Fri., Dec. 13, 2013

Objectives:  Identify the term "exoplanet"
and how we find them.
Announcements: None
Opener: Neil DeGrasse Tyson on Aliens link

Gravity Explained link
Special Relativity vs. General Relativity link
Current Exoplanet Count link
How we look for exoplanets link
Kepler Mission link  other

Thurs., Dec. 12, 2013

Objectives: Describe how distances 
and times vary if you are travelling 
very, very fast
Announcements: None
Opener: Xmas Wordies

Special Theory of Relativity 3 & 4 link
Special Relativity vs. General Relativity

Wed., Dec. 11, 2013

Objectives: How does mass and energy fit into Einstien's Theories of Relativity?
Announcements: None
Opener: Noel Canticles?

Special Theory of Relativity link

Toward the General Theory of

Relativity link

Tues., Dec. 10 , 2013

Objectives: Describe how distances 
and times vary if you are travelling 
very, very fast
Announcements: None
Opener: What's a Light Year?
Light minute?
light second?
Einstein's Space-Time link

Mon., Dec. 10, 2013

Objectives:  How can we see the 
effects of dark matter in the universe?

Announcements: None
Opener:  None

Dark Matter/Dark Energy Reading link

Write your reflection
Read & Reflect Expectations

• Introduce the topic
• Summary of article with facts
• Commentary & Connections
• Questions

Fri., Dec. 6, 2013

Objectives:  How can we see the 
effects of dark matter in the universe?

Announcements: None
Opener:Gravitational Lensing

 










Text Mark-up symbols link

Dark Matter/Dark Energy Reading link

Write your reflection
Read & Reflect Expectations

• Introduce the topic
• Summary of article with facts
• Commentary & Connections
• Questions

Thurs., Dec. 5, 2013

Objectives:  What are some possibilities
for what dark matter is made of?
Announcements: None
Opener: Evidence for Dark Matter 
& Dark Energy link

Text Mark-up symbols link

Dark Matter/Dark Energy Reading link

Read and write a reflection
Read & Reflect Expectations

• Introduce the topic
• Summary of article with facts
• Commentary & Connections
• Questions

Wed., Dec. 4, 2013

Objectives:  What are some possibilities
for what dark matter is made of?
Announcements: None
Opener: Evidence for Dark Matter 
& Dark Energy link

Dark Matter/Dark Energy Reading link

Tues., Dec. 3, 2013

Objectives:  What are some possibilities
for what dark matter is made of?
Announcements: None
Opener: 

Dark Matter/Dark Energy video link

Mon., Dec. 2, 2013

Objectives:  Reorganization
Announcements: Grades/Assignments
Opener: Comet ISON link
Are we the center of the universe?
Big Bang
What's the Universe Expanding Into?
Dark Matter/Dark Energy

Mon. & Tues., Nov. 25 & 26, 2013

Grading and conferences
No School

Fri., Nov. 22, 2013

Objectives:  How do we know the
universe is expanding and what does
that mean?
Announcements: Grading on Mon.
Check grade.  Hand in missing work.
Opener: 

The Expanding Universe
Get a grade for your spectroscope/
calibration curve, mercury spectrum
and unknown gas spectrum.

Thurs., Nov. 21, 2013

Objectives:  Identify an unknown
element from it's spectrum and find
frequency & energy of mercury lines
Announcements: Grading on Mon.
All missing work due tomorrow.
Opener: Doppler Shift Audio Link
A little video on the doppler effect link

Where is comet ISON now? link
Better  Best
Get a grade for your spectroscope/
calibration curve, mercury spectrum
and unknown gas spectrum.
Use your spectroscope to identify
one of the mystery gases
Calculate the frequency & energy of
mercury spectral lines link
tinyurl.com/shafferspectra2
Virtual Flame Test Lab (for absentees) link

Wed., Nov. 20, 2013

Objectives:  Identify an unknown
element from it's spectrum and find
frequency & energy of mercury lines
Announcements: Grading on Mon.
Check grade.  Hand in missing work.
Opener: None
Use your spectroscope to identify
one of the mystery gases
Calculate the frequency & energy of
mercury spectral lines link
tinyurl.com/shafferspectra2
Virtual Flame Test Lab (for absentees) link

Tues., Nov. 19, 2013

Objectives:  Identify an unknown
element from it's spectrum
Announcements: Grading on Mon.
Check grade.  Hand in missing work.
Opener: None
Calibrate your spectroscope link
Use your spectroscope to identify
one of the mystery gases
tinyurl.com/shafferspectra2
Virtual Flame Test Lab (for absentees) link

Mon., Nov. 18, 2013

Objectives:  Create a calibration curve
for your spectroscope
Announcements: Grading on Mon.
Check grade.  Hand in missing work.
Opener: LoggerPro

Calibrate your spectroscope link
Use your spectroscope to identify
one of the mystery gases
tinyurl.com/shafferspectra2

