Astronomy Unit Lesson Plan
Teache: Maher
School Year: 2014-15
UNIT: Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
Standards (Ohio
Revised
Standards for
Science)
Science Inquiry and Application
During the years of grades 9 through 12, all students must use the following scientific processes with appropriate laboratory
safety techniques to construct their knowledge and understanding in all science content areas:
• Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations;
• Design and conduct scientific investigations;
• Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications;
• Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking);
• Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and
• Communicate and support a scientific argument
The Universe
In early elementary school, observations of the sky and space are the foundation for developing a deeper knowledge of the
solar system. In late elementary school, the parts of the solar system are introduced, including characteristics of the sun and
planets, orbits and celestial bodies. At the middle school level, energy, waves, gravity and density are emphasized in the
physical sciences, and characteristics and patterns within the solar system are found.
In the physical science course, the universe and galaxies are introduced, building upon the previous knowledge about space and the solar
system in the earlier grades.
Lesson
Objectives/Goals
List the parts of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and how the wavelength and energy varies.
Describe how light behaves as both a particle and as a wave.
Design an experiment with IR light and submit a lab report.
Explain how the chemical composition of stars is studied by analyzing the light they emit.
Calculate the temperature and energy of stars.
Calculate the spectral class of stars.
Calculate the redshift, distance and luminosity of stars.
List and describe how various spectral lines are made using Kirchhoff’s laws
Daily Lessons:
DATES
9/29 – 10/3
MONDAY
Test – Chapter 2
TUESDAY
Planetarium – Winter
sky and myths
WEDNESDAY
Make Star Finders
List Winter constellations
THURSDAY
IR Lab
FRIDAY
COSMOS – Hiding in
the Light
Pre-lab IR light lab
HW: Current Event Due
HW: bring remote
control and camera
10/6 – 10/10
Spectroscopy Lab
Finish IR Lab
Visual Interpretation
Activity
Wein’s Law
Steffan-Boltzman Law
problems
Finish COSMOS
episode
Light Notes
EMS handout
10/13- 10/17
Planetarium –
-Discuss current events
-Seasonal sky and
myths
Spectroscopy Packet
Calculate temperature,
energy, composition and
spectral class of stars
HW: IR lab report due
friday
HW: IR lab report due
friday
HW: IR lab report due
friday
Spectroscopy Packet
Calculate Redshift
Planetarium –
-Discuss current events
-Seasonal sky and myths
NO Seniors
PSAT DAY
Work on Chapter 2
questions –due Monday,
test Tuesday
HW: IR lab report due
friday
Planetarium
HW: IR lab report due
friday
Current Event Due
NO SCHOOL –
NO SCHOOL