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Project ASTRO: How-To Manual for Teachers and Astronomers. INSTITUTION Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA

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Project ASTRO: How-To Manual for Teachers and Astronomers. INSTITUTION Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA DOCUMENT RESUME ED 394 846 SE 058 358 AUTHOR Richter, Jessica; Fraknoi, Andrew TITLE Project ASTRO: How-To Manual for Teachers and Astronomers. INSTITUTION Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA. SPONS AGENCY National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.; National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. Directorate for Education and Human Resources. REPORT NO ISBN-1-886733-99-6 PUB DATE 96 CONTRACT ESI-9253156 NOTE 49p. AVAILABLE FROM Project ASTRO, Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94112. PUB TYPE Guides Non-Classroom Use (055) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Astronomy; *Cooperation; Elementary Secondary Education; *Partnerships in Education; Science Programs ABSTRACT Project ASTRO is an innovative program to support science education by linking teachers and students in grades 4-9 with amateur and professional astronomers with the overall goal being to increase students' interest in astronomy and science in general. This manual was designed for teachers, amateur and professional astronomers, youth group leaders, and others who teach astronomy to students. It contains tips and suggestions about: what makes a successful partnership, finding a partner teacher or astronomer, partnership strategies and possibilities, expectations and planning, integrating the astronomer into the classroom, getting started and the first visit, roles and responsibilities for teachers and astronomers, involving the school and the community, getting support and publicity, star parties and astronomy clubs, and other good ideas. (JRH) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * * from the original document. *********************************************************************** il I I A MI 1 JIL. T "T"." 1111. ASTRONOMERS PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL B N GRA TED BY n. A -- TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC u 'EP IA tOW 4....... U $ DEPARTMENT OFSoucAnow nth. or Educanonor Roforecn onoInimormmint DUCA TIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTERmato ,,,,, documtmt hos 13 motor...-. sit ecelx1 lion, dm prton or 0,roteln OnsOrtating it C Mnot t Milt toNto t to lonr,. 'OptOduCt.C QuIt.ty Pants of vow at or:unroof RatedIn's 00Cu mom do flat CIllray r5040551 offtcrid OERI positron or ooircy PROJECT ASTRO P roject ASTRO Astronomical Society of the Pacific .i(A)Ashton Avenue San Francisco. CA (4112 415-337-11On FAX 415-337-S20S Written by lessica Richter. ootdittakir With additional text by Andrew Fraknc i.l'roject l)irectot Design and Production loan Venticque Photography Amy Snyder Catherhtel.ombard We thank the teachers and astronomers ot the ProjectASTRO pilot from whose esperiences many ot the ideas in this manual art' drawn.I hanks also to Dennis St hati and ( dry Sneider tor ideas and inspiranont. 1-titio733-qt)-() Project ASTRO, How-To Manual for Teachers andAstronomerswas prepared with the support ot the National Science Foundation,Intormal Scient Iducati(o grant No. I 5I-92531So, and with additional support otthe National Aeronautics and Spate Administrathm. (4)\ tight lioth hs thy\sit; itiotnital)iletvit the l'acitik BEST COPY AVAILABLE Project ASTRO How-To Manual for Teachers and Astronomers Project ASTRO and You in a situ it ii r community organization, working with -Your- astronomer is a way to Wkome to Project As FRO: Astronomers bring new experiences and expertise to your and leachers as Partners in the classroom: students. If You are an astronomer, volunteer- I his f Manual is tor teachers, amateur ing to visit a school can be as valuable to you and professional astronomers, youth gnnip as to the studentsputting you in touch with leaders, and others who teach astronomy to youngsters and doing something meaningful students. It contains tips and suggestions tor your community. You'll find that most about starting and carrying out a Project students have a Amo teacher/astronomer partnership. As a natural fascination Project ASTRO partner, a protessional or ama- with space that can be sparked through teur astronomer agrees to make ongoing 41, a schoolisits, and to work with a partner hands-on activities teacher and a group ot students over time to and your own assist them in learning more about astromi enthusiasm. And --441109 my in and out ot the classroom. you'll see that vou It you're reading this manual, you arc can readily inte- probably either a teacher who wants an grate other sciences astronomer to visit your classroom, or an and subjects, from astnniotner ts ho wants to spend some tune biology, to art, to sharing Your love tit the stars with teachers history into your and young people. You may be seeking a part- astronomy lessons. ner astronomer or teacher, or you may alread have a partner and be planning viflir How to Use Ph Ott IA I .itiletine I ortilLird tirst classroom visit together. Fins manual is This Manual intended to give you some 'Ideas about tuns. to get started, and luiw to develop a sm(ess- The purpose in this manual is rti give you tul partnership over the coining months and guidanie to help your partnership be as sue- years. iesstul as possible. We know that %mil manu- \ ark' ak nit to embark on a [(warding als have less meaning it You've never visited a and sometimes ihallenging partnership to t. lassrot on ( 4' worked wit h a visiting sLientist improve si rime education. It vou'ic a teat her I loore. I \i'il MI, we encourage vim to read 4 this manual at least on«. betore you begin your partnership, and then return to it atter you've started. 