Astronomy 101 Final Project
Due Date___________
Today we are in the midst of another period of scientific achievement. Astronomers are finding out about the
invisible universe like Galileo discovered the universe we can see. To study all that has been known in the past and all that we
are currently learning about our universe would take much more time than a two trimesters of study. Your final project is
your opportunity to explore the questions you have about space that we have not touched on.
The project:
This is an individual project. Think about one area of astronomy that we have not covered or have not covered as fully as you
would like- I have some suggestions on the bottom of this paper to get you started but do not limit yourself to these suggestions.
Research and explore that area of astronomy. Then you will be teaching the class (science fair style) about that area of study. You
want to have a question that you are exploring. Check your question with me. Then you must be able to make a conclusion about
that question. You then are responsible for teaching the rest of the class (in small groups) about your topic including the following
in your lesson:
1. What is the question and why were you curious about this topic?
2. What did you find out?-you need to have a visual display of this (examples are power point, tri-board, etc)
3. Have an interactive way to teach about your topic to a small group: this can be a board game, a jeopardy type quiz
show, a demonstration or lab, a working model, etc.
4. Some short way to test those students learned what you were teaching them. (Written quiz, oral discussion, etc.)
5. Try to stay away from the oral report format and think of an interactive way to get students involved in your
presentation.
6. You should keep your time to about 12-15minutes in length
Some ideas for topics:
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Could there be life somewhere also in the universe-Explore the idea of astrobiology? Demonstrate how living things
might be vastly different.
Could we live somewhere else in space—create a model of life on another planet or the moon.
What is the physics of getting to space?
Can we eventually travel faster than light? How? Demonstrate how light travels.
How do telescopes work? Build your own telescope or reconstruct the class telescope.
Why are Jupiter’s moon so geologically active? Do a lab from the moons of Jupiter guide.
How do I look at the stars at home? Develop an at home guide for students to learn about the stars they see.
Where do meteorites come from?
Did an impact kill the dinosaurs? What evidences are there?
Why is there an asteroid belt?
What makes the North Star so special? When and why is the North Star different? How is it used in determining the
location of stars?
How can a planet’s surface reveal its age?
Is the impact threat a real danger or media hype?
What is string theory?
How do the quantum laws affect special types of stars?
How does solar activity vary with time?
How does nuclear fusion occur in the sun?
How do we know what is happening inside the sun?
What is the smallest mass a newborn star can have?
What are the supporting ideas and controversial ideas to the Big Bang Theory?
What do astronomers think about when and how life began?
Explain black holes.
How could solar activity affect telecommunications? Our way of lif e?
What is the history of space exploration?
How do rockets work, build a model rocket.
How do satellites work?
Meteorology: Explanation of weather patterns and weather phenomenon
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28. Your suggestion: _________________________________ approved by Mrs. P________
Astronomy 101 Final Project
Due Date___________
Name: _____________________
Date: ___________________
Project Title: _____________________
Teacher(s): Painter
Final Project
Process
Below Avg.
1. Has clear vision of final product
1, 2, 3
2. Properly organized to complete project
1, 2, 3
3. Managed time wisely
1, 2, 3
4. Acquired needed knowledge base
1, 2, 3
5. Communicated efforts with Mrs. Painter
1, 2, 3
Product (Project)
Below Avg.
1. Format-answers a scientific question
1, 2, 3
2. Mechanics of speaking/writing
1, 2, 3
3. Organization and structure
1, 2, 3
4. Creativity
1, 2, 3
5. Demonstrates knowledge of scientific question
1, 2, 3
6. Visual assists in presenting information
1, 2, 3
7. Interactive with students
1,2,3
8. Has model, lab or other demonstration
1,2,3
10. Overall effectiveness of project
1,2,3
Satisfactory
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
Satisfactory
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
4, 5, 6
Excellent
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
Excellent
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8, 9, 10
7, 8, 9,10
7, 8 ,9, 10
7, 8 ,9, 10
7, 8 ,9, 10
Total Score:______________________/
Teacher(s) Comments: