Origin Story Fall Semester

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Week 1

Introduction to Big History

  1. Readings
    • Big History: Introduction, pages 1-9
    • Earth Science Textbook, p. 360-363, Chapter 11.5. “Dating with Radioactivity”
  2. Lectures/Documentaries
    • “What Is Big History?” by David Christian. Great Courses Plus. Lecture 1.
    • “How Big, How Far, How Fast”, The Universe, Season 6, Episode 6. Amazon Prime Video
  3. Assignment
    • Answer Chapter Questions 1-5 on p. 8.
    • Also answer these questions below:
      • What is meant by “the long duree”?
      • What is the chronometric revolution?
      • What are the 5 Key Features of Complex Things?
      • What are the 9 Thresholds of Increasing Complexity?
    • Define Key Terms on p. 8
    • Explain in 1-2 paragraphs how radioactive dating works.

Week 2-7

Threshold 1: Big Bang Cosmology and the Origin of the Universe

We begin at the Big Bang. First, we will look at how we discovered the Big Bang and the evidence that it really happened.

  1. Week 2: The Discovery of the Big Bang, from Ptolemy to Newton
  2. First, watch the documentary “Beyond The Big Bang” until 33:30. This is a documentary on YouTube. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJgx_NvJxOs
  3. Complete the readings:
    • Big History, Chapter 1, p. 12-15, Until the heading “Mapping the Universe”
    • Science Matters, Chapter 1, p. 3-25
  4. Assignment
    • Define these 9 key terms. Use more than 1 sentence when necessary:
      • Big bang cosmology
      • Cosmology
      • Helicentrism
      • Newton’s First Law of Motion
      • Newton’s Second Law of Motion
      • Newton’s Third Law of Motion
      • Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
      • Terrestrial gravity
      • Keplar’s Laws of Planetary Motion
    • Begin a detailed timeline for the major scientific discoveries that lead to the Big Bang. Include the names and dates of scientists and describe their major contribution. Include, for this week:
      • Ptolemy
      • Copernicus
      • Kepler
      • Galileo
      • Newton
  5. Week 3: The Discovery of the Big Bang, From Einstein to Present Day
    1. First, watch the documentary “Beyond The Big Bang”, from 33:30 until the end. This is a documentary on YouTube. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJgx_NvJxOs
    1. Complete the readings:
      • Big History, Chapter 1, p. 15 at “Mapping the Universe” until p. 22. Stop at Threshold 2: The Origin of Galaxies and Stars
      • How to Build a Universe, Chapter 1: How We Discovered the Big Bang, p. 10-29
    1. Define these 15 key terms. Use more than 1 sentence when necessary;
      • Parallax
      • Cepheid variables
      • Standard candles
      • Spectroscope
      • Hertzsprung-Russell diagram
      • Inverse-square rule
      • Absorption lines
      • Doppler effect
      • Red-shifted
      • Einstein’s Theory of Special Relativity
      • Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity
      • Einstein’s Cosmological Constant
      • Primeval atom (also called primordial atom)
      • Steady State Theory
      • Cosmic Background Radiation
    1. Complete the detailed timeline you began last week. At its completion this timeline should be able to tell the story of the discovery of the Big Bang. Include the names, dates and major contributions of the following scientists:
      • Einstein
      • Father Georges Lemaitre
      • Edwin Hubble
      • Gamow and Alpher
      • Penzias and Wilson
      • Guth
  6. Week 4: Science and Religion

A major theme in the history of science is the conflicts that arise with the Church. This week we are going to look at this “conflict” in more detail.

  1. Monday: Read our own religious tradition’s Origin Story, found in Genesis 1:1-2:3. Read Revelation 1:8, Revelation 22:12-14 and Revelation 21:5-7.
  2. Tuesday: Research independently the Galileo affair. Here are some links to start:

Was the Galileo affair truly as simple as “Heliocentrism went against scripture and so Galileo was condemned?” Write a brief summary of what happened after you have read your sources.

