Astronomy

Course description: During this course we will discuss topics of general astronomy and the workings of the known universe. By the end of the class students will have gained knowledge of basic astronomy terms and its history, the constellations, the types of telescopes used, the planets and our solar system, the birth and evolution of stars, galaxies, and topics in cosmology. This class is a basic algebra-based astronomy class.

This course is suitable for students in grades 7-10.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Astronomy (terms and history)
• The night sky (includes constellations)
• Types of telescopes (reflectors vs refractors)
• Phases of the Moon
• Earth and Moon interactions
• The planets (Terrestrial vs Jovian vs small solar system bodies)
• How are solar systems made?
• The birth and evolution of stars (including the H-R diagram)
• Nebulas and the interstellar medium
• Hubble’s tuning fork
• Clusters and Superclusters
• Cosmology (including dark energy, dark matter, and the origins of the universe)

Real time instruction, weekly assignment, 18 sessions (1.5hr) in regular semesters and 16 sessions (1.7hr) in summer ， 3-5 students per class

Registration and Refund Guidelines

• A non-refundable registration fee $50 will be charged to reserve the spot.
• Class may be cancelled if no more than five students registered in each class.
• The full tuition must be paid off before the class begins.
• Refund must be requested immediately after the first class on the same day.
• Registration fee and tuition for the first class won’t be refunded.
• No refund will be granted after the first day of the class.
• If the class is cancelled by STEM Academy, full tuition plus registration will be refunded.