Special Classes in Astronomy and ScienceAbove is a picture taken in Rocco Ferrario's classroom at Harvest Middle School in Napa, California where students learned about comets, asteroids, and meteors. The demonstration shown above was to demonstrate how a comets tail glows and was done with a fluorescent light held by students over a Tesla Coil within a rarefied atmosphere. The energy generated was a plasma field which caused the gas within the light to glow.
Several classes and courses have been announced. There are special 1 to 2 hour classes on astronomy and science subjects that are free to schools and non-profit organizations. Separate courses have been developed for the following subjects: How to Setup and Use a Telescope, Astronomy for Students, and Astronomy for Teachers. Courses on Ionizing Radiation and Protection and Observational Astronomy are pending and will be posted at a later date.
Location, dates for courses will be determined. Course content and course syllabus for students and teachers is identified at the end of classes for schools and non-profit organizations.
Setting up and using a telescope (private lessons)
Purchasing a telescope requires some thought concerning what you intend to do
with the telescope. I can assist you in selecting the right telescope, spotting
scope, or binoculars of your choice.
Assistance may be needed to learn how to setup a telescope and how to use it.
There is no cost for showing you how to set up and use the telescope. Should the
telescope come with a computerized handheld device, instructions will be given
on how to use the hand control for seting up the time zone, location, and other
functions.
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Programs for schools and non-profit corporations have been developed. Programs for schools are developed primarily for 8th to 12th grade students that address the State of California Curriculum Requirements. Classes for 3rd grade to 7th grade students will be taylored to subjects at the request of the teacher.
Classes addressing radiation and radioactive material are designed for students in 11th grade and above.
Classroom demonstrations where ionizing radiation is given off by natural occurring events will be demonstrated with the use of radiation detection and special counting equipment. In accordance with the Federal Code of Regulations, Title 10CFR20, no one under the age of 18 years is permitted to receive whole body radiation exposure from man-made radioactive source material.
Special courses for teachers and students (Summer session
only) are also listed and may be given at the Upper Napa Valley College Campus in Saint Helena. Dates for such classes will be announced in the Summer Session Catalog. The cost for these courses will be determined by the college.
The following is a list of separate classes for middle schools, high schools and local colleges. Classes are to be requested by teachers in advance (preferably 2 to 3 months.) There is no cost for these classes as they are part of the JPL/NASA Outreach Program.
1. The Sun (approx. 1 to 2 hours)
Size and spectral classification.
Temperature
How the Sun gives off energy
Sun Spots
Solar Prominences
Solar Flares
Coronal Mass Ejection
The danger to Astronauts
Solar Eclipses
When and how the Sun will die
Making a Solar Projection
Observing the Sun (an additional hour per class using a solar telescope.)
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2. The Stars (approx. 1 to 2 hours)
How a star forms
Spectral Classification (How to remember)
Types of Stars (demonstration with students)
Nova and Super Nova (demonstration)
The Red Giant (demonstration)
The Ultimate Death of a Massive Star
The Black Hole
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3. The Planets (1 to 2 hours)
Remembering the planets in order
Distance from the Sun
Some planets have moons
Asteroids and Planetoids
Earth and the Seasons (demonstration)
Motion of the Earths orbit
Dwarf Planets (Pluto and Ceres) known as Plutoids
Extra-solar planets around other stars
The End of the Earth
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4. The Moon ( 1 hour class)
How the Moon was formed
The craters and lunar seas
Mountains, ridges, valleys
Water ice on the Moon?
The Lunar Eclipse (demonstration)
The first man on the Moon.
Observing the Moon through a telescope
How shadows form on the Moon
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5. Other Moons and Satellites (1 to 2 hours)
Where are the other moons?
How many moons does each planet have?
Could moons support life?
Jupiter's moons:
Io, Callisto, Europa, Ganymede
Saturn - Titan and Enceladus
Neptune - Trition
The Dwarf Planet Pluto has moons?
