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HS, Astronomy Std 1: Understand fundamental assumptions about the universe upon which the scientific enterprise is based.

Lesson Plans: Demonstrating the Distances of Stars: Students will: 1.study how stars may appear to be equidistant from the Earth but are in actuality not, 2.use a model to demonstrate the arrangement of stars, 3.study the importance of the parallax effect in determining distance. Entropy Demo: This is an attention-grabbing introduction to cell energetics. Students participate in building and knocking down a tower of paper cups which represents an organized living system. Animating Motion Students will apply their knowledge of object motion by animating sequences of pictures that model a set of physical conditions, such as the orbital motion of planets and satellites, the effects of gravity on a falling body, and motions of objects in inertial (moving) frames of reference. Astronomical Scales Students understand how scaling factors can be used to make representations of astronomical distances. Earth and Beyond Students will investigate one or more of the following topics and develop a plan for the future regarding it: global warming, lunar exploration, space travel, Mars exploration, or terraforming. Exploration of Mars For exploration of celestial bodies, NASA has developed a three-phase strategy: reconnaissance, surveillance, and in-depth study. The Future of the Milky Way Students will speculate about the changes that are taking place in our galaxy; research the latest ideas on the future of the Milky Way; and discuss the consequences of events that may happen in the future. Galileo's Dialogue Students will understand Galileo’s conclusions about the position of Earth in the solar system raised objections from the Church. Savage Sun Students research the sun to find out how it produces solar energy. They also research how nuclear energy is produced in nuclear power plants. A Star Is Born Students use their knowledge of a star’s behavior at various stages of its life to piece together a picture of the star’s entire life. Understanding Space Travel Students design a city (on another planet) and will have to work within the parameters of the unique conditions of the base environment. Stargazers Students will understand the concept of redshift. Eyes in the Sky Students will understand the purpose of satellites. Understanding the Universe Students will understand the stages of evolution a star. THE BEGINNING OF THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION Ptolemy, Copernicus, & the Church Radioactive Decay: A Sweet Simulation of a Half-life To demonstrate that the rates of decay of unstable nuclei can be measured, that the exact time that a certain nucleus will decay cannot be predicted, and that it takes a very large number of nuclei to find the rate of decay.

Resources: Mysteries of Deep Space: An interactive timeline of time after the Big Bang Hands-On Universe Hands-On Universe™ (HOU) is an educational program that enables students to investigate the Universe while applying tools and concepts from science, math, and technology. How Old Are Stars This is a complete lesson on the age of stars using the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. The lesson provides student and teacher sheets, worksheets, and assessment tools. The Big Bang Theory There are two activities at this site: the Big Bang Theory-- the origin of the universe and the Expanding Universe. In the Big Bang Theory, the students will be able to: 1. Explain how the Big Bang Theory can be used to explain the origin of the universe. 2. Demonstrate, using graphical analysis, how different masses react to the same force. 3. Describe the patterns observed when the force is applied. 4. Identify what material types could represent bodies of the universe. 5. Equate material colors or the visible spectrum as it relates to the elements found in celestial bodies. Interactive Activities The labs The Physics Classroom Aeronautics Related Activities, Experiments, and Lesson Plans
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How Old Are Stars This is a complete lesson on the age of stars using the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. The lesson provides student and teacher sheets, worksheets, and assessment tools.

How Old Are Stars
This is a complete lesson on the age of stars using the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram. The lesson provides student and teacher sheets, worksheets, and assessment tools.