By the end of the grade, students will have examined the formation, composition, and characteristics of the solar system, stars, and universe.
Vocabulary
Asteroids, axis tilt, Big Bang, colonization, comets, constellations, Copernicus, galaxies, Kepler, moons, nebulae, planets, probes, Ptolemy, revolution, rotation, satellites, solar and lunar eclipses, spectroscopes, star clusters/types, Sun, telescopes, terraforming
Knowledge
• technologies advance understanding of the solar system, stars, and universe
• components of the universe and solar system
• significance of Earth’s rotation, revolution, and axis tilt
• celestial sphere in relation to constellations and their location
• motion of constellations, planets, moons, sun, asteroids, and comets
• solar and lunar eclipses
• implications of space travel
Skills and Attitudes
• illustrate astronomical phenomena
• show respect for Aboriginal perspectives
• identify ethical considerations associated with space travel
RESOURCES
First Nations in British Columbia(handbook for a trip to the museum of anthropology)
Article on the need for an ethical framework for dealing with non-intelligent extra terrestrial life
Cosmic Quest: discovering astronomy through science and culture (excellent, features 3 aboriginal groups, although not BC)
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PRESCRIBED LEARNING OUTCOMES
D1
It is expected that students will:
Explain how a variety of
technologies have advanced
understanding of the universe
and solar system
D2
It is expected that students will:
Describe the major components
and characteristics of the
universe and solar systemD3
It is expected that students will:
Describe traditional perspectives
of a range of Aboriginal peoples
in BC on the relationship
between the Earth and celestial
bodiesD4
It is expected that students will:
Explain astronomical
phenomena with reference to
the Earth/moon systemD5
It is expected that students will:
Analyse the implications of
space travel
