Schedule for Summer 2012
Dates: July 9-13, 2012 and July 16-20, 2012
Days & Times: Monday –Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm
Location: Oakwood School, Greenville, NC
Instructors: Dr. Sharon Schleigh [email protected] & Dr. John Meredith [email protected]
Course Summary: This course is offered to in-service science teachers in middle and high school grades in North Carolina. The course is an experience in engaging in authentic research and a study in implementation of authentic research and inquiry in a science and math classroom. Content is related to astronomy, physical science and math concepts aligned with the NC K-12 Course of Study Standards, which will serve as vehicles for learning about teaching science though inquiry. The course aims to develop in-service teachers’ skills in structuring classroom learning to address the development for the understanding of the nature of science. The participants of the course will build their own telescope from scratch and will learn how to operate and collect data from remote, robotic telescopes to conduct authentic research. They will also participate by serving as a teacher for 2-3 middle grade students who will also build a telescope and complete an authentic research project. The professional development includes the scheduled 2 week (80 hrs) summer workshop as well as participation in mentoring throughout the following academic year.
Participants are expected to
· complete building of a telescope
· design and implement an authentic research project in astronomy
· teach 2-3 students during the workshop
· participate in monthly mentoring with course instructors
· implement authentic research opportunities in their classrooms/schools during the academic year
Course Materials (All course materials will be provided for the participants):
Course Resources: This course relies on collaboration with the Las Cumbres Observatories Global Telescopes network (LCOGT) and the Faulkes Telescopes located in Australia and Hawaii. Science expert mentors from LCOGT and The Spaceguard Centre & Observatory have committed to supporting this endeavor by communicating with the workshop participants and by providing raw data (astronomical imagery) for projects.
The projects that participants may choose to engage in are modified from professional development programs such as the NOAO and NSF Research Based Science Education (RBSE ) program and the Hawaii Institute for Astronomy (IFA) professional development programs: Toward Other Planetary Systems (TOPS) and NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI).
Course Objectives: The course objectives are directly aligned to the NC Professional Teacher Standards. Throughout the course, participants will be asked to identify how they have met and/or addressed these standards as they engage in the activities, promote learning of middle grade students, and develop a plan and curriculum for their own practice. The specific standards that will be addressed are:
Standard III: Teachers Know The Content They Teach
Course Schedule
WEEK ONE
AM Sessions:
· Teachers will build the telescope from scratch acting as the student; learning about
o the components of a telescope,
o the different types of telescopes and
o how a telescope works.
· Teachers will identify, discuss and reflect on improvements to the manual to make it teacher and classroom friendly.
· Teachers will discuss the alignment to standards, other disciplines and topics and opportunities to implement this kind of activity in their own instructional practices.
PM Sessions:
· Teachers will learn how to use a remote controlled telescope to collect images
· Teachers will learn how to use data banks to conduct authentic research projects
· Teachers will design and conduct an authentic research project in astronomy using remote telescopes and/or data banks
· Teachers will collaborate with science experts and other teachers
WEEK TWO
AM Sessions:
· Teachers will facilitate small groups of middle grade students to build a telescope.
· Teachers will reflect on
o their strategies,
o the instructional process and
o the clarity of the telescope manual
PM Sessions:
· Teachers will facilitate small groups of middle grade students to conduct authentic research projects in earth space science
· Teachers will instruct students in the use of technology to investigate and analyze scientific concepts and information
· Teachers will reflect on
o their strategies,
o the instructional processes,
o and the opportunities to implement authentic research in the classroom
Reflection, Assessment, Evaluation
Led by Dr. Sharon Schleigh
8am – 8:30am
On the first day, participants will complete diagnostic assessments. Each morning following the first day starts with assessments, journal reflections and evaluations addressing topics and content from the previous day.
