Blog 1

1. Fly Me to the Moon: A Course in Lunar Science and NASA exploratory missions to the Moon renewed my interest in Astronomy and Earth Science. I grew up in an era when space exploration was valued, exciting, and newsworthy. I remember exactly where I was when Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon in July of 1969. It still amazes me. It was Kennedy's goal, and it is such a shame he did not live to see this day.



























2.South Carolina Academic Standards include:

Scientific Inquiry as the initial standard for all grades K -8, as well as the high school course Earth Science.
Standard 1-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the features of the sky and the patterns of the sun and moon.
Standard 4-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the properties, movements,and locations of objects in the solar system.
Standard 5-3: The student will demonstrate an understanding of features, processes, and changes in Earth's land and oceans.Standard 7-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the classifications and properties of matter and the changes that matter undergoes.
Standard 8-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics,structure, and predictable motions of celestial bodies.
Standard ES-2: Students will demonstrate an understanding of the structure and properties of the universe.

3.Grade 1: Students learn the features of the Sun and Moon and changes in the Moon's appearance over time.
Grade 4: Students learn about the Moon in the context of Astronomy. They identify the phases of the Moon and its effect on tides of the oceans. They also learn the purpose of telescopes to look at the Moon.
Grade 5: Further study of tides takes place, with increased scientific explanation.
Grade 7: Students study matter and its physical properties.
Grade 8: Students study characteristics, orbits, phases, eclipses, and tides. An in-depth study of Astronomy enables students to grasp more complex information about the Moon.
Earth Science: High School students who elect to take this course delve further into the formation of the Moon and identify properties and features that distinguish it from other moons in the solar system. They are able to explain how technology and computer modeling have increased our understanding of the Moon.

From South Carolina State Department of Education Science Support Documents Grade 8

Design a controlled scientific investigation. Determine the effect of an independent variable in an experiment when all other variables are controlled. Every controlled scientific investigation provides information(data). Data includes both scientific observations and inferences.
Identify a testable question
Research information
State the hypothesis
Design and experiment
Conduct the experiment and record data in tables, graphs, or charts
Analyze data to figure out what it means.

A scientific investigation that is conducted accurately: Using appropriate tools safely safely and accurately, Making careful measurements, Using mathematical formulas appropriately, Representing numbers with appropriate units of measurement, Recording data in organized tables, graphs, or charts

Inferences are sometimes needed to help form a valid conclusion. An inference is an explanation of the data that is based on facts, but not necessarily direct observation.

Questions that can help decide what further investigations may be: Can the procedure or product be improved? What would happen if another independent variable were tested? What are you wondering now?

Day, year, phases of the Moon and the efffect of these motions

The moon has a greater effect on Earth's tides than the Sun because it is closer to Earth. The gravitational pull between Earth and it's Moon causes distinct mations between them.

The Moon being closer to the Earth than the Sun(distance) has the greatest pulling effect on tides.
The Sun also pulls on Earth and can combine its force with the Moon causing even higher tides(spring tides) or can be at right angles, pulling against the Moon's pill, causing very little tidal change (neap tides).

Weight can change if an object is located on another object in space, for example the Moon or Mars.

Astronomers use telescopes, satellites, space probes, and spectroscopes to make observations and collect data about objects in the solar system and outside of the solar system. These tools and the associated technology that allow astronomers to analyze and interpret the data help scientists learn about the solar system and the universe.

4. A variety of activites and games, especially the marbles in the flour and flashlight with ball, will create interest and enhance understanding of the Moon, why we went there, and hope to go again. These can be adapted for a variety of grade and knowledge levels. Larger groups with assigned jobs for each student would be effective in Middle School classrooms.

5.Many students, and unfortunately some adults, have misconceptions about the Moon emitting its own light, that it is not up during the day, that Earth's shadow causes Moon phases, and that the Earth protects the Moon from meteorites. There are also links to some religious and belief systems, with Doomsday predictions for 2012.Without overtly contradicting students' religious beliefs, our job as educators is to show them the scientific data that exists, and help them to become scientists.We strive to awaken curiosity and foster a love of research through the use of hands-on modeling, virtual and actual field experiences, examining photographs and videos, and playing games to provide intellectual stimulation. Our goal is to make the students want to learn more and provide them with the tools to do so.

6.I learned, or actually relearned, many properties of the Moon that I had forgotten. Rocks and minerals of the Moon, its formation, comparisons of the Earth and the Moon, and seismic activity on the Moon are a few of the things that interest me and challenge me to learn more. I remembered the large temperature swings, but not the duration of a night on the Moon. Interactive games and use of spectrometers, as well as the previously mentioned activities, will help to dispel myths about the Moon.

7.What are NASA's latest findings about the Moon? The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is releasing new images and maps; the far side of the Moon is shown.Why do South Carolina high school students have to take an elective course to learn in depth about Astronomy? State Standards emphasize courses in the basic sciences: Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. These are the classes for which End of Course Tests are developed and administered, leaving many areas of Science, including a study of Astronomy, to be taken only by a limited number of students.

8.My favorite activity of the weekend was the Projectiles in the Flour, and I believe this will be useful for a variety of group sizes and grade levels.Follow-up can be drawing and labeling what you have seen, then viewing actual photographs of the Moon from the NASA site. A writing activity of comparison and contrast could lead to production of a Powerpoint in which the students would include pictures and videos related to lunar investigation.