Astronomy follows chemistry because this unit presents the story of the periodic table! Two important goals from the unit are exploring the origin of the elements of the periodic table and understanding how our observations of the sky allow us to figure out how planets, stars and even the whole universe work.
The study of astronomy starts in the daytime! We explore the most important object in the sky - the Sun and its apparent motion. The story of a star is a competition between the force of gravity and electrical interactions (pressure). We introduce absorption spectra and review the particle theory of matter to model how stars work and how they manufacture new elements as they evolve over their lifetimes. Mathematical work is important in this unit: we use scientific notation, ratios, conversions, and speed calculations to help us understand the universe. The math is always highly structured and scaffolded to encourage sense-making. Our observations expand outward as we study galactic motion and the evolution of the universe. Finally, we are looking for other worlds like our own - with life!
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Slides containing instructions, images and videos for each lesson. The file is large and only runs properly in PowerPoint, so this is a pdf version.Â
Should people travel to Mars?
Exploring the movement of the sun across the sky. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
A2: Explaining the polar diagram view.
B4: Simulation of sun position in sky. First set of observations.
B5: Simulation of sun position in sky. Second set of observations.
B1: Observation Video
B4: Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
B5: Observation Video
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
A year of sunrises
Using evidence from light to determine the elements in the Sun. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
A3: Viewing a light bulb through a holographic diffraction grating
A3: Changing the voltage and temperature of the bulb.Â
B2: Looking at the colours of light coming from hot gasesÂ
Exploring what is happening inside the Sun. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
A2: A simulation of gas particles with an increasing temperature.
A9: A simulation of gas particles showing a sudden decrease in temperature.
Can humans make fusion work here on Earth?
The story of the ITER reactor
Explore the size of things in our solar system using ratios and scientific notation. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
How to write numbers in scientific notation.
Compare some numbers and learn why scientific notation is so handy!
Explore the stellar life cycle using a resource from the Perimeter Institute. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
What can we infer from these images that are years apart?
White Dwarf Star
The colour of light from distant galaxies is shifting. What does this mean? Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
B: Overlapping past and present pictures of the universe to reveal expanding pattern.
C1: Observations for the Elastic and Washer model of the universe.
When a planet around another start passes in front of it, the light from the star changes! Explore how in this lesson. Activity sheets and PowerPoint are here.
B2-5: Observe and predict light curves from planets of different size.
C3: Predict the light curves for planets moving at different speeds.