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Synopsis:

Looking into TimeThe science of optics teaches us how to make "bigger eyes", and if you want to look at something very far away, or very faint, you're going to need a really huge eye--such as the one used at Kitt Peak by astronomers studying distant galaxies.
Running time 3:29 minutes.

Lesson Guides:

It's a Big Universe
Subject: Mathematics
Topics: Algebra--Powers, Roots and Scientific Notation
Grades: 6 - 9
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can do arithmetic operations with numbers that are expressed in scientific notation

Download Teacher Guide: It's a Big Universe (PDF)

Download Student Lesson: It's a Big Universe (PDF)

Mirror Curvature
Subject: Mathematics
Topics: Algebra, Quadratic Functions
Grades: 6 - 9
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can recognize a parabolic shape
- Can relate the coefficients of a quadratic function to their influence on the shape and position of the parabolic graph of that function
- Can determine the equation of a quadratic function that closely matches a set of points

Download Teacher Guide: Mirror Curvature (PDF)

Download Student Lesson: Mirror Curvature (PDF)

Telescope #2
Subject: Mathematics
Topics: Algebra--Quadratic Equations and Functions
Grades: 8 - 12
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can graph a quadratic function
- Can relate the coefficients of a quadratic function to their influence on the shape and position of the parabolic graph of that function

Download Teacher Guide: Telescope #2 (PDF)

Download Student Lesson: Telescope #2 (PDF)

Kitchen Paraboloids
Subject: Mathematics
Topics: Algebra, Quadratic Equations and Functions
Grades: 9 - 12
Concepts:
- Parabola
Knowledge and Skills:
- Can recognize a parabolic shape
- Can determine the equation of a quadratic function that closely matches a set of points

Download Teacher Guide: Kitchen Paraboloids (PDF)

Download Student Lesson: Kitchen Paraboloids (PDF)

Images:

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Astronomy Telescopes 1Astronomy Telescopes 2

Astronomy Telescopes 3Astronomy Telescopes 4

Astronomy Telescopes 5Astronomy Telescopes 6

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