NATURE OF SCIENCE
Fall 2015, Ms. Denos
Email: denos@illinois.edu Office: Room 307 Uni
Office Hours: By appointment during 2nd, lunch, 5th, Uni period, 7th, or after school
Course website: http://subfreshmanhomework20152016.wikispaces.com/Science+%28Ms.+Denos%29
COURSE OVERVIEW
In this course we will improve our understanding of the nature of science through
the study of astronomy. Students will learn how to develop and refine models in
science, how to analyze and interpret data, how to construct scientific explanations,
and how to engage in scientific argumentation. Along the way, we will not only
improve our understanding of the process of science, but also of what our universe
and solar system are made of, how they were formed, how everyday phenomena
like lunar phases and seasons work, and whether we are alone in the universe.
Observations of the night sky will be integral to this course. We will build our own
telescopes in class and use these to observe the night sky. Extra credit will be
available to students who participate in evening field trips to the UIUC Observatory
(these will occur on 9/4, 9/27, 10/2, 11/6, & 12/4, weather permitting). You will
especially not want to miss the total lunar eclipse on the night of 9/27 (beginning
around 11pm). You are encouraged to invite your family and friends to share this
incredible experience with you!
Textbook:
Benbow, A., Carpenter, M., Hoover, M., Smith, M. J., and Southard, J. B. (2012).
EarthComm, project-based space and earth system science (2nd Ed.). Armonk, NY: It’s
About Time.
For online access, see www.ebook.iat.com. Enter user name “Subbiescience” and
password “Unihighclassof2019”.
COURSEWORK & GRADING
(Note: Grades will be posted to PowerSchool every 1-2 weeks)
Your grade will be calculated from five equally weighted items: 1. Laboratory
Reports, 2. Quizzes, 3. Homework, 4. Projects, and 5. Class Participation. You will be
allowed to drop your lowest laboratory report grade and your lowest homework
grade at the end of each quarter. The grading scale used is:
Grade
A+
A
A-
Cutoff (%)
97
93
90
B+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
D-
87
83
80
77
73
70
67
63
60
Laboratory Reports: You must buy a laboratory notebook with carbonless copies
no later than the second week of class. You may use loose-leaf or notebook paper
until then. You will turn in copies of your notebook, unless the copies are
unreadable, in which case I will need the originals. Lab notebooks will be graded for
completeness and organization. I will let you know which assignments should be
done in your laboratory notebook. When working in groups, each student should
record observations, predictions, notes, etc. in his or her own notebook. Any graphs
or other work done on the computer must be printed out and turned in with your
notebook copies.
Quizzes: There will be approximately five quizzes. Each of these will be equally
weighted and will cover 1-2 weeks of material presented in class, in homework
problems, and in experiments/observations.
Projects: You will have two major projects, one due at the end of each term. These
will be done in groups of 3-4 students per group. You will need to develop excellent
teamwork and collaboration skills to be successful with these group projects.
Homework: Homework will generally involve reading and answering questions
from the textbook, but may involve other material that will be provided to you when
the assignment is given. Most homework will be assigned several days to a week
before it is due.
Class participation: There are five components to your participation grade: 1.
Attendance, 2. Preparation, 3. Citizenship, 4. Safety, and 5. Teamwork. I will post
your class participation grade to PowerSchool on a monthly basis.
Policy on attendance & late work: Late work will be accepted for reduced credit.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have turned in your work. I encourage you
to check with me if you think you may not have turned in an assignment. In the case
of an excused absence, the work is due and arrangements for make-up work must
be made immediately upon your return to school. If you are absent, you will need to
get class information from a classmate and the Wiki. You are expected to know the
class material and are responsible for picking up all handouts given out during that
class meeting.