Our Solar System is a unique and incredible place within our Universe. From the barren terrain of Mercury to the large gas giant Jupiter, each planet has its own fascinating features. In this course, learners will study about the eight planets of our Solar System,  Earth’s Moon and the Sun, and dwarf planets, comets, and asteroids.

This is an asynchronous course. There are no live meetings. This type of learning is wonderful for learners who live across different time zones and/or don’t prefer to be on camera.

Students will learn through Nearpod (an external website), watching or reading additional videos or articles, and doing research from NASA’s website.

For each unit, I will provide a direct link and/or code the students will need to log into the Nearpod classroom using an internet browser OR the Nearpod app on a tablet/smartphone. *You do not need a Nearpod account.*

Optional projects:
Each week, students will be given the opportunity to do optional projects and activities that will allow the students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the lesson material. 

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✨Unit 1: The Terrestrial Planets
In this class, we will explore the terrestrial planets in our Solar System (Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) and discover unique features of each of these alien worlds. Students will learn things like: What defines a terrestrial planet? Do they have moons? What makes them alike and different from Earth? What have scientists learned while exploring these planets?

✨Unit 2: Earth’s Moon
In this class, we will look at how the Moon serves an important role for supporting the balance of life on Earth. We will also study its phases and look at some of its geographical features.

✨Unit 3: The Gas Giant Planets
In this class, we will explore the gas giant planets in our Solar System (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) and discover unique features of each of these alien worlds. Students will learn things like: What defines a gas giant planet? What have scientists learned about these planets’ moons? Is Saturn the only planet with rings?

✨Unit 4: Dwarf Planets, Asteroids, and Comets
In this class, we’ll discuss three interesting objects: Pluto, comets, and asteroids. Is a dwarf planet just another name for a small planet? Are there differences between asteroids and comets?

✨Unit 5: The Sun
In this class, we will study our consistent, yet active Sun. It is in a sense, the anchor for our Solar System. While much is known about our nearest star, scientists are still unraveling more incredible discoveries about our crucial, life sustaining Sun.
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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 together time, 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.