The Astronomy Lab: Measurement and Modeling in Astronomy (Ages 9-12)
Astronomical Measurement and Modeling gets learners outside observing constellations and measuring positions of celestial objects. This hands-on course for ages 9-12 sets the foundation for beginners learning observational astronomy.
Amy Jackson, M.S.T. Earth and Space Science
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(2)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 hrs 40 mins in-class hoursClass Experience
*SPECIFIC MATERIALS REQUIRED FOR THIS CLASS* **NOTE: Please, Read My Class Policy (under the Parental Guidance Section) Before Enrolling ** Beginning Astronomical Measurement and Modeling gets learners outside observing and measuring. This hands-on, 4 week course for ages 9-12 sets the foundation for beginners learning observational astronomy. This course focuses on experiential lessons and hands-on activities mixed in with demonstration and discussion. You can take this class at the same time as the Telescopes for Beginners class. After taking this course, you will be able to: Know how to prepare for an observing session Know how to use a star finder to recognize seasonal constellations in the night sky Experience seasonal night sky tours and hear star stories Chart the moon phases using an astrolabe Understand where we are in our solar system Understand how moon phases and eclipses work Understand why the north star changes Understand the reason for the seasons Participate in Citizen Science and the importance of keeping our night skies dark Week 1: In this first class, you will learn how to use a star wheel and compass to find constellations. You'll learn how to prepare for an outdoor observing session. I'll give you a night sky tour of seasonal constellations with planetarium software and tell a constellation story. Your homework this week will be to practice finding the constellations we discussed this week. Concepts and Vocabulary: Circumpolar Constellation Horizon Cardinal directions Why the planets are not on star wheels or constellation charts Week 2: This week we will learn how to use an astrolabe provided in your kit to measure the position of the moon in the sky. You will learn how to chart the moon to make a moon calendar we will all share with one another in our last class. We will do an activity together to get a feel for the sizes and distances between the planets in our solar system. I'll give you a night sky tour of seasonal constellations with planetarium software and tell a constellation story. Your homework this week is to keep practicing finding new constellations with your starwheel and begin charting the moon. Concepts and Vocabulary: Altitude Azimuth Degrees Week 3: This week we do an activity together to help us understand the reason for the seasons with materials from your kit. I'll tell a star story and give you a night sky tour of even more seasonal constellations (there are so many out there!) with planetarium software. You will learn about why we need to keep our night skies dark and how you can use your new constellation finding skills to become a citizen scientist. Your homework this week is to keep practicing finding new constellations with your star wheel and to keep charting the moon till the last class. Concepts and Vocabulary: Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere Equator Light Pollution Color Temperature Precession Rotation Revolution Week 4: This last week we will do an activity together to help us understand how moon phases and eclipses work and share our moon calendars with one another. I'll give you a night sky tour of even more seasonal constellations (there are just so many out there!) with planetarium software and tell a story. You will learn more about keeping our night sky dark and how you can earn patches for learning about light pollution. If you are ready to learn how to use a telescope for observing, check out The Astronomy Lab's Telescopes for Beginners class. Concepts and Vocabulary: Moon phase vocabulary Annular vs. Total Eclipse Date of next eclipse Eclipse viewing safety
Other Details
Parental Guidance
**There are specific materials needed for this class. You can find links for where to purchase a kit below under Learner Supply List.
Supply List
The required kit can be ordered here: Please go to https://www.theastronomylab/kit to purchase your kit. The kit is needed for all the activities we will do in the class. If you wish to not order a kit please email me for a list of materials needed. Purchase of the Stellarium Mobile Plus App is not required but listed in the External Resources section above for your information and for continued learning and practice.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined April, 2021
5.0
2reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Amy is the founder and director of Starry Sky Austin and The Astronomy Lab. Since 2009, she has been spreading her lifelong love of the stars and space to her local community through hands-on astronomy education. She hopes to inspire others to connect with the cosmos and love space as much as she does!
Amy is curious about her natural world, how it works and how we come to understand our place in it. She constantly looks for ways to communicate science in a creative and personal way. While studying physics at the University of Houston, she learned astronomy and helped to re-open the University of Houston’s rooftop observatory to the public. During Rice University’s Master of Science Teaching program, she learned that most people do not truly understand basic astronomical concepts such as the reason for the seasons and moon phases. In order to change that, she created Starry Sky Austin and The Astronomy Lab. Amy is a certified science teacher and has taught science and math formally in both private and public schools and informally at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, for UT Informal Classes, the Austin Nature and Science Center, public and private programs and at Reimers Observatory and private star parties. She has facilitated planetarium programs for Austin ISD and works to incorporate astronomy education into the learning community in Austin.
Being mixed race Guatemalan and White, Amy has a passion for speaking Spanish and connecting with her roots. In 2016, Amy traveled to Guatemala to teach astronomy and how to use telescopes to the children living at Finca La Merced in Jilotepeque, Guatemala. She became an ACEAP Ambassador in 2017 and visited the world’s largest telescopes through NRAO’s and NOAO’s Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program. As an ACEAP Ambassador, she is working on s special project to bring telescopes to underserved populations in Chile.
A mother of 3, she has been spreading her love of the night sky through her published children’s book “Cassandra and the Night Sky“, a new star story she wrote and her mother illustrated to inspire children to look up at the stars and be inspired to learn astronomy. Her second book is coming soon!
She is the Central Texas Regional Manager of the Texas Chapter of the International Dark Sky Association and has participated as a member of the IDA sponsored Texas Night Sky Festival organizational team. Amy contracts with the Hill Country Alliance Night Skies team to support dark sky conservation in the Central Texas region. She has a certificate in Geographic Information Systems and is interested in what GIS has to offer for understanding the impacts of light pollution.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$80
for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
55 min
Completed by 5 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-12
3-10 learners per class