Temperatures on the moons.
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6 Distances (planets/stars/universe) (1 ato 2 hours)
Planets (demonstration using Bodes Law)
Determining the Astronomical Units (a.u.)
Light Year
Parsecs
Kilometers/sec/mega parsec
Motion of the planets, stars, and the universe
Demonstration of distances
Moon from Earth
Planets
Stars
The Universe and Galaxies
Size and shape
Parallel Universes??
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7. Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (1 hour)
What are Asteroids?
Where are Asteroids found?
The Asteroid Belt
The Keiper Belt
What is a Comet?
The Ort Cloud
How comets form tails (demonstration)
Craters formed by comets and asteroids
Meteor Showers and how to observe them
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8. Nebula and Star Clusters (1 hour)
How nebula form
Types of nebula
Planetary
Gaseous
Diffuse
Types of Star Clusters
Open
Globular (closed)
Identification (Messier Objects)
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9. The Death of a Star (1 hour)
How will a star die?
Spectral Classification
Nova
Super Nova
The Red Giant
White Dwarfs
Brown Dwarfs
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10. Ionizing Radiation (1 to 2 hours)
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
The discovery of Radiation Emission
Types of Ionizing Radiation
Alpha Particles
Beta Particles
Gamma Rays
X-rays
Short and Long Wave Radiation
Radiation and Radioactive Material
Detecting the presents of radiation
Background Radiation
Natural occuring radiation and radioactive elements
Man-made sources of radioactive material
Biological Hazards:
The effects of radiation
Dirty Bomb vs Nuclear Explosion
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11. Units of Measure (1 to 2 hours)
Ionizing radiation vs. radioactive material
Rad/hr and Rem/hr
Conversion Factors
Sieverts (Sv)
Gray (Gy)
Radioactive Material
Curie vs. cpm/dpm
Surface
Airborne
Waterborne
Radiation Survey Procedures
Radioactive Contamination Survey Procedures
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12. Transmutation/Half-life (1 to 2 hours)
Radioactive Atoms
Radioisotopes (Nuclides)
Hydrogen, Deuterium, Tritium
Ra 226. Rn 222
Uranium 238
Carbon 14
Strontium 89, 90
Iodine 131
Cesium 131, 137
Cobalt 60
Am 241
Plutonium
Biological Hazards
External and Internal Exposures
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13. Regulatory Agencies (1 to 2 Hours)
Former AEC
International Committee on Rad Protection
Dept. of Energy
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
FEMA (Fed Emergency Management Agency)
OSHA
Calif OSHA
NIOSH
Regulations
Code of Federal Regulations
10CFR20
10CFR49
State Regulations
Cal OSHA
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15. Radiological Control Protection Measures
(1 to 4 hours)
Radioactive Contamination
Isolation and Posting
Protective Clothing
Respiratory Protection
` Enclosures
Tents and glove bags
Negative air pressure (HEPA)
Disposal Procedures
Decontamination Procedures
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12. The Search for Life in Extreme Environments
(1 to 2 hours)
What is Astrobiology?
Life and Water.
Life in Exteme Environments
"Extreme" vs "Normal"
Life on Mars?
An Ocean on Europa?
Titan's thick atmosphere
Impact of extremophiles
Activity for students (handouts for teachers)
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SPECIAL COURSES FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
To be announced in 2010 are pending
ASTRONOMY FOR STUDENTS
COURSE OBJECTIVE:
Provides hands-on experience for students interested in learning astro-
nomy and using telescopes to view the Moon, planets, stars, and other
celestial objects.a The course is intended to enhance the learners
awareness in understanding the universe around us and promote an
interest in a field of astronomy and science
COURSE CONTENT
Introduction
Note: Parents will be needed to transport students to Chabot Space and MAXIMUM NUMBER PER CLASS: 10
Science Center in Oakland, California on the last day of class.
