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For 6th-8th Grades:
In Intro to Astrophysics, students will learn about the origins of the universe and the physics of the cosmos. We will begin with structures like planets, stars and galaxies, and then explore tools that scientists use to understand how the universe works. Once we have grasped the basics, we can begin to consider astrophysical topics like relativity, dark matter and black holes! We will also investigate the wide range of careers in space, from astronauts to on-the-ground technical experts and researchers.
In response to the success of our high school astrophysics course, Education Unlimited is proud to introduce Intro to Astrophysics for our rising 6th to 8th graders!
This course will be interactive and often collaborative, as scientists rarely uncover the mysteries of the universe alone! As the physics of light is fundamental to astronomy, we will explore optics and spectroscopy through hands-on explorations and virtual labs. Fundamental rocketry and aerospace concepts will be highlighted as we discuss how humans have ventured beyond Earth. Students will make astronomical observations and learn how they can contribute to real-world research while still in middle school!
For 9th-11th Grades:
Beginning from the cosmic chaos, astrophysics will delineate the foundation goals of the field by tracing the evolution of the universe from its origins through to modern times and probing into its future fate.
Students will delve into the depths of the cosmos to push their understanding to the very frontier of the unknown, and perchance beyond that! Students embarking on this adventure will be introduced to the wave-particle duality of light, radiation, and stellar evolution, illuminating their curiosities in the process. They will then explore advanced topics in cosmology such as supermassive black holes, spacetime fabric, and mapping the large-scale structure of the cosmos. Studies will culminate with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity.
The curriculum is supported by computational simulations of dark matter and galactic formation, physical demonstration, student-led discussions, and thought experiments. Observational astronomy will be interlaced into the course using solar and night sky observational telescopes, focusing on techniques for identifying the constellations and naked-eye astronomy. Students will pursue their final research in a self-selected specification of interest. Projects vary but are all relevant to modern professional research and exploration, such as observational astrophysics, astroparticle physics, or physical cosmology. Their final research projects will incorporate real data from working telescopes and research laboratories.
