Warwick School District

Curriculum❯Honors Astronomy - STEELS

Honors Astronomy - STEELS

Grade Levels: 10 | 11 | 12 |

Course Description

Astronomy is the study of the universe beyond the planet Earth. It is a one-semester course. Topics of study will include the sun and the solar system, the stars, galaxies, and the earth-moon system. Students taking this course must do evening observations.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Honors Biology (0221) or a B or higher in CP Biology (0222) and at least a B- or higher in Algebra I (0813, middle school) or B- or higher in CP Algebra 1B (0312) or be currently enrolled in Honors Algebra II (0316)

Core Curriculum Content Standards

PA Common Core: Science and Technical Subjects (2012)

  • Reading Informational Text: Students read, understand, and respond to informational text – with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.

    • GRADES 9-10

      • By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend science/technical texts in the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently.(3.5.9-10.J)

Sci & Tech - Earth and Space Sciences (2009-2012)

  • Earth Structure, Processes and Cycles

    • GRADE 8

      • -Compare and contrast scientific theories. -Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe. -Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. -Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence. -Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. -Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements.(3.3.8.A7)

    • GRADE 10

      • Relate plate tectonics to both slow and rapid changes in the earth’s surface. Describe the rock cycle and the processes that are responsible for the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Relate geochemical cycles to the conservation of matter. Explain how the Earth is composed of a number of dynamic, interacting systems exchanging energy or matter.(3.3.10.A1)
      • Explain how the evolution of Earth has been driven by interactions between the lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere.(3.3.10.A3)
      • Relate geochemical cycles to conservation of matter. Explain how the Earth’s systems and its various cycles are driven by energy.(3.3.10.A4)
      • SCALE/MODELS Interpret and create models of the Earth’s physical features in various mapping representations. CONSTANCY AND CHANGE Relate constancy and change to the hydrologic and geochemical cycles. SCALE Apply an appropriate scale to illustrate major events throughout geologic time. CONSTANCY/CHANGE Describe factors that contribute to global climate change.(3.3.10.A7)
      • -Compare and contrast scientific theories. -Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe. -Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. -Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence. -Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. -Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements.(3.3.10.A8)

  • Origin and Evolution of the Universe

    • GRADE 8

      • Explain how light, measured remotely, can be used to classify objects in the universe.(3.3.8.B1)
      • SCALE AND MEASUREMENT Explain measurements and evidence indicating the age of the universe.(3.3.8.B2)
      • -Compare and contrast scientific theories. -Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe. -Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. -Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence. -Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. -Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements.(3.3.8.B3)

    • GRADE 10

      • Explain how gravity is responsible for planetary orbits. Explain what caused the sun, Earth, and most of the other planets to form between 4 and 5 billion years ago. Provide evidence to suggest the Big Bang Theory. Describe the basic nuclear processes involved in energy production in a star.(3.3.10.B1)
      • SCALE AND MEASUREMENT Explain how scientists obtain information about the universe by using technology to detect electromagnetic radiation that is emitted, reflected, or absorbed by stars and other objects. CONSTANCY AND CHANGE Describe changes in the universe over billions of years. SCALE AND MEASUREMENT Explain the scale used to measure the sizes of stars and galaxies and the distances between them(3.3.10.B2)
      • -Compare and contrast scientific theories. -Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe. -Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. -Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence. -Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. -Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements.(3.3.10.B3)

Science, Technology & Engineering, and Environmental Literacy & Sustainability (2023)

  • Earth and Space Science

    • Grades 9-12

      • Develop a model based on evidence to illustrate the life span of the sun and the role of nuclear fusion in the sun’s core to release energy in the form of radiation.(3.3.9-12.A)
      • Construct an explanation of the Big Bang theory based on astronomical evidence of light spectra, the motion of distant galaxies, and the composition of matter in the universe.(3.3.9-12.B)
      • Communicate scientific ideas about the way stars, over their life cycle, produce elements.(3.3.9-12.C)
      • Use mathematical or computational representations to predict the motion of orbiting objects in the solar system.(3.3.9-12.D)
      • Use a model to describe how variations in the flow of energy into and out of Earth’s systems result in changes in climate.(3.3.9-12.E)
      • Apply scientific reasoning and evidence from ancient Earth materials, meteorites, and other planetary surfaces to construct an account of Earth’s formation and early history.(3.3.9-12.G)
      • Analyze geoscience data to make the claim that one change to Earth's surface can create feedback that causes changes to other Earth systems.(3.3.9-12.H)

  • Technology & Engineering

    • Grades 9-12

      • Critique whether existing or proposed technologies use resources sustainably.(3.5.9-12.D)
      • Evaluate how technology and engineering advancements alter human health and capabilities.(3.5.9-12.E)
      • Evaluate a technological innovation that arose from a specific society’s unique need or want.(3.5.9-12.F)
      • Evaluate a technological innovation that was met with societal resistance impacting its development.(3.5.9-12.G)

Next Generation Science Standards (2014)

  • Grades 9-12

    • Earth and Space Sciences(HS.ES)
      • Earth Systems(HS.ES.S2)

Science

  • Grade 8

    • Earth and Space Sciences

      • Composition and Structure of the Universe

        • Explain the relationships between and among the objects of our solar system.(S8.D.3.1)

  • Grade 11

    • Earth and Space Sciences

      • Composition and Structure of the Universe

        • Explain the composition, structure, and origin of the universe.(S11.D.3.1)

Units

Unit #1 - The Earth in Space

Unit #2 - The Moon

Unit #3 - The Sun

Unit #4 - The Solar System

Unit #5 - Stars

Unit #6 - The Universe

Unit #7 - Astrobiology

Course Resources

https://www.nasa.gov/
Science News: Magazine of the Society for Science.
Vocabulary tools like Quizlet
Review game platforms such as Blooket, Kahoot, Gimkit, Quizizz, Quizlet Live
Layered Earth: Starry Night
https://scratch.mit.edu/
https://www.vernier.com/
https://www.suncalc.org/#/40.1578,-76.3073,14/2020.10.01/08:06/0.038/3