This course is focused on an understanding of the foundational concepts of modern astronomy. Students will examine how the three basic characteristics of celestial objects - motion, brightness and color - have revealed all that we know about our solar system and the universe. Participants will see, first hand, the interconnected nature of engineering and science practices as they craft solutions to the problem of gathering information about distant celestial objects. We will use the planetarium and other tools to develop models of celstrial phenomena and then use those models to formulate claims, and collect data to support or refute these claims. The emphasis is not on what we know, but how we know it and why it is the best explanation. [3 credits ]