If some students here are anything like I am, Science is the hardest subject. I struggle and struggle to keep my grades up the best I can and at the end of the tri, I can barely say I passed; talking to counselors I find I still need to fill remaining science credits. Students like that should look into taking Astronomy.

I have found Astronomy to be different. I went into the class expecting it to be like every other science class I’ve ever taken, a class that I’d find confusing, impossible to follow, and a struggle to keep grades up. Instead I found a class that I quite enjoy, I can keep up, follow along, and learn some super amazing facts. All students really need is an interest in Astronomy, and good note taking skills. If students can get that down, they will probably find Astronomy to be one of the best classes they’ve ever taken.

Even though learning about the night sky, space, planets, and galaxies are big subjects in Astronomy, sleeping through a lesson is one of the worst things to do in the class. A large sum of the class is graded on participation, which often includes quick bell-ringers, or 5 question quizzes at the start of the day, to see what you remember from the previous day. One thing that could really help struggling students is students can use their notes on tests, making it possibly a lot easier for students who aren’t good memorisors.

The teacher, who many refer to her as “Super Smith,” has a way of teaching that makes the class not only educational but also memorable. No current or previous knowledge of space needed to get through this class. Students can find out how very little they know of our solar system and universe through Super Smith’s lessons.

If the sun were the size and weight of what objects, how big or heavy would the planets of the solar system turn out to be? What are the negative effects of light pollution and how could it be stopped? Why do we only know the ‘not to scale’ knowledge of our universe? What is the difference between Astronomy, the class you’d be taking, and Astrology, which should not be confused with the class you’d take at RHS? These are just a couple of questions that Students can find out by taking Astronomy at Ridgeline.

I asked some other Astronomy students, including Brooklyn Orton and Madison Ward, if they enjoyed the class, which they both expressed interest. They agreed “it is the bomb” and “you learn a lot.” No matter who I asked they all expressed enjoyment in the class. It is a class they look forward to, because it is interesting. Some students are even in the class a second time.