Starry, Starry Night:

An Interdisciplinary Exploration of the Formation of the Universe

 

 

Spring Date: Saturday, March 6. 2010
Time: 9:15 AM-2:00 PM
Location: STANYS Lab Day at the College of St. Rose
Register: http://www.eastern-stanys.org/labday.php

 

Presenters:  Dudley Curriculum Committee: Heidi Newberg, Astrophysicist, RPI; Janie Schwab, Executive Director Dudley Observatory; Sarah Fisk, CMOST; Vince Amodeo, President of Dudley BOD; Joan Wagner, Dudley Observatory Curriculum Committee Chair.

PowerPoint

Introductions and overview
Formation of universe: Heidi Newberg
Historical perspective: Vince Amodeo
Reading star maps, using a planisphere and telescope: Janie Schwab powerpoint

Making a planisphere activity: Sarah Fisk
Overview of Classroom activities: Joan Wagner
Try one of these activities if there is time.
•           Expanding Universe
•           Bald Eagle and Constellations
•           Constellations and Mythology
Review of Action Research: Joan Wagner
•           Teachers use action research to implement astronomy strategies for the classroom. These will be presented at a later meeting.
Evaluation

Astronomy Activities

1. In the Footsteps of Galileo: This inquiry-based activity provides students an opportunity to think like a scientist while retracing Galileo’s observations of the moons of Jupiter. (HS)

A copy of the powerpoint can be downloaded from the website

2. Modeling the Expanding Universe: This activity used balloons and star stickers to simulate the expanding universe. (MS-HS)
3. Translating an Alien Message: After being introduced to types of messages NASA has sent, students attempt to interpret an alien message. (MS_HS)
4. Constellations and Mythology:  Students create viewers to look at constellations and research the mythology associated with them. (K-12)
5. Toilet Paper Solar System: (upper Elem-MS)
6. Mapping the Invisible Universe (MS-HS)
7. Pocket Solar System: (MS-HS)
8. Galaxy Sorting: (HS) This activity has a powerpoint.
9. Cupcake Constellation: K-12
10. The Flight of the Bald Eagle: (Upper elementary-MS)
11. Making a Starfinder: (Upper elementary-HS)
12. Translating an Alien Message (MS-HS)
13. In the Footsteps of Galileo: Observing the Moons of Jupiter (HS)
14. Constellation Detective (Elem-HS)

Astronomy Online

From Astronomy Society of the Pacific: http://www.astrosociety.org/education/activities/handson.html

1. Surfing the Solar System: A Treasure Hunt Game and Puzzle http://www.astrosociety.org/education/surf.html

2. The Universe At Your Fingertips Activity: Galaxy Sorting http://www.astrosociety.org/education/astro/act5/gal_sort.html

3. Astronomy from the Ground Up http://www.astrosociety.org/afgu/index.html

4. Night Sky Network http://www.astrosociety.org/afgu/index.html

5. Project ASTRO: Astronomers and Educators as Partners for Learning http://www.astrosociety.org/education/astro/project_astro.html

6. The Universe At Your Fingertips Activity: Picture an Astronomer http://www.astrosociety.org/education/astro/act1/astronomer.html

7. Light Pollution http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/44/lightpoll4.html#4

8. Star Science in the Autumn Sky http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/32/starscience3.html

9. Constellations: Finding Orion http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/21/constellations2.html#activity

10. Black Holes http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/24/blackhole4.html

11. Name the Angle http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/26/hubble2.html

12. Why Should we Care About Exploding Stars? http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/08/stars2.html

13. Here it Comes There it Goes (Doppler Effect) http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/55/astrocappella3.html

14. Testing Astrology http://www.astrosociety.org/education/astro/act3/astrology.html

15. Cosmic Calendar http://www.astrosociety.org/education/astro/act2/cosmic.html

16. A grapefruit Saturn http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/40/saturn.html

17. There is More to Light Than Meets the Eye http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/35/rainbow.html

18. Remember the Egg (Looking Through a Telescope the First Time) www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/egg.html

19. Impact Cratering http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/23/crater2.html

20. Seeing in the Dark http://www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/73/seeing.html#5

21. Good Astronomy Activities on the Web http://www.astrosociety.org/education/activities/astroacts.html

22. Birthday Moons http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/html/Birthday/birthday1.htm

23. NASA Activities for grades k-12http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/index.html

23. Excellent Constellation interactive graphics: http://www.google.com/sky/