Astronomy Unit Standards
Demonstrate knowledge of our solar system
(US 20622) - 4 credits, Level 1
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of the Sun as our star, the planets, and other bodies in our solar system.
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the Sun as our star.
Performance criteria
1.1 Salient characteristics of the Sun are identified.
Range: Salient characteristics include but are not limited to - size,
distance from Earth, and source of energy, composition.
1.2 The effects of the Sun on Earth are identified.
Range: Effects may be on the Earth itself and/or on its inhabitants.
Evidence of two benefits and of two drawbacks is required.
1.3 The stage of the Sun in the life cycle of a star is identified,
and implications of that stage for life on Earth are described.
1.4 At least two traditional narratives involving the Sun are recounted.
Range: Traditional narratives may include but are not limited to -
myths, legends, histories, cultural stories, religious stories, folk
tales.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the planets.
Performance criteria
2.1 Planets are named in order according to distance from the Sun.
Range: All planets, including Earth.
2.2 Salient characteristics of each planet are identified.
Range: Salient characteristics include but are not limited to - size,
composition, position in relation to Earth and the Sun, date of discovery.
All planets including Earth (except for date of discovery) are included.
2.3 Traditional narratives involving planets are recounted.
Range: Traditional narratives may include but are not limited to -
myths, legends, histories, cultural stories, religious stories, and
folk tales. Evidence of one narrative for each of at least six planets.
Element
3
Demonstrate knowledge of other bodies in our solar system.
Range: Comets, asteroids, meteorites.
Performance criteria
3.1 Other bodies are defined to differentiate them from each other
and from planets.
3.2 Salient characteristics of the each type of body are identified.
Range: Salient characteristics include but are not limited to - size,
composition, position in relation to Earth and the Sun, date of discovery.
3.3 Traditional narratives involving each type of body are recounted.
Range: Traditional narratives may include but are not limited to -
myths, legends, histories, cultural stories, religious stories, and
folk tales. Evidence of at least one narrative for each type of body
is required.
Demonstrate knowledge of the Milky Way, our galaxy
(US 20623) - 4 credits, Level 1
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of the structure and location of the Milky Way, and of the place of our solar system in the Milky Way.
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and location of the Milky Way.
Performance criteria
1.1 The location of the Milky Way within the cosmos is identified.
1.2 The structure of the Milky Way is identified.
Range: Structure - shape, size, rotation, centre, components;
Components - stars, gas, dust, globular clusters.
1.3 Stars are described in terms of life cycles, observation techniques,
extra-solar planets, exobiology, and variable stars.
1.4 The age of the Milky Way is identified according to currently accepted
scientific theories.
1.5 The life cycle of the Milky Way is identified according to currently
accepted scientific theories.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of the place of our solar system in the Milky
Way.
Performance criteria
2.1 Our position in the Milky Way is identified in relation to the
rest of the galaxy.
2.2 Our view of the Milky Way at night is related to our position.
Demonstrate knowledge of space exploration
(US 20621) - 4 credits, Level 1
People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of scientific space missions, a space telescope, the international space station, and at least two zero gravity experiments.
Element 1
Demonstrate knowledge of scientific space missions.
Range: Manned, unmanned; evidence of one of each is required.
Performance
criteria
1.1 Each mission’s objectives are identified.
1.2 Salient details of each mission are identified.
Range: Salient details include but are not limited to - destination,
dates.
1.3 Each mission’s achievements are identified.
Range: Achievements may include but are not limited to - objective(s)
met, downstream benefits. Achievements may be but are not limited to
- astronomical, scientific, and technological.
Element 2
Demonstrate knowledge of a space telescope.
Range: A space telescope is one not sited on Earth, for example Hubble
Space Telescope, James Webb Telescope.
Performance criteria
2.1 The telescope’s purposes are identified.
2.2 Salient details of the telescope are identified.
Range: Salient details include but are not limited to - position, dates.
2.3 The telescope’s achievements are identified.
Range: Achievements may be but are not limited to - astronomical, scientific,
and technological.
Element 3
Demonstrate knowledge of the international space station
Performance criteria
3.1 Station’s objectives are identified.
3.2 Salient details of the station are identified.
Range: Salient details include but are not limited to - position, dates.
3.3 Station’s achievements are identified.
Range: Achievements may be but are not limited to - astronomical, scientific,
and technological.
Element 4
Demonstrate knowledge of at least two zero gravity experiments.
Performance criteria
4.1 Each experiment’s objectives are identified.
4.2 Salient details of each experiment are identified.
Range: Salient details include but are not limited to - dates, process,
duration, people involved.
4.4 Each experiment’s achievements are identified.
Range: Achievements may include but are not limited to - objectives
met, downstream benefits. Achievements may be but are not limited to
- astronomical, scientific, and technological.
For the current official version of the standards consult the New Zealand Qualifications Authority www.nzqa.govt.nz. Notes on the interpretation of these standards are given in the Teachers' Guide.
At the launch of the Astronomy Aotearoa resources: Jenny Brash (Mayor of
Porirua City), Richard Bentley (Carter Observatory chairperson), Robert
Shaw, Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Julia Davidson (Principal, Aotea College),
listen to Lewis Moeau, who spoke at the book launch on behalf of the
Minister of Maori Affairs.
