✨Teacher Note: To better serve and teach Outschool families, I have decided to turn "Hands on Astronomy" into an ongoing class. It's the same great class, with the same interactive material. You can find the listing here: https://outschool.com/classes/hands-on-astronomy-kgq4i3SU?sectionUid=14801b7f-d40e-4de5-8afe-c66288761c14

The Universe is incredibly fascinating and enormously vast. The celestial bodies (like planets, comets, and galaxies) that make it up are very intriguing and its size can be mind-boggling.

In this class, students will learn about some of the objects that can be found in our Universe. This will be done through two meetings each week (10 classes total). The first meeting will be a guided and interactive lesson, where the students will gain a deeper appreciation for the Cosmos. At the end of the class, the students will be given a fun hands-on activity to complete for the second meeting.

**The projects use simple supplies that can typically be found around the house such as paper, cardboard, and paperclips. If the learner doesn't have the supplies, they are encouraged to use other items that are available to them.**

During our second meeting, we will briefly review the topic and discuss what the students learned through their project. The students will then get to individually share their project with the class and interact with the other learners.

Week 1: The Stars and Our Night Sky
We will investigate the night sky and discuss stars, constellations, and other objects that are visible right in your own backyard.

Week 2: Earth’s Moon
Earth’s moon is more than just a beautiful object to see! We will discuss the Moon’s importance and discover what causes its phases.

Week 3: Mars
Mars is the most studied planet beyond Earth. With its red surface, rugged terrain, and global dust storms, Mars is a fascinating world!

Week 4: Pluto, Asteroids, and Comets
If Pluto isn’t a planet, what is it? Are there differences between asteroids and comets? In this lesson, we will talk about these rocky bodies.

Week 5: Exoplanets, Galaxies and Black Holes
Look out! It's a black hole! Should we be concerned that a black hole will swallow the Earth? Are there really billions more galaxies beyond our own Milky Way? What about planets outside of our Solar System? These are questions that any space enthusiast has asked. In this concluding lesson, we’ll study some of the Universe's most fascinating objects: exoplanets, galaxies and black holes.

Reasons why astronomy education is important:
1) It’s a lifelong tool that children will use. Having an understanding of the heavens will be something they appreciate throughout their lives.

2) Astronomy encourages kids to get outside. Having an understanding of the stars will encourage kids to get outdoors and look up as they gain confidence in their knowledge of the motions and placement of celestial bodies.

3)It is a hobby that the entire family can do and enjoy together. Classical astronomy doesn’t require specialized tools or instruments. Families can simply enjoy time together, gazing at the stars.

4) It is cross-curricular. There are innumerable references to astronomy in literature, history, and the Bible, to name a few. Having an understanding of the heavens will help to deepen an appreciation in these other areas, too.

5) Astronomy is fun and a great way to get kids excited about science! Kids can hardly get enough of hearing about black holes, exoplanets, stars, and the Solar System. Astronomy is a great “springboard” for them to delve deeper into more science and math concepts.