George Mason University (GMU)

College of Science (COS)

Department of Physics and Astronomy

and

College of Education and Human Development (CEHD)

Office of Adult Learning and Professional Development (OALPD)

 

ASTR 590: Special Topics in Astronomy

Astronomy for Teachers

Summer 2007 with 2 fall follow-up sessions TBD

MTWHF 10AM-3PM; with evening sessions in observatory as weather permits

August 6-10;13-17; 2 follow-up sessions in Fall TBD

Room IN 323 and GMU Observatory

 

CoInstructor: Harold Geller

Phone: 703-993-1276

FAX: 703-993-1269

E-mail: hgeller@gmu.edu

Address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, MS 3F3

George Mason University

4400 University Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030

 

CoInstructor: Lee Ann Hennig

Phone: 703-750-8380

FAX: 703-750-5010

E-mail: LeeAnn.Hennig@fcps.edu

Address: Astronomy/Planetarium Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology

6560 Braddock Road

Alexandria, VA 22312

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Participants will review astronomy concepts, focusing on the concepts which appear in the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL). Workshop participants will utilize innovative activities for teaching students physical concepts required of students to comprehend astronomy related natural phenomena such as the appearance of the night time sky, reasons for the seasons, phases of the Moon, motion of the stars and planets, surface features of the Moon, and nature of eclipses.

 

COURSE PURPOSE AND INTENDED AUDIENCE:

This is an intensive two week long professional development workshop for teachers in the grades 6-12. There will be two follow-up sessions in the Fall 2007 (dates to be set). This workshop will aid teachers in comprehending and developing lesson plans to address astronomy concepts that are part of the Virginia Standards of Learning.

 

COURSE FORMAT:

The workshop will address astronomy concepts utilizing lectures, group activities, laboratory exercises and open class discussions. Lectures will consist of various forms of presentation material including videos, computer displays, demonstrations and transparencies. Questions are acceptable at all times. Participants should be alert during the lecture and prepared to answer queries posed as they arise. Class activities are collaborative efforts of three or four participants. Each participant will hand in a write-up for each class activity. Class activity sessions will consist of both computer-based exercises and hands-on exercises. Activity reports will be turned in at the conclusion of each class meeting.

 

OUTCOMES:

After attending this workshop teachers will be able to explain and develop lesson plans for use in their classrooms to explain the appearance of the night time sky; explain the reasons for the seasons; explain the phases of the Moon; explain the motion of the stars and planets; explain the surface features of the Moon; and explain the nature of eclipses.

 

REQUIRED TEXT and SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITY MATERIALS:

The required textbook for this course (provided to participants) is Foundations of Astronomy by Michael A. Seeds, 9th edition with Starry Night CD-ROM. Supplemental activity materials for this course (provided to participants) includes the Mag 5 Star Atlas (from Scientifics Online); a Diffraction Grating Film Sheet 12" x 6" (from Scientifics Online); a Cardboard Spectrometer Kit (from Learning Technologies Inc. (LTI)); a Celestial Sphere Kit (from LTI); the Cycles Book (from LTI); a Miller Planisphere (from Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP)); and a Solar Motion Demonstrator Kit (from ASP).

 

GRADING RUBRIC:

Description

Weighting

Class Activities

50%

Class Participation

10% (see http://www.iClicker.com)

Final Examination

20%

Follow-up Sessions

20%

 

TENTATIVE CLASS SCHEDULE, TOPICS and READINGS:

Date

Topic/Learning Experiences

In Class Activity

Readings

6 August 2007

 

Preliminaries:

Contract Course Enrollment Forms

Contract Course Information Overview

Payment and Receipt for Payment

Lunch Passes

CAER Introductory Astronomy Survey and Pre-test

Harvard General Astronomy Pre-Test and Survey

Virginia SOL Astronomy Questions Pre-test

Scale of the Cosmos - Time and Distance Measures

Mathematical Tools Review

Solar System Scale Model Activity

Chapter 1 and Appendix A

7 August 2007

 

The Sky - Constellations and the Celestial Sphere

Planisphere Activity

Telescope Observing Session - weather did not permit

Chapter 2 pages 12-22

8 August 2007

 

The Sky - The Sun and the Seasons

Guest Speaker, Greg Redfern, NASA

Mag 5 Star Atlas

Celestial Sphere Activity

Chapter 2 pages 22-27

9 August 2007

 

The Sky - Motion of the Planets

Cycles and Starry Night Activity

Telescope Observing Session (weather did not permit - cancelled)

