55600 Astronomy and Meteorology
Course Name: Astronomy and Meteorology
Course Number: 55600
Open to: Grade 11-12
Length: 1 Semester
Credits: 1/2 Credit
Prerequisite: None
Course Content: This course is designed for students who are interested in both astronomy and meteorology and will address the following course objectives. Successful students will demonstrate the ability to:
Contrast the scientific method with pseudoscience and non-scientific approaches to understanding phenomena.
Describe the cycles of nature used in astronomy and their historical background to explain the behavior of celestial objects in the sky.
Use the Earth’s characteristics as a model planet to compare and identify distinguishing features about other members of the solar system.
Explain solar activity based on the physical characteristics of the sun as a model star.
Summarize the attributes of a great variety of stars and determine their positions on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram.
Identify the features of the Milky Way Galaxy and compare them to features of the other types of galaxies in the Universe.
Contrast models and determine the best explanations of cosmology using current scientific evidence.
Identify the challenges associated with colonizing another celestial body.
Differentiate the different layers of the atmosphere and the energy transfer that occurs between those levels.
Investigate the relationship between atmospheric moisture and weather conditions.
Analyze the characteristics of air masses and fronts and be able to predict possible locations of severe weather.
Differentiate between different severe weather conditions and where they occur.
Interpret weather maps and predict future weather conditions.
Understand how global weather patterns affect our local weather.
Course Activities: The course activities will include group and individual instruction, student-selected projects, laboratory activities, and investigations.
Student Cost: None