Astronomy for STEM

Project Lets You Explore The Cosmos from Your Computer-In a project that aims to pull a new generation of students toward science and technology, Microsoft and NASA have teamed up to create what they say is the largest seamless, spherical map ever made of the night sky, as well as a true-color, high-resolution map of Mars that users can explore on their computers in 3D.

• Terapixel
• World Wide Telescope
  

Station Spacewalk Game-This video game features simulations of actual EVAs conducted by NASA astronauts on missions to provide power to the space station. The graphics used in this game are based on real NASA missions and incorporate 3D graphics used by the Agency.

This resource article accompanies the feature "Young Astronomers Study the Night Sky -- and Collaborate with Peers Online."

To support your astronomy curriculum, check out the following Web sites for science project ideas, lesson plans, and more:

GLOBE at Night
Find easy-to-follow instructions for participating in this project at this site, where students can also record their observations of the night sky. Prior to the star-hunting event, students can log on to learn about Orion's role in Greek mythology, star magnitude, and other topics.

International Year of Astronomy 2009
A list of global projects designed to promote awareness of astronomy and dark skies -- and commemorate the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo Galilei. Some activities are too advanced for elementary school students.

The GLOBE Program
Abundant resources for integrating related lessons about such topics as atmosphere and climate, clouds, and hydrology.

400 Years of the Telescope
Information about a new documentary that follows astronomical discoveries starting from Galileo's first peek through the telescope. The site offers a viewing schedule and "Profiles in Astronomy" that may serve as excellent bases for history lessons.

Hands-On Optics
Six modules for teaching about optics. Lessons range from studies of lasers to magnification and communicating with light.

The International Dark-Sky Association
Lessons about the solar system and the effects of light pollution on wildlife, as well as science, writing, and art projects for students ages 7-12.

National Optomical Astronomy Observatory
Contact Connie Walker at (520) 318-8000 to apply for a Light Pollution Education Tool Kit, which contains instructions, CDs, tips for demonstrations on light pollution, and a sky-quality meter.

Developing the Process

Video feed @ www.edutopia.com

Process teaching will be the cornerstone of the STEM science program. Are there curriculum projects in Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics available to provide a rigorous program of study that is right out of the can? Should we develop our own programs of study?

Modeling Projects

What is STELLA?- STELLA is a flexible computer modeling package with an easy, intuitive interface that allows users to construct dynamic models that realistically simulate biological systems (visit the High Performance System website for more information). Given the combination of ease of use and modeling power, the STELLA system is ideal to interface with student investigative experiences. In its most basic form, modeling in STELLA proceeds in three steps: constructing a qualitative model, parameterizing it, and exploring the model's dynamics.

STELLA Models developed at Williamsport High School in Maryland

7th Grade Models

Modeling Across the Curriculum is a five-year research project to study the impact of computer modeling tools on secondary-level science learning. Partners in the project include the Concord Consortium, Harvard University, Northwestern University, the Center for Learning Technologies in Urban Schools (LeTUS), the Fitchburg Public Schools, the Boston Public Schools, and the Lowell Public Schools. Modeling Across the Curriculum is funded by the Interagency Education Research Initiative (IERI), a jointly supported project of the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, under NSF Grant No. REC-0115699.

Netlogo is a cross-platform multi-agent programmable modeling environment. NetLogo was authored by Uri Wilensky in 1999 and is under continuous development at the CCL (the people who brought you StarLogoT). NetLogo also powers the HubNet participatory simulation system. NetLogo is free of charge. For a fuller description, click here.

The Concord Consortium is a nonprofit educational research and development organization based in Concord, Massachusetts. We create interactive materials that exploit the power of information technologies. Our primary goal in all our work is digital equity — improving learning opportunities for all students.
Free model-based learning and modeling software - We are delighted to be able to offer a growing collection of free software and student materials that use this software. Finding it is a bit of a treasure hunt. Sorry. The software is being developed in different projects, so we have not collected it all in one place. The following describes the major places to look.
MIT Open Courseware for STEM

• For Teachers
  Our goal is to make it easy for you to find resources you can use to inspire your students.
  
  • We've selected a range of materials to help you:
  • Show science demonstrations by MIT faculty in your classroom.
  • Provide alternate explanations to reinforce key concepts.
  • Guide students to additional homework problems and exam examples.
  • Add to your knowledge.
  • You can use this site to help your students:
  • Understand concepts by watching video demonstrations.
  • Study for AP exams.
  • Sample the kind of work they'll be doing in college.
  
  For Students
  
  • Highlights for High School is your guide to MIT courses selected specifically to help you prepare for AP exams, learn more about the skills and concepts you learned in school, and get a glimpse of what you'll soon study in college.
  • Need a break from studying?
  • Check out videos of competitions at MIT like the Solar Decathlon. Ever see a bullet smash through a rose dipped in nitrogen? Check out the Strobe Project Laboratory. Studying for the Physics AP exam? Watch an MIT professor explain pendulums by swinging across his classroom.