R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Astronomy 1

Description

R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey Astronomy 1 includes scientific modeling, the solar system, space, physics of light, space travel, cosmology, the universe, the Big Bang, and gravity. Students study each planet separately as they travel through the solar system with Bunny and Dusty, the adorable space-dust bunnies. Short lessons are followed by hands-on labs and activities. Space travel and exploration is a focus of the course.

Product Description of RSO Astronomy 1

Grade level:  1st through 4th (target grade is 2nd) Pages:  248 Materials:  For the most part, all lab materials  are  household items. Please refer to the Supplies tab for items that are not commonly found in households. Written by  RSO Chemistry 1  author  Blair Lee. Astronomy 1 includes many elements not found in elementary school courses; most notably space exploration and scientific modeling activities have been added. This innovative course is being offered to those yearning for a more nuanced Astronomy course with scientific modeling woven throughout. RSO Astronomy 1 can be used as a stand-alone 18 week course, or paired with Earth & Environment 1  for a year+ of science.

RSO Astronomy 1 Course Description

You will find R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey (RSO) to be unlike any other science curricula available.  Most notably, it is secular. Only scientific inquiry and theory based on empirical and measurable evidence are understood to be valid and standard science in all RSO courses. Also, RSO courses are written specifically for home and small group use. Packed full of serious science and loads of fun, RSO is an incremental program that gently builds on itself and incorporates mathematics, scientific method, and science terminology. Created with the science novice in mind, you don’t need any science background to teach RSO.

In  RSO Astronomy 1, the major topics include scientific modeling, solar system, space, physics of light, space travel, cosmology, the universe, and gravity. Students study each planet separately as they travel through the solar system with Bunny and Dusty, the adorable space-dust bunnies. Short lessons are followed by several hands-on labs and activities including mixing and separating light waves, learning why the sky is blue, modeling the Earth/moon/sun system, creating a Big Bang timeline, and making a comet. Space travel and exploration is a highlight of the course. Students make models of several spacecrafts, create a a travel map of the solar system, and launch a soda bottle rocket.  

The following is a list of topics your child will learn while completing  Astronomy  1. Each topic includes one to five lessons complete with lesson story, labs, reading, and other activities. Remember your child will also be having a whole lot of fun. Also included in this scope are laughing, playing, digging, exploring, reading, singing, and begging for more science!

More from author Blair Lee. There are dozens of articles about teaching & learning science on the SEA Homeschoolers blog.

RSO Astronomy Level 1

Universe and Cosmology

• Light-year
• Space exploration
• Scientific modeling
• Enormity and size of the universe
• Big Bang model and theory
• Stargazing
• Properties of light
• Gravity

Our Solar System

• Eight planets studied individually
• Definition of planet
• Sun
• Planet and moon rotation and revolution
• Space exploration
• Spacecrafts: probes and rockets
• Asteroid belt
• Kuiper belt
• Oort cloud
• Planet characteristics and unique properties

Homeward Bound

• Earth/moon/sun system
• Goldilocks zone
• Seasons on Earth
• Unique properties of Earth
• Earth’s rotation, tilt, and revolution
• Moon phases