  • Wednesday: The Catholic Church has a long history of both members of the clergy and lay public who have made significant contributions to science. You will see this as you continue your science studies. Read through these lists linked below. Pick out 5 lay people and 5 clergy members who you feel have made significant contributions. Write down their names, dates and contributions.
  • Thursday and Friday as needed. Essay due MONDAY.
    • Re-watch Beyond the Big Bang, only from minute 44:30-44:40.
    • Read The Language of God by Frances S. Collins, Introduction, p. 1-7.
    • Consider the quote by Cardinal Baronius invoked by Galileo: “The Bible tells us how to go to Heaven, not how the Heavens go.”
    • Write a 1-2 page essay on this topic. In what ways are science and religion the same and in what ways are they different? What questions do they each attempt to answer? What truths are they each searching for? Can science address religion and in the same way can religion address science? Why or why not?
  • Week 5-6: Big Bang Theory
    • Read:
      • “How to Build a Universe”, Chapter 2: A Universe is Born
      • Big History, Chapter 1, p. 19-22. Start at “The Origin of Everything according to Big Bang Cosmology”. Stop at Threshold 2.
      • Science Matters: Chapter 11: The Cosmos, p. 182-193
      • “The Language of God”, Chapter 3: The Origins of the Universe.
    • Assignment:
      • This week you will begin the main timeline in your Science Notebook. Keep this up to date. You may draw this timeline however you wish so long as it is neat, accurate, appropriately labeled and complete. It will begin at the Big Bang and end at the development of agrarian civilizations.


Begin by creating a timeline of the events of the Big Bang, from the Planck Era to through the Recombination Era. There are a few examples of this chronology available. One in particular is in the book “Maps of Time: An Introduction to Big History” by David Christian on the dining room bookshelf. It’s on page 27, Table 1.1: “A Chronology of the Early Universe.

  1. Define these 12 key terms. Use more than 1 sentence when necessary.
    • Matter
    • Antimatter
    • Energy
    • Atomic matter
    • Plasma
    • Light year
    • Dark matter
    • Dark energy
    • Cosmic inflation
    • Quarks
    • Entropy
    • Quantum foam
    • Answer these questions.
      • Summarize the Big Bang Theory in a few paragraphs. Tell the story of what happened.
      • Draw the basic model of the atom. Include charges.
      • What is the equation by Einstein that allows matter and energy to transfer back and forth?
      • If matter and antimatter cancel each other out, why was there matter left over to create the universe?
      • Considering the molecular structure of hydrogen, deuterium, helium and lithium, why do you think they were the first elements to be created?
      • Why were the elements at this time unstable ions? What exactly is an ion?
      • When exactly did the Cosmic Microwave Background appear? It’s left over radiation from what exactly?
      • In the “baby picture” of the Universe, explain the color system. What do the blue parts become? What do the orange, red and yellow parts become?
      • How is it possible for us to see back in time?
  2. Week 7: Intermission- The Four Fundamental Forces of Nature and the Standard Model of Particle Physics

This is a very rudimentary introduction to the four fundamental forces of nature and The Standard Model of Particle Physics.

  1. Read:
    1. How to Build a Universe
      • Chapter 4: The Force is Strong With This Universe
    1. Science Matters
      • Chapter 4: The Atom
      • Chapter 9: The Fundamental Structure of Matter, p. 153-164
    1. Watch:
    1. Assignment:
      • Define these terms:
        1. Element
        1. Nucleus
        1. Electron
        1. Proton
        1. Neutron
        1. Quarks
        1. The standard model of particle physics
        1. Identify the four fundamental forces of nature
      • Draw the atom for the element Helium. Label the nucleus, protons, neutrons and elections. Label the charges and identify the number of quarks (up and down quarks) in each subatomic particle in the nucleus.
      • Write a 1-2 page paper explaining the four fundamental forces of nature. Make sure you define each force, give it’s characteristics, describe what it does and identify it’s force carrier. When were the four fundamental forces one and when did they split off during the Big Bang?
      • Explain to me in a written response the Higgs field. What is it?

Week 8-11

Threshold 2: The Origin of Galaxies and Stars

  1. Week 8-9:

In which we go from protogalaxy to protostellar cloud to protostar to star.

