Scott MillerSam Houston State University

Reason for Doing SoIntroduce InquiryEvoke CuriosityFill 9 extra class days!

ClassPHY 133 – Solar System Astronomy

Introduction to AstronomySolar System basics

Possible TopicsCelestial MotionsLunar PhasesGeocentric/Heliocentric Model of our Solar

SystemLight (?)Scale ModelsComparative PlanetologyDefinition of a PlanetSunspots

Celestial MotionsIntro: “Lecture” on archeoastronomy

Show students various sites/place into context

Ask students to determine why stones, etc. are positioned in various places (in class? homework?)

Build your own StonehengeLeads into lessons on celestial motions

Lunar PhasesIntro: Ask students to draw the Moon

Ask students when to observe the MoonShow complete set of phasesGive students a ball (& light source) and

guide them in figuring out how to create them

Guide students in figuring out when to observe them

Guide students in figuring out why we see full Moon – lead to eclipses

AssessmentPre-test – participation

HomeworkConcepTest

AssignmentsLecture TutorialsClicker QuestionsMuddiest Point

Quizzes/Exams