Come explore space science with video instruction, Nearpod interactive slides, and hands-on labs and activities! This course will cover many topics which are aligned with NGSS (science standards) for middle school: the sun, our solar system, stars, star constellations, meteors, comets, galaxies and the universe. 

Lessons are flex (pre-recorded) and will be watched while interacting in Nearpod on your own schedule. In the video I will walk learners through the Nearpod activity-slides, which include teaching slides alternating with: collaboration boards, matching challenges, virtual field trips, Time to Climb game/contest, video clips, drag-and-drop activities, drawing slides, and fill-in-the-blank mini-quizzes. In addition to the virtual activities, each week includes a hands-on activity (including an Edible Solar System!) - see syllabus below for specifics. 

I have a down-to-earth teaching style and I like to spark excitement about topics by tying the lesson to learners' lives or adding interesting facts and real-life scenarios. I truly do love science and learners pick up on my enthusiasm! I encourage learners to share anything they would like to in the classroom that is related to the lesson: a picture of a recent planetarium visit, a picture of a real-life star constellation (if they can capture it!), moon rocks, or anything else they can get their hands on! I once had a learner bring real-life, very large, DINOSAUR FOSSILS to class that her dad collects in an auction! Woah! You just never know what will show up at science show-and-tell :)

COURSE STRUCTURE:

1. 1 pre-recorded video lesson each week. Lessons, links, and assignments will be uploaded to the classroom each Monday morning by 9am (eastern time).
2. Optional projects will be assigned each week in the Outschool Classroom and can be turned in within the classroom, or be sent to me in a private message. The following Sunday of each week is the due date for projects and assignments, but with this being a flex class there is some flexibility with due dates!
3. Most assignments consist of foldables, labs, educational tech-games, or other fun activities!
4. I will grade or give feedback for any projects turned in and activity slides. 
5. There will be opportunities for learner interaction in the classroom and in Nearpod (collaboration board and Time to Climb contest). For example, in Solar System Pictionary, learners should upload their own assigned planet picture to the classroom and guess all other learners' planets! If you can't figure out a picture, ask the other learner some questions about their planet (Is it cold? Is it made of gas? How far from the sun is it?). In the Marshmallow Constellation Lab, learners should upload a picture of their own assigned constellation, then guess all other learners' constellations. If you can't figure out the name of the constellation, ask the learner questions about the constellation (Which animal does it represent? Is there mythology attached to the constellation?). 

SYLLABUS: 

Week 1:
*Topics - Sun and Solar System (overview)
*Activities - Video lesson and Nearpod interactive slides
*Project - Sunspot & Solar Eclipse Viewer

Week 2: 
*Topics - Inner Planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth (Moon), Mars
*Activities - Video lesson and Nearpod interactive slides
*Project - Rocket Ship Foldable (about your favorite planet)

Week 3:
*Topics - Outer Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
*Activities - Video lesson and Nearpod interactive slides
*Project - Edible Solar System; Solar System Pictionary

Week 4:
*Topics - Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, Stars, Black Holes, and Worm Holes
*Activities - Video lesson and Nearpod interactive slides
*Projects - Marshmallow Constellation Lab; Constellation Station Digital Activity

Week 5:
*Topics - Star Systems, Star Clusters, Galaxies, and The Universe, The Big Bang Theory
*Activities - Video lesson and Nearpod interactive slides
*Project: Sidewalk Chalk Drawings 

Other middle school classes I have available: Semester 1 and 2 ongoing, live middle school science, nutrition, and pre-chemistry.