Description
“He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.” The verse from Psalm 147 sits at the top of this course’s syllabus, and it sets the tone for the whole year.
Melissa Grande’s live online astronomy class for high school blends project-based work, multimedia, student collaboration, and straight lecture. Students survey celestial bodies and phenomena, learn telescope basics, and follow the history of space travel, then turn toward the present: aerospace current events, the International Space Station, drones and spacecraft, and the careers that exist in astronomy and aerospace right now.
Films and documentaries including Hidden Figures, WALL-E, and Apollo: Missions to the Moon come into the conversation.
Much of the work happens outside class, with the NASA and Star Walk 2 apps in hand and a composition notebook filling up with observations. Mrs. Grande teaches astronomy from a decidedly Christian worldview, treating the discipline as a genuinely useful tool and as part of a bigger design.
It suits students who like hands-on observation and sky charts as much as they like the reading.
Melissa Grande, True North’s STEAM Department Chair, holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Valley Forge and postgraduate work in Environmental Science.
“This class has helped me tremendously on my journey to become an Aerospace engineer, and hopefully an Astronaut in the future.”
— A TNA Student
A look inside this class
Class details
– Teacher: Melissa Grande
– Day and time: Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CST
– Term: full year, 2027-28 school year
– Grades: 10-12
– Credit: 1 Science or Elective credit
– Prerequisite: successful completion of a high school level science and math
– Materials: composition notebook and writing utensils; free NASA app; Star Walk 2 app; OpenStax Astronomy online web book (free student account, no printed edition needed); ability to stream or borrow the assigned films
– Live, small-group class on Zoom
Add Astronomy to the 2027-28 schedule. True North Academy is Cognia-accredited and the transcript credit is recorded for you.
Rosie L. –
Mrs. Cummings is a wonderful teacher and she re-kindled my love for the cosmos. This class is very cool.
TNA Student –
“Thank you for teaching this class. It has helped me tremendously in Civil Air Patrol, especially to pass my Billy Mitchell exam, and on my journey to become an Aerospace engineer and hopefully Astronaut in the future.” – Anonymous
Jude –
“I loved the pace of this class. I was very helpful how you made it easy to submit the science fair in sections, instead of all at once. Thanks for a great year!” – Jude
TNA Student –
“This class helped me have a better appreciation for space and the world we live in.” – Anonymous