iStarDB (The Astronomy Education Research Repository)
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The Concept Maps as a Didactic Resource Tool of Meaningful Learning in Astronomy Themes
No full textThis article presents the results of an investigation that sought to understand the performance of the conceptual map (MC) as a teaching resource facilitator of meaningful learning of scientific concepts on astronomical themes, developed with elementary school students. The methodology employed to obtain and process the data was based on a quantitative and qualitative approach. On the quantitative level we designed a quasi-experimental research with a control group that did not use the MC and an experimental group that used the MC, both being evaluated in the beginning and end of the process. In this case, the performance of both groups is displayed in a descriptive and analytical study. In the qualitative approach, the MCs were interpreted using the structuring and assigned meanings shared by the student during his/her presentation. The results demonstrated through the improvement of qualifications that the MC made a difference in conceptual learning and in certain skills revealed by learning indicators
Citizen Science Programs on Light Pollution Awareness: Where Do We Go with the Data?
No full textOnce data from a citizen-science program on light pollution is verified, what research projects, on-line analytical tools and tutorials should be developed, and what ways can results and acknowledgements be provided to the public? These and other questions are explored
The Inflativerse - The University of Nottingham’s inflatable planetarium
No full textThe Inflativerse is a mobile planetarium run by volunteers lead by the Physics and Astronomy departments at the University of Nottingham. This is a new project set up in 2011 to offer free of charge planetarium shows and activities for schools and public events
The Main Ideas of Cosmology at School
No full textThe aim of this research study was to investigate students’ ideas and main difficulties with understanding modern cosmology science and to design based on results obtained a new cosmology course. We tried to identify factors, which might limit students’ skills and knowledge about universe. The participants were students – mostly pre-service teachers at the Science Education program in an Faculty of Education. A combination of qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used in the study. The data were primarily sourced from a standard questionnaire instrument. In addition, the interviews were conducted to determine student's views of discussed course topics
Collaboration Between Professional Institutions In Raising The Profile Of Astronomy Research
No full textThe Physics Outreach Unit at UNSW Australia contributes to the goals of the IAU`s Commission 55 by collaborating with established institutions to improve public engagement with science. We aim to not only increase public awareness of astronomy but also ensure the benefits to society of our scientific endeavours are understood. We have found collaborating with like-minded institutions who are working in similar spaces allows both parties to make a larger impact than working alone. For example, our long-term collaboration with the Australian Museum provides the opportunity to engage urban and rural communities with science, audiences to which we do not normally have easy access. To increase our national presence we are exploring new relationships with other institutions, in particular the Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA), in hosting events such as public talks with eminent astronomers, star parties and astronomical workshops. These partnerships help build firm foundations for planning future events, in particular during the International Year of Light 2015
The Need Of Distance Learning For Astronomy Development In Indonesia
No full textAstronomy is a popular topic for the public in term of astronomical phenomenon such as occultations, solar and lunar eclipses or meteor showers. In term of education, astronomy also is popular as one of the world Science Olympiads. Social media, as the new trend in communicating and connecting people, plays a significant role in increasing the size of the astronomy community. Beyond IYA 2009, more and more astronomy activities have been done in many places in Indonesia. New astronomy communities have been formed in several cities and public engagement is also high in social media especially on Facebook and Twitter. In this paper, we will discuss the lesson learned from astronomy outreach achievements in Indonesia and the need for citizen science projects as a distance learning tool for the public as part of astronomy development in Indonesia. We argue and propose that this project will be also important up to a regional scope
Education Partnerships in Teacher Training: McDonald Observatory and the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization
No full textMcDonald Observatory in remote, west Texas has a long history of providing K-12 teacher professional development (PD) through workshops at the observatory. Recently, we have started a new teacher PD program in partnership with the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization (GMTO) to provide teacher training and establish a network of teachers and students engaged in the Giant Magellan Telescope. The GMT Teacher workshop has been offered to 30 teachers during the summers of 2014 and 2015; continued engagement has been offered to the teachers through online resources, networking, participation in other teacher PD opportunities and conferences. Evaluation has been conducted using several metrics immediately post workshops, and long term followup evaluation methods. At the close of the 2014 workshop teachers reported learning about the telescopes and nighttime observing, and the promise of the GMT. Consensus statements at the close of the workshop also spoke about passion for and appreciation of astronomy. The major source of recommendation during the year one workshop was to provide more detailed information or activities on the GMT during the workshops. While this does prove challenging to incorporate a full slate of activities on the GMT before the telescope is even built, we are currently working to produce more take-home materials which are GMT specific, continue to make general connections to telescope technology and science that are applicable to the GMT with the teachers. McDonald Observatory and GMTO will continue to partner to offer teacher PD related to the GMT, and increase the network of teachers and students engaged in the GMT, up and through the beginning of its operations in 2020. We will present the current highlights, evaulation outcome results, and future outlook for this program and collaboration
Increasing Student Achievement In Science Through The Use Of The 5 E Instructional Method
No full textExperts consider science inquiry as a best practice in science education. Inquiry instruction has a long history and is included in numerous versions of science education standards today. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of 5 E learning cycle inquiry-based units on student attitudes and content acquisition in middle school science classes compared to direct instruction methods. All grade eight students in two sections of Earth science received the treatment, a 5 E learning cycle unit on matter (N=37). The 5 E treatment unit was administered following a unit on astronomy that used the traditional direct instruction methods of lecture, notes, chapter reading, and teacher directed activities for comparison
THE TEACHING OF HISTORY OF SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY: SOME BRIEF CONSIDERATIONS
No full textI teach history of science at the University of Udine, Italy. My students – about 25 – frequently the second and the third year at the faculty of Letters and Philosophy (now called “Polo Umanistico”). They have to pass a sole proof in history of science. Therefore, in this editorial, I would like to face the problems connected with the teaching of history of science to students who have a scarce knowledge of mathematics and who in their future will have probably few contacts with science and its history. Thus, two problems are particularly difficult in this case: 1) to choose the subject properly; 2) to choose the appropriate educational approach. Obviously, the choice of the subject is always important, but if one teaches history of science in a scientific faculty, the situation is, in a sense, easier: for example, at the faculty of physics, one could select a specific course each year, i.e., history of mechanics in a certain period, history of electromagnetism in the 19th century, the theory of optics as it is developed by an author or a series of authors (Euclid, Witelo, Kepler, Snell, Descartes, and so on), etc. Each subject could be dealt with by facing the particular research of each scholar and entering the specific mathematical arguments. This is not possible in a humanities faculty. Thence, I would like to explain my choice and to trace some general considerations
A robotic telescope for science and education
No full textJohn Baruch surveys the work of the Bradford Robotic Telescope – a project rooted in innovation and education, full of potential for an exciting future