Teacher: Dr. John Feldmeier, Ph.D.
Home Phone: (216) 321-1278
Work Phone: (216) 368-0310
email: johnf@eor.astr.cwru.edu
Class Website: http://burro.astr.cwru.edu/johnf/clc.html
Location: Cleveland Heights Public Library, 7-8:30 pm
This course is a broad overview of astronomy, designed for homeschoolers of ages approximately 10-13. No advanced math is required. The course is composed of two units: 1) Finding our way around the sky, and 2) A brief history of astronomy from the Ancients through Sir Issac Newton. I hope to teach a course covering more astronomy topics in the spring, if there is interest. Parents are welcome to attend all classes.
The course will involve in-class labs, and in-class discussions of the reading assignments.The only required out-of-class work will be reading from the two texts: The Stars: A new way to see them (TS) by H.A. Rey and Blind Watchers of the Sky (BW) by Rocky Kolb. However, I will give information for some suggested optional activities after each class to enhance your understanding. 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 - Sept. 5 - Introduction, Astronomy Diagnostic Test, Powers of Ten, Lab: Our Galactic Address
Class 2 - Sept. 12 - Lab: The Phases of the Moon - Reading: BW - pgs 1-9, TS 1-24, 136-140
Class 3 - Sept. 19 - Discussion: Early Astronomy and Tycho Brahe - The Observer - Reading: BW 13-42
Class 4 - Oct. 3 - Lab: Constellations and Navigation - Reading: TS 108-117
Class 5 - Oct. 10 - Discussion: Kepler - The Theorist, Lab: Kepler's Laws - Reading: BW 43-71
Class 6 - Oct. 17 - Lab: The Reason for the Seasons - Reading: TS 118-121
Class 7 - Oct. 24 - Discussion: Galileo: Telescopes and The Vatican - Reading: BW 73-112
Class 8 - Nov 7 - Discussion: Newton: How do you like them apples? - Reading: BW 113-135
Class 9 - Nov 14 - Discussion: What do astronomers actually do? Telescopes, computers, and lots of writing!