  1. Readings:
    • Big History, Threshold 2, p. 22-24
    • How to Build a Universe, Chapter 5, p. 90-107
    • Watch:
    • Assignment:
      • Answer these questions:
        • Where did the matter for the galaxies come from? What pulled that matter together?
        • What is dark matter? What difference did it make in the formation of galaxies?
        • In “How to Build a Universe”, the author talks about how hydrogen atoms came together to create hydrogen molecules, like triatomic hydrogen. What’s the difference between an atom and a molecule?
        • What exactly is a photon again?
        • What is nuclear fusion as it relates to stars?
        • So there was an initial flash of light, which was what created the Cosmic Background Radiation “baby pictures of the universe” that we’ve already seen. Then it all went dark and there were the “Dark Ages”. Then the first stars formed. Now there is light again. Why is there light again? What happened? (Hint: Re-read page 106-107 in How to Build a Universe)
        • What 2 elements made up the first stars?
        • What are some differences between the first stars and our own sun?
      • Write a play by play of what happens as a galaxy is formed. The sequence in Big History can be a bit overwhelming. Make sure you read the boxes with visuals in the “How to Build a Universe” chapter. Particularly “Sowing the Seeds of the Stars” on p. 98-99. Think about what happens as the protogalaxy turns into a protostellar cloud, then to a protostar and then finally a star. The Professor Dave video will also help you here.
  2. Week 10-11: The Life and Death of Stars
    1. Readings:
      • How to Build a Universe, Chapter 6, The Life and Death of a Star, p. 110-131
      • Smithsonian’s The Universe: Definitive Visual Guide, p. 232-239, Star Forming Nebulae on p. 240-241, Main Sequence Stars on p. 250-252, Old Stars on p. 254-255 and Stellar End Points on p. 266-267. Look through the pictures of the various stars. They’re really pretty awesome.
    1. Watch:
      • The Universe: Season 1, Episode 10, The Life and Death of Stars. This is on the History channel website. You will need me to sign in through Xfinity for you.
      • How the Universe Works: Season 1, Episode 8: Supernovas. This is on Amazon Prime Video.
      • Professor Dave Explains. Watch this one on Star Classification: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5VU3Mp6abI and then this one on The Life and Death of stars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xIQGbYur9Q
    1. Assignment:
      • Describe the following stars:
        • Brown dwarf
        • Red dwarf
        • Sun-like star (or yellow dwarf)
        • Supergiants (or hypergiants)  
      • Create a labeled visual representation of the life cycle of a sun-like star, or yellow dwarf. Identify each phase it goes through and explain what lead to the change. (ex/ Yellow dwarf to red giant, etc etc.)
      • Explain the Herzprung-Russell (H-R) diagram
      • Answer these questions:
        • Where does most of the iron in our universe come from?
        • How about gold and silver and uranium?
        • How did World War III almost start in 1963? What was the astrological explanation?
        • Which element is the last element that a dying star creates? Why is this element the final one before the star dies completely?
        • From the video The Life and Death of Stars: “Gravity brings the star together and then gravity wants to crush it.” What usually stops gravity from crushing the star (when it’s in the main sequence)?
  3. Week 12: Galaxies
    1. Readings:
      • How to Build a Universe, Chapter 7: Meet the Galaxy Gardeners, p. 134-159
      • Smithsonian’s The Universe: Definite Visual Guide, p. 302-339. Read about Types of Galaxies, Galaxy Evolution, Galaxies, Active Galaxies, Galaxy Clusters and Galaxy Superclusters.
    1. Watch:
      • How the Universe Works, Season 1, Episode 2: Black Holes. This is on Amazon Prime
      • The Universe, Season 2, Episode 14; Nebulas. This is on the History channel website. You will need my log-in for Xfinity.
    1. Assignment:
      • Your main assignment this week is to LEARN and ABSORB all the visuals about the galaxies around us. The universe is amazing and beautiful. Pay attention and really think about how small we are in the grand scheme of things.
      • Answer the question:
        1. Why does the author of How to Build a Universe call black holes “cosmic gardeners”?
      • Also, pick a galaxy. Do some research on it. Make sure to identify it’s location, characteristics and classification. Write a 1-2 page paper on your galaxy.

Threshold 3: The Creation of New Chemical Elements

  • Week 14: Threshold 3

First, read How to Build a Universe, Chapter 3 and watch the Crash Course Chemistry videos. Next, read Big History: Threshold 3 and watch The Elements and Creating the Elements videos. Complete the assignments.

