Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Assessments of Learning (Wednesday and Thursday)

You have today and tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday) to write or create your assessment for the first unit.

The assessment must be done by yourself and include the following:

a) an explanation of how your timeline was submitted (email, picture message, a url, etc.) and partner names, so I can make certain you receive credit. (30 pts)

b) your copy of the moon lab, through pp. 8 (20 pts)

c) an essay, drawing, song, uploaded youtube video, Prezi, or other creation that tells me your critical thinking about astronomy (50 pts)

  • how science, astronomy, astrology and religion have been connected and disconnected over the past two thousand years
  • three influential astronomers that collected evidence of heliocentric patterns and their specific contributions (hint:  your powerpoint is helpful here)
  • the purpose of astronomy
You will be graded on this rubric.



Holistic Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric


4

Consistently does all or almost all of the following:

  • Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, presented in class.
  • Identifies the arguments (reasons and claims) pro and con on science, religion and pseudoscience.
  • Draws warranted,logical conclusions.
  • Justifies key results and procedures, explains assumptions and reasons.
  • Fair-mindedly follows where evidence and reasons lead.
    3
    Does most or many of the following:
    Accurately interprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, presented in class.
    Identifies relevant arguments (reasons and claims) pro and con on some science.
    Offers analyses and evaluations of obvious alternative points of view.
    Draws warranted, logical conclusions.
    Justifies some results or procedures, explains reasons.
    Fair-mindedly follows where evidence and reasons lead.
    2
    Does most or many of the following:
    Misinterprets evidence, statements, graphics, questions, etc.
    Fails to identify strong, relevant counter-arguments.
    Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
    Draws unwarranted or fallacious conclusions.
    Justifies few results or procedures, seldom explains reasons.
    Regardless of the evidence or reasons, maintains or defends views based on
    self-interest or preconceptions.
    1
    Consistently does all or almost all of the following:
    Offers biased interpretations of evidence, statements, graphics, questions,
    information, or the points of view of others.
    Fails to identify or hastily dismisses strong, relevant counter-arguments.
    Ignores or superficially evaluates obvious alternative points of view.
    Argues using fallacious or irrelevant reasons, and unwarranted claims.
    Does not justify results or procedures, nor explain reasons.
    Regardless of the evidence or reasons, maintains or defends views based on
    self-interest or preconceptions.
    Exhibits close-mindedness or hostility to reason.


    (c) 1994, Peter A. Facione, Noreen C. Facione, and The California Academic Press. 217 La Cruz
    Ave., Millbrae, CA 94030.
    Permission is hereby granted to students, faculty, staff, or administrators


Friday, August 26, 2011

Moon Dance

What caused the earth to form?
How long does it take the moon to have one day?
Why are the moon and earth locked in a cycle?
Why are the tides a good thing?
What is happening each year to the moon-Earth system?


You will need to complete the activity found here

Possible links of help.
http://astro.unl.edu/naap/lps/animations/lps.html

http://www.astro.wisc.edu/~dolan/java/MoonPhase.html

http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr161/lect/time/phases.jpg 





Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Class Questions for Discussion, 8/23

Sometime during today's class period, you need to sign in with your GMAIL address, and comment on one of these questions below




Why is the Earth's axis not fixed?
Why was Ophiucus picked to be left out?
Why is your constellation hidden on your birthday?
How did they start measuring light years?
How may people actually go by astrology
Is Ophiucus no a zodiac sign?
What is Nadir?
Why is when your born more important then when you are created?
What is the Celestial Sphere?
How do you measure a light year?
What is a Zenith?
What solar system is the sun a part of?
Why do people try and find shape in the stars?













Thursday, August 18, 2011

Modeling the Big Dipper

We'll use an online planetarium  to take a look at what the asterism commonly known as "The Big Dipper".  An asterism and a constellation are NOT the same thing.  Asterisms are common shapes and constellations mark out areas of real estate in the night sky.

Draw a diagram of the Dipper in your notebook.   Label each of the 7 stars with a number.  Below, place a table that lists the following for each corresponding number:

Number |Star Name  |Magnitude |RA  |Dec  | Distance



When you get done with this, please list the main stars in TWO of the following constellations in the same manner as you did above. (Pick from  Cassiopeia, Bootes, Cepheus, Capricornus, Sagittarius, Ursa Minor, or Draco).  Are these asterisms, constellations, or both?

This data will be used to create an aluminum foil model in space.


Science, Religion, and Pseudoscience




Chunk the reading found at http://www.stephenjaygould.org/library/gould_noma.html into pieces...so everyone at your table is reading 4 to 5 paragraphs. When you get done, use a whiteboard to discuss the following questions:

a) what is science?
b) what is religion?
c) what is the theory of non-overlapping magisterium?
d) what would we call the overlap of science and religion?
e) which of the three ideas (science, pseudoscience, religion) were shown by the first astronomers?
f) can atheism be a religion?


Carl Sagan: Science vs. Pseudoscience