Patrick Stakem

Introducing Astronomy in the Pre-K to-12 STEM Curricula, A Resource Guide for Educators Patrick Stakem

This book covers the topic of Astronomy in the context of STEM Education. Astronomy is the branch of Science that deals with other objects in the Universe. At night, we can see other stars, sometimes planets, and, if we are lucky, comets. Astronomy dates back far in the history of mankind, starting with observations of the sky, and the development of theories of what it all meant, and how it all worked. The initial assumption was that the Earth was the center of the Universe, and everything traveled around it. But, by observations, some "heavenly bodies" wander about in the sky, and increasingly complex theories were developed to address this. Later, when the Earth was dethroned as the center of the universe, it was understood that other planets and the Earth were in orbit around the Sun. And, the Sun was just another star, like those that could be seen in the night sky. Some suggested projects are included to get student interest going.