Chapter 2 pages 25-32

10 August 2007

 

Cycles of the Moon – The Phases of the Moon

The Sun and the Seasons

Demonstration of StarLab Planetarium

Chapter 3 pages 36-41

13 August 2007

 

Cycles of the Moon - Eclipses

Introduction to Origins of the Universe

Quick Review of Eclipses

Moons of Jupiter Activity

Chapter 3 pages 42-55

14 August 2007

 

Origins of Modern Astronomy

Geller Presentation on Development of Modern Astronomy

Guest Speaker, Heather Weir, NASA GSFC on MESSENGER, LRO and New Horizons

GMU Observing Session (weather did not permit)

Chapter 4

15 August 2007

 

Our Star, the Sun

Geller Presentation on the Sun

Complete CLEA Sun activities

Observe the Sun

Chapter 5

16 August 2007

 

Light and Telescopes

Geller Presentation on Electromagnetic Radiation

Guest Speaker, Dr. Joe Weingartner (GMU) on the Dusty Universe

Reflection Activity

Refraction Activity

Diffraction Grating Handouts

GMU Observing Session (rain - observing session cancelled)

Chapter 6 pages 108-122

17 August 2007

 

Light and Telescopes

Geller Presentation on Astrobiology

Spectrometer Activity

Closing Paperwork

CAER Introductory Astronomy Survey and Post-test

Harvard General Astronomy Post-Test and Survey

Virginia SOL Astronomy Questions Post-test

Chapter 6 pages 122-135

13 October 2007

Saturday Fall Follow-up Session

Workshop participant presentations

Lesson plan presentations developed by participants

1 December 2007

Saturday Fall Follow-up Session

Workshop participant presentations

Student results from lesson plans used in class (pre- and post- test results)

 

College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) and College of Science (COS) Statement of Expectations:

The GMU College of Science Department of Physics and Astronomy, and the GMU College of Education and Human Development, expects that all students abide by the following:

  • Students are expected to exhibit professional behavior and dispositions. See gse.gmu.edu for a listing of these dispositions.
  • Students must follow the guidelines of the University Honor Code. See http://www.gmu.edu/catalog/apolicies/ for the full honor code.
  • Students must agree to abide by the university policy for Responsible Use of Computing. See http://www.gmu.edu/facstaff/policy/newpolicy/1301gen.html for GMU policy on the Responsible Use of Computing.
  • Students with disabilities who seek accommodations in a course must be registered with the GMU Disability Resource Center (DRC) and inform the instructor, in writing, at the beginning of the semester. See www.gmu.edu/student/drc/ or call 703-993-2474 to access the DRC.

 

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 1]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 2]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 3]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 4]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 5]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 6]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 7]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 8]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 9]

Web Resources Demonstrated or Discussed [Day 10]

General Web Resources

Follow-up Session #1 (13 October 2007 )

Guidelines

You will have about 10 minutes to present the lesson plan that you developed, and that you will be using in a classroom.

Give all an idea of the following:

  1. the concept you will be covering in the lesson;
  2. the approach you will take to do a pre-testing of the students;
  3. a portion of what you will actually do in class;
  4. the approach you will take to do a post-testing of the students to see if they learned the concept; and,
  5. a summary of how the lesson plan fits into the overall teaching strategy.

You will then be able to take questions and suggestions from the other participants.

 

Geller's Overview of the Big Bang and the Formation of the Solar System

 

Teacher Resources for Follow-Up Session #1

  • Alex Workman (video example of presentation)

 

Follow-up Session #2 (1 December 2007 )

Guidelines

You will have about 10 minutes to present the results of the implementation of the lesson plan that you developed and used in a classroom.  You will then have 5 minutes for questions and comments from your colleagues.

You will be turning into me a written (preferably electronic version) report about your lesson plan and results, including the following which will be presented in class on TBA December. Note, the written report must be turned into me by TBA December 2007 in order for you to receive your official grade.

To be included in your presentation and report:

  • The results of the pre-tests given to the students.
  • A summary of all activities included in the implementation of the lesson plan.
  • How the lesson plan was implemented in your particular classroom environment.
  • The results of the post-tests given to the students.
  • Lessons learned from the implementation of the lesson plan.
  • How the lesson plan could be modified for enhanced student learning.
  • Any other evidence of student or teacher learning from the effort.
  • Future plans for implementing lesson plan.

 

Teacher Resources for Follow-Up Session #2