'We suggest that you also read the seitions intended tor your partner whether teacher or astroimmerto help you understand vcitir partner's luitential concerns. See the table ot;Ontents tor specitic sections that meet your needs. We wekt nine your «minions and sugges- tions..As vou read and use this manual. we hope your will make your own notes and share them with us. Please send your teed- back to Project ASTRO, Astronomkal Society ot the Pacitic. 490 Ashton Avenue, San I rancisto, ( A (4112. III Jesska Richter k Andrew I raknoi In this manual we'll give tips on: What makes a successful partnership Finding a partner teacher or astronomer Partnership strategies and possibilities Expectations and planning Integrating the astronomer into the classroom Getting started and the first visit Roles and responsibilities for teachers and astronomers Involving the school and community Getting support and publicity Star parties, astronomy clubs, and other good ideas II Contents 7. Guidelines for Teachers 23 1:( ties and Responsibilities ips tor teachers Protessional vs. amateur astronomers 8. Guidelines for Astronomers 27 Roles and Responsibilitks Reaching teachers tips tor Astronomers leaching I ips tor \stronomers I. Introduction: What is Project A5FRO?.. .... I low to he (Items e in the ilassroom Project \STR( I Materials \bout the Astronomical St x ietv ot the Pat nit 9. Involving Families, Community and the School. 32 (letting the School Involved 2. Kids and Science: The Project ASTRO Philosophy. l.inking with Outside Resources Being a Project . \S FR) Partner: Suggested Appri tat hes Involving Families and the Communttv in Projet. t AS I Ro 3. key Ideas About Partnerships 6 10. Ideas for Support and Publicity 36 fen Steps to a Successful Partnership (letting Administrator or Employer Support More About (:onimunication (letting Publicity More About I itne ( :ornmit ment 11. Special Events and Good Ideas 38 4. Finding a Partner 10 Star Parties itt .Astrorunms: I inding a Partner leacher Forming a School Astronomy Club flow to approach seht nil personnel t 'sing telecommunications and Astronomy Software tor leachers: Finding a Partner Astronomer About amateur astronomers How to Order The Universe at Your Fingertips 47 5. Partnership Strategies 13 Integrating the Astronomer into the St h nil Program Iwo main approaches Possibilities Partnering in the ( lassrtutm hree si enanos: what tv/ mid you do! 6. Starting your Partnership 17 Planning ( tuidelinus Planning ( hecklist I he first Visit Ideas and it ebreakers meaningful AM Itle shile tho are there), n while at the same time, pros Kling profession- al do elopment opportunities tor teachers Projett \SIR() helps teat hers and astronomers form partnerships, otters them training and support, and pros ides a range of materials tor classroom useI he focus ot Projett \SIR() is on grades 4-9, hetause it is in these. grades that students' long-term atti- Project 1STRO is an innoyatne program to tudes about science are first formed support science education In linking teachers \her bong trained, astrimomers agree to and students in grades 4-9 with amateur and make at least tour land otten mans morel professional astronomers. The overall goal of school visits, assisting with hands-on activi- Project ASTRO is to increase students' interest ties, giving talks on astronomical discoveries, in astronomy and science in general. Funded helpins; with science projects, organizing by the National Science Foundation and by "star parties" for students and families, lend- two branches of NASA, Project ASTRO was ing a hand with curriculum development, developed by the Astronomical Society of the and serving as role models. Whenever possi- Pacific, a century-old, nonprofit scientific and ble. teachers and astronomers together estab- educational membership society tor amateur lish links with local astronomy institutions and professional astronomers, teachers, and and science centers. the public. Project ASTRO began in 1993 as a pilot Because of its attractiveness tor students, program involving 4S sclusols throughout astronomy is an ideal entree to teach about California. Ibis Holt Nianwl draws on the the process of science. Many teachers recog- experiences of teachers and astromnners who nize their students' interest in astronomy and participated in the pilot phase. 'Iwo replica- want to teach more ot it. but lack adequate tions ot Project Acd) are underway in background and training in the subject.
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