Three separate courses are designed for different grade levels:
3rd to 5th grade**, 6th to 8th Grade**, 9th to 12th Grade
(** Parents are welcomed to attend all sesssion for 3rd through 8th Grade.)
Maximum number of students per class: 10
Cost per student: To be determind by college.
Note: Courses are held during summer break only.
Location: Upper Napa Valley College Campus, St. Helena, CA (pending)
Date: To be announced
Time: 7PM to 9PM MWF
Length: 5 to 6 days
Cost includes entrance to Chabot Space and Science Center (Planetarium
and observatories, handouts, a book on Astronomy, and a star locator.
FYI: This course was taught by Mr. DeLacy from 1986 to 1992 in the Napa
College for Kids Program. It was well received and has been recommended
by teachers and parents who have attended the courses in the past.
Participation and Demonstrations
Students participate in a variety of activities and demonstrations inside the
classroom. Learning is through visual, hearing, and hands-on participation
during demonstrations.
Students may work independently. Most activities and demonstrations re-
quire two or more students to work in team groups to accomplish tasks with
the teacher(s) and assisting adults providing guidance and input as nece-
ssary to accomplish the assignment or project.
Equipment, material, videos, overhead transparencies utilizing an overhead
projector, projector for Power Point Presentations, posters, and related
astronomy equipment and models are provided by the college and teacher.
All classroom demonstrations will include models and equipment. Students
will be given models that can be assembled at home. Such models
are made from cardboard cutouts or other materials provided. Models may be
of a variety of telescopes, space crafts such as orbital vehicles, exploratory
vehicles (i.e., Mars Rovers, Moon Landers, etc.)
Solar Observation sessions when included requires strict adult supervison.
Students are never to look directly at the Sun without the aid of special
solar observing glasses. The teacher will provide a special Solar Observing
telescope that blocks out all harmful visible light. This telescope allows
viewing of Sun Spots, Solar Flares, and Solar Prominences when visible.
Each student will be allowed approximately one minute to observe such
features.
Evening Star Gazing Sessions, when included, require subdued lighting in
areas where no visible white light is present. White light interferes with
dark adaptation of night vision. Student should bring or be provided with
flashlights that have red lenses or green lenses. Mr. DeLacy will provide
red cellophane/rubber bands that can be fitted over the lense of flashlights.
Also, Mr. DeLacy will be using a laser light that emits a green beam that will
be used to point out various stars and constellations in the night sky.
No student should have in his or her possesion a laser light. Laser lights
are dangerous and can cause serious eye injury or loss of eye sight if in-
properly used. Students are reminded that laser lights are not to be pointed
in the eyes of a student or at air craft flying overhead. Doing so is a Felony.
Cloud formations may result in postponement of observing sessions.
Students need to be reminded to dress warm and bring a folding chair during
observing sessions at locations other than on campus. When observing
meteor showers, no visual aids are necessary.
Classroom demonstrations where ionizing radiation is given off by natural
occurring radiation or natural occurring radioactive material will be demon-
strated with the use of radiation detection instruments. Students will not be
exposed to manmade radioactive material.
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ASTRONOMY FOR TEACHERS
COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to enhance a teacher's awareness in the field
of Astronomy. It provides a wealth of information and detail that will
enable the teacher to develop a lesson plan with realistic and hands-on
demonstrations that will enhance student awareness in understand-
ing the universe around us.
COURSE SYLLABUS
Includes all facets of astronomy to assist teachers in developing lesson
plans.
Demonstrations and hands-on participation using a variety of techniques
that will encourage student participation. Includes handouts, book, star
locator.
Demonstrations such as:
Length of Course/Time
3 weeks, Tues/Thurs from 7PM to 10PM
Location/Date: To be announced
Cost: To be determined by college.
Attention: Teachers interested in attending this course are to contact
Mr. DeLacy by email: cliffdelacy@thestarguide.com
