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360Science GCSE Astronomy

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

What is covered in GCSE Astronomy?

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Course Content
Unit 1: Planet Earth
The Earth, Days and seasons
Unit 2: The Moon and the Sun
The Moon, The Sun, Eclipses
Unit 3: The Solar System
Planets and asteroids, Meteors and comets
Unit 4: Stars and Galaxies
Constellations, Stars, Galaxies
Unit 5: Observing techniques and space exploration
Observing the Universe, Exploring the Universe

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Unit 1: Planet Earth


The Earth
Earth data and definitions
affect of the Moon
why the sky is blue
affects of the atmosphere on
astronomers
Days and seasons
why we need time zones
solar and sidereal days
shadow sticks and sundials
equation of time

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Unit 2: The Moon and the Sun


The Moon
Moon data and definitions
phases and features
The Sun
dangers of observing the Sun
Sun data and structure
sunspots and the solar wind
Eclipses
different types of eclipses:
lunar, solar (annular, total,
partial)

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Unit 3: The Solar System


Planets and asteroids
data and characteristics of the
nine Solar System planets
satellites and ring systems
movement and positions of the
planets
contributions of astronomers
Meteors and comets
origin, occurrence and features
of meteor showers
origin, and features of short
and long period comets

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Unit 4: Stars and galaxies


Constellations
locate and recognise prominent
constellations
optical double, binary and
circumpolar stars
star trails
Stars
definitions for locating stars
light curves from variable stars
apparent and absolute magnitude
HR diagram and stellar
classification

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Unit 4: Stars and galaxies


Galaxies
our galaxy the Milky Way
nebulae, clusters and quasars
Hubble classification of
galaxies
dark matter, the Doppler
principle and the Big Bang

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

Unit 5: Observing techniques and space


exploration
Observing the Universe
different types of telescopes
location of observatories
photographic techniques
radio, UV, IR and X-ray
astronomy
Exploring the Universe
appearance of different
objects in space
Hubble space telescope
manned and unmanned
missions

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

How is GCSE Astronomy Assessed?

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

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Assessment
Exam paper
75% of final grade
one exam paper with a
combination of short and
extended answer questions
Coursework
25% of final grade
two pieces of work required

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

11

Internal Assessment
It is possible to produce excellent
pieces of work without using
powerful telescopes or
constructing mechanical models.
Observations can be carried out
with the naked eye, and does not
require visits to dark sites across
the country.
The work can be hand written or
word processed.

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

12

Tasks for internal assessment


Students must complete:
one set of astronomical
observations
and either
one piece of graphical or
computational work
or
one piece of constructional work.

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

13

Possible observation tasks


Naked eye observations
observe and draw three
different constellations
use a shadow stick to record
the direction of the Sun
Photographic, binocular and
telescopic observations
observe three different
celestial objects
project the image of the sun
onto a background and observe
sunspots

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

14

Possible observation tasks


Further tasks
use a shadow stick and
clinometer to determine
latitude and longitude
observations of Algol (Beta
Persei)
drawings/photos of eclipse,
transit etc
constellation photography
solar spectrometry

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

15

Example of an observation task


Moon log - observing the Moons phases over a lunar month
record the observations on a table
record the moon rising and setting times
Moon observed

360Science

Date/time

Details

Lunar calendar details

Saturday
18/01/03
22.00 hrs

No Moon is visible due to cloud


cover. This continued all evening.
Should have been a full Moon.

Sunday
19/01/03
22.47 hrs

Viewed facing North West,


Charlton / Greenwich. Gibbous,
waning Moon. Very bright.

Monday
20/01/03
22.40 hrs

Unable to locate Moon, despite


the clear skies.
Should be a Waning Gibbous Moon.
Stars visible.

Full
Moon

Waning
Gibbous

Waning
Gibbous

The student-centred curriculum

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Possible graphical and computational tasks


Graphical
construct a star chart
draw a large chart of the Moon
Computational
write a computer programme
to plot the stars of a main
constellation, and the path of
a planet
use a spreadsheet to simulate
the scaled orbits of four
planets around the Sun

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

17

Possible graphical and computational tasks


Further tasks
use a spreadsheet to plot a
H-R diagram
use a spreadsheet to show
planetary motion through
the zodiac
use PowerPoint to illustrate
an aspect of Astronomy
such as Stellar Evolution

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

18

Example of a graphical and computational


task
Moon map - Draw a large chart of
the Moon
refer to photographic
material to mark on
features and lunar landings
use a Moon map for this or
information from websites
there is no need to include
large amounts of
background material

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

19

Possible constructional tasks


Design, make and test:
a simple telescope
a sundial
a model of an eclipsing binary
star system
a model of the Sun-Earth-Moon
system showing eclipses

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The student-centred curriculum

20

Possible constructional tasks


Further tasks
Construction and use of a:
simple Spectrometer
simple Orrery
simple Moondial

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The student-centred curriculum

21

Example of a constructional task


Sundial - design and make a
sundial
photos should be included
in the coursework to show
the construction process
the sundial needs to be
tested as this is part of the
coursework

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

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Support materials for GCSE Astronomy

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

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Support materials available


The Coursework guide gives further information
on how students can produce A* grade
coursework. It includes exemplar students work
and how it is marked.
The Further support for coursework gives
information on other coursework tasks available
and on the use of robotic telescopes.
A scheme of work has also been independently
produced for GCSE Astronomy, and can be
accessed from the Association for Astronomy
Education (AAE) website or from our website.
Recently the independent produce some
astronomy posters, in partnership with Edexcel.

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

24

Edexcel GCSE Astronomy website


This has more information on
GCSE Astronomy.
It includes:
noticeboard
specification, guidance and
support
questions and answers
useful websites
suggested resources
places to visit
astronomy organisations

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The student-centred curriculum

25

Websites for live data collection


Live images can be obtained
from remote access (robotic)
telescopes.
These allow students to
control where the telescope
points and produce their own
images.
These live images can be used
for internal assessment.
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The student-centred curriculum

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How can GCSE Astronomy fit into the


360Science programme in your centre?

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

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Why learn GCSE Astronomy?


It is a fun and interesting
subject, that motivates and
excites students.
It is suitable for students of all
ages who are interested in
science (GCSE and A-level
students and adult learners).
Astronomy is both an ancient
and a modern science, with
many ongoing missions and
projects.
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The student-centred curriculum

28

The Final Frontier

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

29

The Final Frontier


For further information on GCSE Astronomy:
Edexcel WebPages for GCSE Astronomy
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/astronomy/gcse/1627
For further information on 360Science (including GCSEs in
Science)
Edexcel 360Science microsite
http://360science.edexcel.org.uk/home/

360Science

The student-centred curriculum

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