Space Science: Astrophysics to Exobiology
This class explores the major concepts in astrophysics, astronomy, exobiology, and extraterrestrial geology. #academic
Thomas Jones
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,210)
What's included
9 live meetings
9 in-class hoursClass Experience
US Grade 6 - 9
We will begin with the Big Bang and learn about the universe's earliest stars, which burned bright and died young (relatively). Then, we'll move into the Interstellar Medium, where matter is many times thinner than on the top of Mt. Everest and discuss how this ultra-thin veil of gas and dust can give way to massive stars with thermonuclear reactions powering their cores. Life on the Main Sequence is long, but gives way to a retirement of expansion into the giant (or supergiant) phase and then what? A white dwarf, neutron star, supernova? Most stars have planetary systems, and we'll talk about how those form and about the boundaries of a star's system. Where are we in the Milky Way? We'll talk about local clouds (and the Local Fluff, yes you read that right), the bow shock that results from our moving system coming in contact with "what lies beyond," galaxies, supermassive black holes, expansion of the universe, the Great Attractor, and more. Then, we'll shift to a planetary (or lunar) scale and examine the features of bodies in our own solar system, including Mons Olympus, a volcano on Mars that's three times the height of Mt. Everest, the Eye of Tethys, the underground oceans of Saturn's moons, and signs of water or atmospheres seen in erosion in many locations. The growing number of locations with liquid or solid water, along with the abundance of compounds that form organic molecules, suggest that life might be just around the astronomical corner. But, what is needed for life? What might that life look like? How would we find life elsewhere? Exobiology is the one truly speculative science, and we'll talk about the development of this field, as we talk about life in the universe.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined January, 2017
4.9
1210reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
I have been teaching for over 25 years, and focusing on forensic science classes and programs for middle school through college-age students since 2005. For the past ten years, I have also been teaching a variety of online courses, including space science, climate change, writing, introduction to law, constitutional law, history, unsolved crimes, U.S. elections, U.S. government, and geography. I have a J.D. (Law) from the University of Michigan, as well as B.A. and M.A. degrees in history, and extensive graduate education in geography and forensic science. I spent 11 years as an attorney focusing on evidence, immigration for world leaders in medicine and science, and asylum for refugees. I have also taught at the college level since 2000, in subjects including atmospheric science, physical geography, human geography, U.S. history, Humanities, criminal justice, forensic science, law and ideology, and unsolved crimes. My most recent college teaching was at SUNY Empire State College (now University) in a variety of forensic science courses and Unsolved Crimes. I have written a course manual for forensic science which is used by high school and college students, and has been picked up by a college in Europe.
My teaching style can best be described as a Socratic quest for thought. By this, I mean that the most important thing to me is to get my students thinking. It is much more important for a student to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills than to recite a list of facts. The greatest comment I ever got on a student evaluation was a college student who wrote that I was the first teacher who really wanted him to think. I recognize the differences in abilities, interests, and backgrounds in my students, and tailor my questions and challenges to maximize each student's experience.
I'd like to share a few more details about me to explain more of who I am. I am a writer, and I have 7 volumes of a kids' fantasy series called the Guardians of Elestra. Homeschooled kids who are interested get the first two chapters of a new book before it is published to give me feedback, and they learn about the revising and editing processes. I'm also a homeschooling parent (since 2002) and I lead groups focused on homeschooling with chronic illness. Our family has had to deal with long-term health issues, and I want to help others who are just getting their feet wet in this area as well. Finally, I have training in voice acting, which is another area of teaching in which my course offerings are expanding.Reviews
Live Group Class
$125
for 9 classes1x per week, 9 weeks
60 min
Completed by 330 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
3-16 learners per class
