This is Mr. Newland’s astronomy page. These pages are here to help not only Bellaire High School astronomy students but also those looking for information & resources about amateur astronomy in the Houston area and beyond. You can also find a variety of blog posts and news items related to current trends in astronomy and events in the region. There are often class star parties and observing events which are open to the public at large so check back often. Events are usually held at Bellaire High School near the ROTC buildings on the athletic fields.
Course Description
Astronomy at Bellaire High School is a year-long lab-based course. Students are expected to take an active role during class time. Instead of the traditional lecture format, students will participate in lecture-tutorials, peer-instruction, and other learner-centered models during both class and lab time. Besides classroom work, students will be complete an observational component as well as a research paper. Likely the research and the observation elements will compliment one another. Astronomy teachers can find a complete curriculum guide based on this course.
Communication
- Google Group – used for course communications via email
- Course Facebook Group – an additional line of communication
- Moodle Server – used for occasional online classwork
- Calendar – events, deadlines and course pacing
Course Outline (Syllabus)
The course is broken down by semester into solar system astronomy in the Fall and stellar and galactic astronomy in the Spring. Many topics are covered in increasing depth as the year goes on. There is heavy emphasis on comparative planetology in the course as well as in depth study of human and robotic exploration of space. Although every effort is made to teach astrophysical topics at an appropriate level some advanced material is inevitable. This course is not a physics course but there will be some crazy physics and math from time to time. Lecture notes are kept online for review and make-up work purposes. Students are required to bring their lab notebooks, a pencil and pen to class everyday!
Grading
- Reading Quizzes: 5 pts
- ConcepTests: 5 pts
- Lecture-Tutorials: 10 pts
- In-class labs: 10 – 20 pts
- Projects: 10 – 50 pts
- Lab Notebook: 10-50 pts.
- Quizzes: 10 pts
- Tests: 100 pts
- Observation Log: 200 pts (100 per semester)
- Research Paper: 200 pts (as needed)