can be set up.
Behavioral Expectations:
Every student has the right to a respectful learning environment. In order to provide this right to all students, students must take individual responsibility to conduct themselves in a mature and appropriate manner and will be held accountable for their behavior. Students who disrupt the class or behave inappropriately or disrespectfully, as determined by the instructor, may be asked to leave the classroom. Instructors and Student Services have the right to create a written behavioral contract with students; if a student violates a behavioral contract, they may be released from the course.
Academic Dishonesty:
According Nampa District Handbook: ‘All work submitted by a student must represent his/her own ideas, concepts and current understanding. All material found during research must be correctly documented to avoid plagiarism. Cheating of plagiarism in any form is unacceptable and violations may result in disciplinary action ranging from failure of the assignment to failure of the course. Cheating on an exam will result in a zero on the exam and an F in the grade book.
Emergency Procedures:
There is a pamphlet posted in the classroom. Instructions listed there will be followed for all lock down procedures and fire drills.