Fri., Nov. 15, 2013

Objectives: Build your own Spectroscope
or Perform the Flame Test Lab
Announcements: None
Opener: Calculate energy from frequency
or wavelength

link

Build a Spectroscope link

Rulers for spectroscope link 
Flame Test Procedure link

Thurs., Nov. 14, 2013

Objectives: Build your own Spectroscope
or Perform the Flame Test Lab
Announcements: None
Opener: Relationship between frequency
and wavelength
link

Build a Spectroscope link

Rulers for spectroscope link 
Flame Test Procedure link

Wed., Nov. 13, 2013

Objectives: Build your own Spectroscope
or Perform the Flame Test Lab
Announcements: None
Opener: None

Build a Spectroscope link

Rulers for spectroscope link 
Flame Test Procedure link

Tues., Nov. 12, 2013

Objectives: Be prepared to begin the labs
Announcements:  Extra Credit Opportunity
Opener: WackyWordies

Build a Spectroscope link

Rulers for spectroscope link 
Flame Test Procedure link

Fri., Nov. 8, 2013

Objectives: Be prepared to begin the labs
Announcements:  Extra Credit Opportunity
Opener: Wackie Wordies

Milkyway Galaxy in Different Wavelengths

Diffraction Gratings

Spectrum Tubes

Flame Test Procedure

Thurs., Nov. 7, 2013

Objectives: Explain the differences
between various wavelengths of
EM waves
Announcements:  Notebooks at EOP
Opener: VSauce: What is "Red"
VSauce: No Yellow?

EM Spectrum fill-in

Wed., Nov. 6, 2013

Objectives: Explain the differences
between various wavelengths of
EM waves
Announcements:  Notebooks at EOP
Opener: EM Spectrum notes link

EM Spectrum fill-in

VSauce What is "Red"

Tues., Nov. 5, 2013

Objectives: Deep thought questions
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opener: Visible part of EM Spectrum
and relationship to astronomy link
Movie follow up Questions link
Get them evaluated

Mon., Nov. 4, 2013

Objectives: Describe some problems 
associated with space flight, space 
exploration and how the group 
process can solve seemingly insur-
mountable problems.
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Movie follow up Questions link

Fri., Nov. 1, 2013

Objectives: Describe some problems 
associated with space flight, space 
exploration and how the group 
process can solve seemingly insur-
mountable problems.
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data: Movie Focus Questions link
Apollo 13: The Movie
Follow up Questions link

Thurs., Oct. 31, 2013

Objectives: Examine how astronomers 
view the stars
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data: Movie Focus Questions link
Apollo 13: The Movie

Wed., Oct. 30, 2013

Objectives: Examine how astronomers 
view the stars
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data: Movie Focus Questions link
Apollo 13: The Movie

Tues., Oct. 29, 2013

Objectives: Examine how astronomers 
view the stars
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data: Movie Focus Questions link
Apollo 13: The Movie

Mon., Oct. 28, 2013

Objectives: Examine how astronomers 
view the stars
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data: July 20, 1969  
"That's one small step for man...
Life and presidency of John F. Kennedy
Speech at Rice University
Apollo 13: The Movie

Hmm?!?!

Objectives: Examine how astronomers 
view the stars
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data:  EM Spectrum Fill-in

EM Around Us video

Woopsie!

Objectives: Examine how astronomers 
view the stars
Announcements:  Bring a cereal box
Extra credit for up to 5 additional
Opening Data:  Milkyway Galaxy in
various wavelengths of light
Notes:
Forms of light
EM Spectrum video
EM Around Us video

Fri., Oct. 25, 2013

Objectives:  How has Einstein's ideas 
changed the way we understand, time,
space, matter and energy?
Announcements: Hand in your journals
Tab for older assignments
Opening Data:  Finding the Planets link
Extra Credit opportunity! 

Finish Einstien's Big Idea video

Thurs., Oct. 24, 2013

Objectives:  How has Einstein's ideas 
changed the way we understand, time,
space and energy?
Announcements: Journals tomorrow
Opening Data:  Wacky Wordies
Extra Credit opportunity! 
Any more reflections?

Finish Einstien's Big Idea video

Wed., Oct. 23, 2013

Objectives:  How has Einstein's ideas 
changed the way we understand, time,
space and energy?
Announcements: Journals Friday
Opening Data:  Table of Contents 

link

More reflections?

Einstien's big idea video

Tues., Oct. 22, 2013

Objectives:  How has Einstein's ideas 
changed the way we understand, time,
space and energy?
Announcements: Journals Friday
Opening Data:  Table of Contents 
Hand in reflections

What if Superman Punched You?  VSauce

Einstiens big idea video

Mon., Oct. 21, 2013

Objectives:  How does nuclear fusion
in the sun release energy?
Announcements: Journals Friday
Opening Data:  Speed o' light,
c = 3 x 10⁸ meters/second
670 million miles/hour

7 times around the earth in a second

1.5 seconds to travel to the moon

8 minutes to the sun  

Where does all the energy come from

in nuclear interactions?  

4.3 x 10¹² g lost by the sun each second through nuclear fusion 

What energy is equivalent to
that?  

Don't forget!! Reflection is
due tomorrow.

