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Space Science: Life, the Universe, and Everything

This eight-week class allows students to explore fascinating theories, new discoveries, and future space research programs. #academic

Thomas Jones

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(1,194)

What's included

8 live meetings

8 in-class hours

Assessment

I offer informal assessments of student participation in this class.

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

Beginner Level

Space Science 3 includes a combination of lecture, images (from the Hubble and other telescopes), and discussion.  The pacing of the class will be determined by student interest and interaction.  As with Space Science 1 and 2, each group may take different amounts of time on each topic in order to cater to students' interests.  The specific content for each topic will continue to evolve as new discoveries are made and images become available.
The topics covered will include:
1.  The Multiverse: hypotheses and less developed ideas about multiple universes, cyclical universe formation, and dimensions.  
2.  Recent discoveries and research on life elsewhere, as well as ideas about life originating somewhere other than earth.  
3.  Mapping of the Milky Way and the local "neighborhood" around our galaxy, including changing ideas about the structure of our galaxy, the recently discovered halo of stars around the Milky Way, and the expansive gas envelope that extends well beyond our visible galactic borders.
4.  Return to the Moon:  As humans are gearing up for a return to the moon, we will return our discussion to the moon and look at recent discoveries, future robotic missions, and plans for a human mission and establishment of a base.
5.  Galactic caution tape:  We will examine the dangers in space.  This will include the risks to space travelers and the sweeping dangers from massive radiation sources, such as a potential supernova.  Betelgeuse will be used as a particularly relevant case study, considering its location and advanced stellar "age."
6.  Weird, wild, esoteric, and complex theories:  We will look at String Theory, the Ekpyrotic Scenario, the idea that time is slowing down, and the idea that our universe exists inside a black hole in another universe.

The goal of my space science classes is always to encourage discussion, and the topics chosen for Space Science 3 have been selected with their potential to initiate exchange of ideas in mind.

Learning Goals

Students will expand their understanding of a variety of interesting and complex astronomical and astrophysical concepts.
Students will become more comfortable sharing ideas and engaging in discussions about scientific topics.

Other Details

Parental Guidance

There is no scary content in this class.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Thomas Jones

Joined January, 2017

4.9

1194reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

I have been teaching for nearly 20 years, and focusing on forensic science classes and programs for kids since 2005.  For the past five 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.  I currently teach forensic science and unsolved crimes at SUNY Empire State College.  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.