  1. Readings:

Week 15-18

Threshold 4: The Emergence of the Sun and Solar System

  1. Week 15: The Birth of the Sun and our Solar System
    • Readings:
      • Big History, Chapter 2, Threshold 4: The Emergence of the Sun and Solar System, p. 34-42. Stop at “The Early Earth- a Short History”
      • How to Build a Universe: Chapter 8: Cooking Up a Solar System, p. 162-193
      • Smithsonian’s The Planets: The Definitive Visual Guide, p. 24-39 on the Sun, Our Star
    • Watch:
    • Assignments:
      • Define these terms:
        1. Radiometric dating
        1. Radioactivity
        1. Half-life
        1. Accretion
      • Explain in 1-2 paragraphs the Solar Nebula Theory. Include who came up with it and when.
      • Draw a full page diagram of the sun (the core, the radiation zone, the convection zone, the photosphere, atmosphere and the corona). Give information about characteristics and what happens in each layer.
      • Answer these questions:
        • Why do all planets in the solar system form basically perfect spheres?
        • Where did our moon come from?
        • Where did Mars’ moons come from?
        • What is “The Frost Line”?
        • Why did the planets end up where they are currently, with the rocky terrestrial planets being the inner planets and the gaseous planets being the outer planets? (Note: Go with the explanation in the video. The one in the book is a bit confusing. There are several theories.)
        • What are sun spots and why do they happen? Explain solar flares.
        • How long does it take for an escaped photon to reach us here on Earth? How fast do the photons travel?
        • Big Picture Question: At the end of the Sun video, the narrator says that those escaped photons go on to power life on Earth. What does he mean specifically? How does it do that?
  2. Week 16: Exploring the Planets

This week you will be going through the planets, watch short videos on Amazon Prime Video and reading about each planet in the Smithsonian’s The Planets: The Definitive Visual Guide to our Solar System

  1. Day 1: Mercury and Venus
    • Watch:
      1. SpaceFiles, Season 1, Episode 2, Mercury.
      1. SpaceFiles, Season 2, Episode 3: Venus.
    • Reading:
      1. Read p. 44-57 for Mercury and p. 58-71 for Venus.
    • Assignment: Complete Planet Information Sheets for each planet.
  • Day 2: Mars
    • Watch: SpaceFiles, Season 1, Episode 7: Mars
    • Reading:
      • Read p. 110-136
    • Assignment:
      • There’s a ton of information out there about Mars. Write a 1-2 page summary of the planet Mars, including characteristics, temperatures, moons, geographical terrain, seasons, atmosphere, etc. How likely do you think it is that we could ever colonize Mars? Why or why not? This is due on Friday.
  • Day 3: Jupiter and Saturn
    • Watch:
      • Spacefiles, Season 1, Episode 9: Jupiter
      • SpaceFiles, Season 1, Episode 10: Saturn
    • Reading:
      • Read p. 150-169 for Jupiter
      • Read p. 170-195 for Saturn
    • Assignment:
      • Complete Planet Information Sheets about each planet.
  • Day 4: Uranus, Neptune and Pluto
    • Watch:
      • SpaceFiles, Season 1, Episode 11 for Uranius and Neptune
      • SpaceFiles, Season 1, Episode 12 for Pluto
    • Reading:
      • Read p. 196-203 for Uranus
      • Read p. 204-211 for Neptune
    • Assignment:
      • Complete a Planet Information Sheet for each planet
  • Day 5: Asteroids, Meteroids and Comets
    • Watch:
      • SpaceFiles, Season 1, Epsiode 8: Asteroids, Meteroids and Impacts
      • SpaceFiles, Season 1, Episode 13: Comets
    • Reading:
      • P. 138-145 for Asteroids
      • p. 222-231 for comets
    • Assignment: Turn in Mars paper
  • Week 17-18: Early Earth and the formation of our Moon
    • Readings:
      • Big History, Chapter 2, pages 42-53, From “The Early Earth- a Short History” until the end of the chapter.
      • Smithsonian’s The Planets: The Definitive Visual Guide, p. 72-109, Earth and the Moon
    • Assignment:
      • Up until now we’ve said gravity brought stars and planets together. While gravity did cause bigger particles and rocks to stick together, it wasn’t what caused the much smaller particles to stick together first. What did?
      • Describe the early Earth. Would you want to live there? Why or why not?
      • Where did the water from our oceans come from?
      • What role did volcanoes play in the formation/evolution of Earth?
      • How does the molten iron in the core keep us alive?
      • What impact did the collision with Thea have?
      • One of the scientists said the water that we drink today is billions of years old. How is that possible? Explain.
      • Research the Hadean Eon. Fill out an Eon Fact Sheet.
      • Define these terms:
        • Chemical differentiation
        • Hadean Eon
        • Atmosphere
        • Continental drift
        • Paleomagnetism
        • Seafloor spreading

Christmas Break Assignment:

 Read: The Story of Earth, Read the Introduction and then Chapters 1-5, pages 126

This is your ONLY Christmas Break Assignment. Public schools give Christmas Break Assignments too just like they give Summer Reading Assignments, so I hope to hear very little complaining. It’s not difficult reading. TAKE NOTES. 😊

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