FAQs About
Project ASTRO
Q: I work
with young people in a community group setting. Can I
participate in Project ASTRO?
A:
Yes!
Q:
I teach at an all girl's school and I'd like to
partner with a female scientist because I think it would
provide a positive role model for my students. Can this be
arranged?
A: Yes.
Just indicate this request on your Project ASTRO application
or discuss it with the Project ASTRO BOSTON Coordinator over
email or by
calling the Project ASTRO office in Boston at
617-496-7867.
Project ASTRO is suitable for all schools, private or
public, regardless of gender or ecomonics. All effort will
be made to find an astronomer who meets the needs of the
class and its teacher and students.
Q:
If I
want to volunteer to be a Project ASTRO astronomer, how will
I know what astronomy to teach to the students?
A: Project
ASTRO is a partnership between a teacher and an astronomer. You do
not have to produce lesson plans, the teacher will do that.
Since this program is not a curriculum, it is suitable for
all classrooms in grades 4 through 9 who have an astronomy
unit. Many hands-on activities are provided for use
in the classroom and you and your
teacher will learn how to do these acitivies in training
workshops together.
If your teacher partner does not have an astronomy
curriculum, you will both learn about available curricula and
will be able to choose one to suit the needs of the
class.
Q:
I've visited schools a number of times to talk
about my research but I feel like there must be things I
could do to make my visits more meaningful. I'm really more
comfortable in lecture mode and am not sure I would be very
good at leading hands-on activities.
A: You have
a lot of company! The Project ASTRO How-To Manual
has lots of tips on how to get started. If you join the
Project ASTRO program, share your concerns with your teacher
partner and develop a checklist in advance of your visit.
Consider meeting with your teacher partner so you know what
to expect when you get to the school. You may even want to
observe the class before you begin making visits. As part of
the Project ASTRO program, each site (Boston included) holds
a summer workshop and a follow-up workshop in January ao you
can learn more about what works (and what doesn't) in the
classroom. The Project ASTRO staff in Boston is interested
in working with you to make your partnership a worthwhile
experience.
Do you have a question that hasn't
been answered here? Email the Project ASTRO BOSTON Site
Leader at cclemens @ cfa.harvard.edu (remove spaces).
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