Mini-Semester Course

learning how to use a telescope

learning how to use a telescope

In our Mini-Semester course for ages 12 and up, over 6-8 weeks your learner will:

  • Learn how to use a telescope and gain in self confidence as you practice using it over time
  • Learn about magnification and focal length
  • Track what planet or planets are visible over 6 weeks
  • Become proficient at finding constellations in the sky
  • Understand what causes our seasons on Earth
  • Chart the moon over 4 weeks measuring its altitude and azimuth with an astrolabe and your hands
  • Discover how moon phases and eclipses work
  • Walk away knowing why the North star will not always be our North star
  • Get a feel for the immense space between the planets
  • Get a feel for our place in the universe, our “universal address”
  • Understand what you can do to decrease light pollution and save our night sky
  • Understand astronomical distance scales
  • Understand the life cycles of stars
  • Learn about black holes, gravity and space time
  • Learn about Astrobiology and the search for life in the universe
  • Each night time class also consists of setting up our telescopes, touring the night sky that night, hearing a star lore story and viewing major celestial objects in my 10″ telescope.This is sure to be a confidence building experience for anyone interested in learning about astronomy!

This is sure to be a confidence building experience for anyone interested in learning about astronomy!

Inspire interest in STEM fields. Sign up for this engaging, hands-on program:

  • Covers MANY Science TEKS for grades 4-8 (4.2b, 4.2c, 4.2d, 4.4a, 4.8c; 5.2c, 5.2d, 5.4a, 5.8c, 5.8d; 6.2a, 6.2c, 6.2d, 6.3b, 6.3c, 6.4a, 6.11a, 6.11 b; 7.2a, 7.2c, 7.3b, 7.3c, 7.4a, 7.9a; 8.2a, 8.2c, 8.2d, 8.3b, 8.3c, 8.4a, 8.7a, 8.7b, 8.7c, 8.8a, 8.8b, 8.8c, 8.8d)
  • and Astronomy TEKS for grades 9-12 (AST.2 f,i AST.5 a,b,c AST.6 a,b,c,d,e AST.7 a,b,c,d AST.8 a,b,c,d AST.9 a,b,d AST.12 b)
  • Is facilitated by experienced and knowledgeable educators passionate about their field
  • Increases student’s experience with a STEM field
  • Fosters intrinsic motivation for lifelong learning
  • Gets them outside!

Spring 2016 Courses:

LAKEWAY– REGISTER HERE by April 6th

 

All night time classes are limited to 12 learners in order to maintain quality and allow for individual questioning.  To request this program for your learner or a group of learners, or to customize this program, please email me at: amy@starryskyaustin.com or call:  713-825-7978.