Telescope Making Agenda
Led by Dr. John Meredith
8:30am – 11:30am
Day 1
Measure the focal length of the mirror
Cut the tube to the correct length
Peel the plastic from inside the tube
Paint the inside of the tube
Day 2
Cut the focuser hole
Mount the focuser, temporarily
Assemble the Mirror Mount
Assemble a friction focuser and simple diagonal holder
Day 3
Place the focuser on the tube
Place the Diagonal Holder in the tube
Place the mirror and mirror holder into the tube
Test the Optics
Day 4
Assemble the tube holder
Assemble the rocker box
Mount the tube in the tube holder
Mount the tube holder on the rocker box
Day 5
Make up day
Complete any remaining work on assembly
Test the telescopes
Wrap up and critique the manual and workshop
Classroom Applications Agenda
Led by Sharon Schleigh
11:30 – 12noon
Each day, after working on the telescope, and prior to starting on the astronomy projects, teachers will reflect on the structure of the telescope manual and provide feedback on how the manual might be aligned to classroom instruction and be more teacher and student friendly.
The goal at this point is to prepare teachers and materials for applications in the classroom.
12 noon – 1pm Lunch on your own
Astronomy Research Agenda
Led by Dr. Sharon Schleigh
1pm – 4pm
Day 1
Organizational Tools
Project Ideas and Resources (Homework: Skim through and decide on a topic)
Day 2
Using A Telescope
Filters
Exposure
Sequencing
Knowing What Can be Observed
Starry night
Stellarium
Day 3
Color Imaging
HR Diagrams
Blinking Images
Introduction to Photometry
Day 4
Working on Projects
Day 5
Working on Projects
Classroom Applications Agenda
Led by Sharon Schleigh
4pm – 5:30pm
In the first week, each day, after working on the astronomy projects, teachers will reflect on the strategies of implementing astronomy education in their classrooms and will work on developing project ideas for the coming academic year. In the second week this time will be used to discuss interactions with students and to allow for re-evaluation and modification to the plans teachers made during the first week.
The goal at this point is to prepare teachers to implement the materials and content in their classrooms in the coming academic year.
Days & Times: Monday –Friday, 8:30am – 5:30pm
Location: Oakwood School, Greenville, NC
Instructors: Dr. Sharon Schleigh [email protected] & Dr. John Meredith [email protected]
Course Summary: This course is offered to in-service science teachers in middle and high school grades in North Carolina. The course is an experience in engaging in authentic research and a study in implementation of authentic research and inquiry in a science and math classroom. Content is related to astronomy, physical science and math concepts aligned with the NC K-12 Course of Study Standards, which will serve as vehicles for learning about teaching science though inquiry. The course aims to develop in-service teachers’ skills in structuring classroom learning to address the development for the understanding of the nature of science. The participants of the course will build their own telescope from scratch and will learn how to operate and collect data from remote, robotic telescopes to conduct authentic research. They will also participate by serving as a teacher for 2-3 middle grade students who will also build a telescope and complete an authentic research project. The professional development includes the scheduled 2 week (80 hrs) summer workshop as well as participation in mentoring throughout the following academic year.
Participants are expected to
· complete building of a telescope
· design and implement an authentic research project in astronomy
· teach 2-3 students during the workshop
· participate in monthly mentoring with course instructors
· implement authentic research opportunities in their classrooms/schools during the academic year
Course Materials (All course materials will be provided for the participants):
- Itemized materials list to build a telescope will be provided during the workshop (i.e.: wood, screws, screw drivers, measuring tape, calculators, washers, etc.)
- Telescope Making Manual
- Laptop Computer PC (DELL); preloaded with imagining software (ImageJ, Astrometrica, Photoshop) and Office 2007
Course Resources: This course relies on collaboration with the Las Cumbres Observatories Global Telescopes network (LCOGT) and the Faulkes Telescopes located in Australia and Hawaii. Science expert mentors from LCOGT and The Spaceguard Centre & Observatory have committed to supporting this endeavor by communicating with the workshop participants and by providing raw data (astronomical imagery) for projects.
The projects that participants may choose to engage in are modified from professional development programs such as the NOAO and NSF Research Based Science Education (RBSE ) program and the Hawaii Institute for Astronomy (IFA) professional development programs: Toward Other Planetary Systems (TOPS) and NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI).