Fri., Oct. 18, 2013

Objectives:  What are the primary 
differences between the two nuclear 
processes?
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data:  Some sizes of things
in the solar system link

Pluto & beyond link

A Deeper look at Fission and Fusion video

Text Coding link
Mini-moons link
Write a reflection...due Tuesday (typed)
Read & Reflect Expectations

• Introduce the topic
• Summary of article with facts
• Commentary & Connections
• Questions

Thurs., Oct. 17, 2013

Objectives:  What are the primary 
differences between the two nuclear 
processes?
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data:  Fusion Breakthrough link

A Deeper look at Fission
and Fusion video

Text Coding link
Mini-moons link

Wed., Oct. 16, 2013

Objectives:  Describe what causes the 
aurorae we see here on earth
Announcements: PSAT Day!
Opening Data:  None
Secrets of the Sun video

Tues., Oct. 15, 2013

Objectives:  What are the primary 
differences between the two nuclear 
processes?
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data:  Fusion Breakthrough link

A Deeper look at Fission
and Fusion video

Make-up

Thurs., Oct. 10, 2013

Objectives:  What are the primary 
differences between the two nuclear 
processes?
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data: Other nuclear processes
Nuclear Fission

Make-up

Wed., Oct. 9, 2013

Objectives:  Why does the sun shine?
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data: Fusion in stars

Massive Solar Eruption

Make-up

Tues., Oct. 8, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Orbits
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data: How to pronounce Uranus
Sun Layers & Facts

Mon., Oct. 7, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Orbits
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data: Planisphere add-ons...

• Ring nebula image map
• Orion nebula image map
• Crab nebula image map
• Summer Triangle 
• Andromeda galaxy image map
• Asterisms (coat hanger, teapot, diamond ring)

Finish & get a grade...
Kepler's 1st Law Activity link
Kepler's 2nd & 3rd Labs link image | link questions

Fri., Oct. 4, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Orbits
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data: 
Finish & get a grade...
Kepler's 1st Law Activity link

• Kepler Boards
• Graph Paper
• Colored Pencils

Kepler's 2nd & 3rd Labs link image | link questions

Thurs., Oct. 3, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Orbits
Announcements: Grading - Oct. 14
Opening Data: None
Check with me for a grade when you're done...
Kepler's 1st Law Activity link

• Kepler Boards
• Graph Paper
• Colored Pencils

Kepler's 2nd & 3rd Labs link image | link questions

Wed., Oct. 2, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Orbits
Announcements: 
Opening Data: None
Kepler's 1st Law Activity link

• Kepler Boards
• Graph Paper
• Colored Pencils

Tues., Oct. 1, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Orbits
Announcements: Journals
Opening Data: Ellipses & Eccentricity link
Solar system Interactive link
Kepler's 1st Law Activity

• Kepler Boards
• Graph Paper
• Colored Pencils

Mon., Sept. 30, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Data
Announcements: Journals
Opening Data: Viewing Meteor Showers
video link

Finish Planet Data & Questions
Kepler's 1st Law Activity

• Kepler Boards
• Graph Paper
• Colored Pencils

Fri., Sept. 27, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Data
Announcements: Hand in notebook
at the end of this class
Opening Data: Meteor Showers

Planet Data & Questions

Thurs., Sept. 26, 2013

Objectives:  Analyze Planet Data
Announcements: Notebooks tomorrow
Opening Data: RCA & star parties

Planet Data & Questions
Write the names of the bright stars on 
your planisphere

Wed., Sept. 25, 2013

Objectives:  Learn to use your planisphere 
Announcements: Notebook grading again-
Friday
Opening Data: Table of Contents

Check grades with me
Finish the planisphere assignment  link
In your journals please, full sentence 
answers so that the question is clear
Write the names of the bright stars on 
your planisphere

Tues., Sept. 24, 2013

Objectives:  Learn to use your planisphere 
Announcements: Grades/Notebooks
Opening Data: Measuring angles in the
sky with your hand

Using a planisphere  link
In your journals please, full sentence 
answers so that the question is clear

Mon., Sept. 23, 2013

Objectives:  Learn to use your planisphere 
Announcements: Grades/Notebooks
Opening Data: None
Using a planisphere  link
In your journals please, full sentence 
answers so that the question is clear

Fri., Sept. 20, 2013

Objectives:  Learn to use your planisphere 
Announcements: Grades/Notebooks
Opening Data: None
Using a planisphere  link
In your journals please, full sentence 
answers so that the question is clear

Thurs., Sept. 19, 2013

Objectives:  Learn to use your planisphere 
Announcements: Grades/Notebooks
Opening Data: Online Planisphere link
Brief intro to your planisphere
Using a planisphere  link

Wed., Sept. 18, 2013

Objectives:  Construct a planisphere 
& learn it's basic use
Announcements: Time right now link
Opening Data: UTC, Time Zones & Codes link
Finish your planisphere
Here's how it works...
Using a planisphere  link

Tues., Sept. 17, 2013

Objectives:  Construct a planisphere 
& learn it's basic use
Announcements: None
Opening Data: Astronomy Picture of the Daylink
Moon Factslink
Construct your own planisphere link1 link2
Copy this diagram into your journal link
Using a planisphere  link