Learning Outcomes

Unit 1: Intro to Radio Astronomy

Fundamental Understanding:

• Students will learn about the history of PARI & Smiley.
• Students will develop an understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Students will be introduced to Radio Astronomy basics

Unit 2: Smiley Basics

Fundamental Understanding:

• Students will learn how a radio telescope functions. (PARI Pod 2.1)
• Students will learn specifications of Smiley. (PARI Pod 2.1)
• Students will practice accessing smiley on-line. (PARI Pod 2.2)
• Students will acquire the skills needed to control Smiley. (PARI Pod 2.3)
• Students will develop an understanding of the means of targeting smiley. (PARI Pod 2.3)
• Students will practice controlling Smiley. (PARI Pod 2.3)
• Students will learn how to conduct spectrum, continuum scans, and mapping scans (PARI Pod 2.5-2.7)
• Students will conduct data analysis collected (PARIPod 2.8)

Unit 3 Labs 1, 2, & 3

Fundamental Understanding

• Students will become more proficient in using Smiley.
• Students will become more knowledgeable of the spectrum scan.
• Students will interpret the data collected.
• Students will compare and contrast data collected.

State Standards:

NCSCoS: High School Curriculum:

Earth and Environmental Science

• 1.01 Identify questions and problems in the earth and environmental sciences that can be answered through scientific investigations.
• 1.02 Design and conduct scientific investigations to answer questions related to earth and environmental science.
• 6.04: Assess the spectra generated by stars and our sun as
• Indicators of motion and composition (the Doppler Effect)
• 6.05: Evaluate astronomers’ use of various technologies to extend their senses:
  • Optical telescopes
  • Cameras
  • Radio Telescopes
  • Spectroscope

National Science Standards

Below are National Science Standards, which project supports. (Standards can be viewed online at http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=4962)

Unifying Concepts And Processes

• Systems, order, and Organization
• Evidence, models, and explanation
• Change, constancy, and measurement
• Evolution and equilibrium
• Form and function

Science As Inquiry

• Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
• Understandings about scientific inquiry

Physical Science

• Structure of atoms
• Structure and Properties of matter
• Chemical reactions
• Motions and forces

Earth and Space Science

• Energy in the Earth System
• Geochemical cycles
• Origin and evolution of the earth system
• Origin and evolution of the universe

Science and Technology

• Abilities of technological design
• Understandings about science and technology

Physical Science

• Structure of atoms
• Structure and Properties of matter
• Chemical reactions
• Motions and forces
• Conservation of energy and increase in disorder
• Interactions of energy and matter