Education
Highlights |
Current
Issue: Spring 2010
Kepler Mission: A First Step Toward Finding Other Earths
Whenever the question comes up "Are there intelligent beings out there
beyond our solar system?" people's imaginations fire up. But, currently, we
have skimpy to non-existent information about extraterrestrial life.
The search is on, but, so far, ET has not been found. NASA's Kepler Mission
is underway to detect Earth-size extrasolar planets that could support life.
In this issue of the Universe in the Classroom, find out about the Kepler
Mission and how it is searching for Earth-size planets orbiting distant
stars. |
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|  Galileo Teacher Training Program
The Galileo Teacher Training Program is a pilot program established during the International Year of Astronomy, testing a new model of teacher professional development designed to facilitate the teaching of the process of science using Galileo's iconic observations and other resources. |
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Astronomy
from the Ground Up (AFGU) provides informal science educators and interpreters with new and innovative ways to communicate astronomy. AFGU is a growing community of hundreds of educators from museums, science centers, nature centers, and parks around the U.S., who are actively enhancing and expanding their capacity to address astronomy topics for their visitors.
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Project
ASTRO™ Find out more about this highly successful
national program that partners astronomers and teachers in the
classroom
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San
Francisco Bay Area ASTRO is a Project ASTRO National
Network Site that is run by the ASP
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Family
ASTRO Discover a new program at the ASP that is developing
events and activities to share the excitement of hands-on astronomy
with families
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Sharing
the Universe (STU) will help amateur astronomers
find ways to improve the quality and effectiveness of their education
and public outreach (EPO) activities by looking at what successful
clubs are doing and what "best practices" might be transferable
to other clubs or amateurs that may be struggling with EPO. New
EPO support resources and networking options will also be tested
and made available to astronomy clubs nationwide.
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SOFIA
Explore the invisible universe of infra-red astronomy in a 747
at high altitudes
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The
Survey of College Astronomy Teachers Add your voice
to a growing network of educators who teach introductory astronomy
at community colleges and other institutions without extensive
research programs
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Cosmos
in the Classroom Symposia Learn to teach introductory
astronomy for nonscience majors more effectively
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Night
Sky Network New Outreach ToolKits and training available
from the ASP and NASA. Amateur Astronomy Clubs interested in enhancing
or expanding their public outreach and education activities are
invited to apply for membership in the "Night Sky Network,"
a new program specifically designed for amateur astronomers. Read
more...
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Silicon
Valley Astronomy Lectures Downloadable non-technical lectures
by noted astronomers covering recent developments in our understanding
of the universe.
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SEED
Grants The ASP SEED Grant program supports the ASP's mission
to improve the understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of astronomy
by encouraging active researchers to engage in public outreach,
K-14 formal education, or informal education programs or activities.
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International
Year of Astronomy (2009) Discovery Guides
The ASP and NASA have collaborated to create monthly guides highlighting
a different theme and object in the sky for each month of 2009.
The IYA Discovery Guides contain an article, finder chart for
the featured object, a hands on activity that brings the theme
of the month as well as links to additional activities related
to the topic. Most activities include a short video that can be
downloaded showing it in use.
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Astronomy
Behind the Headlines is
a podcast for informal science educators. Each episode gives
you a look behind the latest headlines in astronomy and space
science and provides links to related resources and activities
so you can interpret these exciting topics for your audiences.
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Galileo Teacher Training Program is a pilot program established during the International Year of Astronomy, testing a new model of teacher professional development designed to facilitate the teaching of the process of science using Galileo's iconic observations and other resources. Workshops have been conducted and are planned for the Bay Area as well as at venues around the country, using a web site (www.gttpusa.org) to help develop graduates of the program as a community of practice.
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Sky Rangers, a part of the Astronomy from the Ground Up (AFGU) program, provides astronomy training and materials to park rangers and other outdoor educators and interpreters.