Course Objectives: The course objectives are directly aligned to the NC Professional Teacher Standards. Throughout the course, participants will be asked to identify how they have met and/or addressed these standards as they engage in the activities, promote learning of middle grade students, and develop a plan and curriculum for their own practice. The specific standards that will be addressed are:
Standard III: Teachers Know The Content They Teach
- Teachers will identify the NCSCOS to the content of the workshop
- Teachers will develop strategies to make their curriculum rigorous
- Teachers will develop literacy skills appropriate to earth and space science education
- Teachers will know the content they teach (for earth and space science)
- Teachers will recognize the interconnectedness of earth and space science with other disciplines and subjects
Course Schedule
WEEK ONE
AM Sessions:
· Teachers will build the telescope from scratch acting as the student; learning about
o the components of a telescope,
o the different types of telescopes and
o how a telescope works.
· Teachers will identify, discuss and reflect on improvements to the manual to make it teacher and classroom friendly.
· Teachers will discuss the alignment to standards, other disciplines and topics and opportunities to implement this kind of activity in their own instructional practices.
PM Sessions:
· Teachers will learn how to use a remote controlled telescope to collect images
· Teachers will learn how to use data banks to conduct authentic research projects
· Teachers will design and conduct an authentic research project in astronomy using remote telescopes and/or data banks
· Teachers will collaborate with science experts and other teachers
WEEK TWO
AM Sessions:
· Teachers will facilitate small groups of middle grade students to build a telescope.
· Teachers will reflect on
o their strategies,
o the instructional process and
o the clarity of the telescope manual
PM Sessions:
· Teachers will facilitate small groups of middle grade students to conduct authentic research projects in earth space science
· Teachers will instruct students in the use of technology to investigate and analyze scientific concepts and information
· Teachers will reflect on
o their strategies,
o the instructional processes,
o and the opportunities to implement authentic research in the classroom
Reflection, Assessment, Evaluation
Led by Dr. Sharon Schleigh
8am – 8:30am
On the first day, participants will complete diagnostic assessments. Each morning following the first day starts with assessments, journal reflections and evaluations addressing topics and content from the previous day.
Telescope Making Agenda
Led by Dr. John Meredith
8:30am – 11:30am
Day 1
Measure the focal length of the mirror
Cut the tube to the correct length
Peel the plastic from inside the tube
Paint the inside of the tube
Day 2
Cut the focuser hole
Mount the focuser, temporarily
Assemble the Mirror Mount
Assemble a friction focuser and simple diagonal holder
Day 3
Place the focuser on the tube
Place the Diagonal Holder in the tube
Place the mirror and mirror holder into the tube
Test the Optics
Day 4
Assemble the tube holder
Assemble the rocker box
Mount the tube in the tube holder
Mount the tube holder on the rocker box
Day 5
Make up day
Complete any remaining work on assembly
Test the telescopes
Wrap up and critique the manual and workshop
Classroom Applications Agenda
Led by Sharon Schleigh
11:30 – 12noon
Each day, after working on the telescope, and prior to starting on the astronomy projects, teachers will reflect on the structure of the telescope manual and provide feedback on how the manual might be aligned to classroom instruction and be more teacher and student friendly.
The goal at this point is to prepare teachers and materials for applications in the classroom.
12 noon – 1pm Lunch on your own
Astronomy Research Agenda
Led by Dr. Sharon Schleigh
1pm – 4pm
Day 1
Organizational Tools
- Classroom management
- Rubrics and assessments
- Science Standards
Project Ideas and Resources (Homework: Skim through and decide on a topic)
- Databanks
- Mentors
- Project Descriptions
Day 2
Using A Telescope
Filters
Exposure
Sequencing
Knowing What Can be Observed
Starry night
Stellarium
Day 3
Color Imaging
HR Diagrams
Blinking Images
Introduction to Photometry
Day 4
Working on Projects
Day 5
Working on Projects
Classroom Applications Agenda
Led by Sharon Schleigh
4pm – 5:30pm
In the first week, each day, after working on the astronomy projects, teachers will reflect on the strategies of implementing astronomy education in their classrooms and will work on developing project ideas for the coming academic year. In the second week this time will be used to discuss interactions with students and to allow for re-evaluation and modification to the plans teachers made during the first week.
The goal at this point is to prepare teachers to implement the materials and content in their classrooms in the coming academic year.