Astronomy - Observation - Telescopes II

Beyond the Solar System by Mary Kay Carson

Discussion:
Isaac Newton - improving the telescope
Spectroscopes

Activity:
Split white light using a CD

Astronomy - Observation - Telescopes

The Kingfisher Space Encyclopedia
Beyond the Solar System by Mary Kay Carson

Discussion:
How a telescope works
Galileo and Kepler

Activity:
Build a telescope (see Beyond the Solar System)

Astronomy - Observation - Brief History

Beyond the Solar System by Mary Kay Carson

Discussion:
Early observation - Greek, Arab, Chinese discoveries
Ptolemy and Geocentrism
Copernicus and Heliocentrism

Activity:
Build an astrolabe - note position of stars three nights in a row

Earth Science - Water - States of Water - Properties of Water as a Liquid

A Drop of Water by Walter Wick
Science Experiments: Water by John Farndon
The Science Book of Water by Neil Ardley

Discussion:
What water is
How it behaves
Surface tension, density

Activity:
Various water experiments (see books; student picks activities and there are plenty of interesting ones)

Plants - Experiments

The student will make a poster presenting one of the plant-based experiments undertaken at the beginning of the unit.  The student can choose which experiment to feature.  The poster should include the following sections of the scientific method:

• Question
• Hypothesis
• Prediction
• Testing
• Analysis
• Conclusion

The poster should have at least two drawings or photographs, depending on the experiment chosen, as well as samples taken from the experiment.