Learn the key concepts needed for ks3
astronomy
39
Lessons
£12.50
price/lesson
KS3
Skill Level
Astronomy
subject
40 mins
lesson length
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Overview
For many children astronomy is just something to read about in a book and too often it is a hobby not pursued to the full. At Priority Learning we want to inspire young budding astronomers and help guide their learning from popular science books to the academic study of the planets, stars, galaxies and universe. I was a keen astronomer growing up and was lucky enough to attend regular astronomy lectures and complete an astronomy GCSE. We do also have a course in the astronomy GCSE, this KS3 course is a great introduction to the formal study of astronomy as we look into topics often not discussed in pop-science books. As well as some of the history of astronomy and the maths and methods the first astronomers used in their calculations.
Lesson times: Thursdays 1pm.
Completing this course will help you/your child:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the key concepts in astronomy and open up a wider, more advanced level of reading for them.
- Learn how the first astronomers calculated the size of the earth, how fast the earth spins and much more.
- Learn to apply maths to famous astronomy problems.
- Learn to write like an astronomer.
Who is the course for?
Any children aged 10-14 with a passion for astronomy. Note: some KS3 maths skills are required but are taught as part of the course. A prior knowlege of primary school level maths is assumed.
You can sign up here but please note the membership only covers 1 child so if you need to add more than 1 child to the course please contact us.
Learning Path
We start off our astronomy course with a journey through the solar system. We look at what the planets and moons are made of, their atmospheres, their orbits and much much more!
12 lessons.
In the second term we learn about the sun and its internal divisions, how stars are born and what happens when they die. We also look at neutron stars and black holes in this part of the course.
12 lessons
In the third term we introduce observational astronomy. Here we learn about how the ancient astronomers made remarkably accurate calculations of the circumference of the earth, the rotational speed of the earth and much more. By the end of this term the students will have the skills to replicate these expierments and try them for themselves. The course will conclude with an experiment to estimate the mass of the earth using nothing but a stick, 6 stones and a watering can! The students last year correctly found the mass of the earth to 1 significant figure!
Mathematical skills: using formula, fractions, calculating and measuring angles.
11 lessons