This course is a topic driven astronomy course, designed for homeschoolers of ages approximately 10-13. No advanced math is required. The course will be composed of two units, chosen by the students from the following list:

• The Life and Death of Stars
• Black Holes
• The World of Galaxies
• Is there life in the universe outside of the Earth?
• The Beginning of the Universe: Big Bang Cosmology
• The End of the Universe

The course will involve reading from selections (usually less than 15 pages) and question and answer assignments on the reading, followed by in-class discussion. There are no textbooks. I also hope to take the entire class to either a planetarium show, or a star party at Case Western Reserve's Telescope in Lake County (date TBD). I welcome comments from both the students and parents.

I will assume that the assigned reading has been done before class, so please be prepared!

Class 1 - Feb. 5 - Introduction, Conduct, Vote on Topics, The Scientific Method

Class 2 - Feb. 19 - Topic 1, Class 1

Class 3 - Feb. 26 - Topic 1, Class 2

Class 4 - Mar. 5 - Topic 1, Class 3

Class 5 - Mar. 26 - Topic 1, Class 4

Class 6 - Apr. 2 - Topic 1, Class 5

Class 7 - Apr. 9 -  Topic 2, Class 1

Class 8 - Apr. 16 - Topic 2, Class 2

Class 9 - Apr. 23 - Topic 2, Class 3

Class 10 - Apr. 30 -  Topic 2, Class 4

Class 11 - May 7 -  Topic 2, Class 5