Come explore space science with lecture/discussion, 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. 

Nearpod includes 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, every other 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 :)

*This exact class is also available in a 5-week flex/pre-recorded option.

COURSE STRUCTURE:

1. Lessons, links, and assignments will be uploaded to the classroom each Monday morning by 9am (eastern time).
2. Optional projects will be assigned every other 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. 
3. Most assignments consist of foldables, labs, educational tech-games, or other fun activities!
4. I will grade or give feedback for projects turned in. 

SYLLABUS: 

Week 1:
*Topics - Sun and Solar System (overview)
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides

Week 2: 
*Topics - Con't Sun and Solar System (overview)
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides
*Project - Sunspot & Solar Eclipse Viewer

Week 3: 
*Topics - Inner Planets: Mercury, Venus
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides

Week 4: 
*Topics - Inner Planets: Earth (Moon), Mars
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides
*Project - Rocket Ship Foldable (about your favorite planet)

Week 5:
*Topics - Outer Planets: Jupiter, Saturn
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides

Week 6: 
*Topics - Outer Planets: Uranus, Neptune
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides
*Project - Edible Solar System

Week 7:
*Topics - Asteroids, Comets, Meteors
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides

Week 8:
*Topics - Stars, Black Holes, and Worm Holes
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides
*Projects - Marshmallow Constellation Lab; Constellation Station Digital Activity

Week 9:
*Topics - Star Systems, Star Clusters
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides

Week 10:
*Topics - Galaxies, The Universe
*Activities - Nearpod interactive slides
*Project: Sidewalk Chalk Drawings 

Other middle school classes I have available: Semester 1 and 2 ongoing, live middle school science, and (coming in early 2024) pre-chemistry.