Astronomy Exercises and Activities
The following exercise documents are available for downloading. You
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Critical Thinking This document will help you to perform observations and evaluate evidence presented in and outside class.
DHMO Exercise This exercise involves determining how to best evaluate, verify, and validate information and evidence found on the Internet and elsewhere. (Not yet available on-line)
Ball Dropping Experiment Do heavy objects fall faster than light objects? You will find out when you perform this exercise
Implications Exercise Develop a cause for a problem and determine the implications of your cause
Measuring Exercise This exercise investigates how measurements are made and potential sources of error.
Properties of Matter Lab Determine the Mass, Volume, and Density of an unknown objects.
Temperature Lab Calibrate a thermometer and measure the temperature of an unknown material.
Age, Size, and Distance Exercise. This exercise explores human conceptions about the age, size, and distance of objects in the universe. (Not yet available on-line)
Challenges of the Day These exercises are used for collaborative investigation during each class session. Students will investigate them individually outside of class and explore their findings in their study groups.
Astronomers. This handout lists instructions and possible topics for individual student class presentations.
Angular Distance Exercise. Students learn how astronomers use angles to measure distances to objects in our galaxy.
Stick in the Ground Experiment This document contains the instructions and data collection sheet for an observational activity that will help you understand the apparent movement of the sun in the sky. You will need a one meter long (or longer) stick, some small identifiable markers, and a way to make linear measurements.
Where is the Moon Experiment This experiment provides instructions and a data collection sheet for one week's worth of of observations of the moon. This activity will require making daily observations of the moon over a four week period. A copy of the data sheet for each week will be required.
Spectrum Treasure Hunt This collaborative group exercise will send students on a quest to find the locations of objects with specific kinds of spectra. You will need to get a diffraction grating card from your instructor for this exercise.
Time Capsule Exercise This group exercise will investigate the problem of assembling a time capsule for the purpose of communicating information about humans and their lives to an alien civilization.
Can Dagmar Three Support Life? This group exercise will examine how chance can impact the way life might develop on an alien world.
Inventing an Alien Life Form Exercise
Photons Escaping from the Sun Exercise
How can I Name a Star for someone? This Internet link will provide information about how stars are named. It will be the basis of one of your class activities.
