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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GALILEO

A Hands-on Workshop on Astronomy for Teachers in Grades 3-12 (And Those Who Work with Them)

Saturday, July 31 and Sunday, August 1, 2010, 9 am to 5 pm
At the Sommers-Bausch Observatory on the University of Colorado Campus
Co-sponsored by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Fiske Planetarium, and the Lunar Science Institute

Overview

In this hands-on workshop, teachers in grades 3 - 12 will learn how to do age-appropriate, inquiry-based activities in astronomy and physical science. No background in astronomy will be assumed. There will be sessions for both those new to teaching astronomy and veteran science teachers.

Workshop Participants will Explore:

1. An introduction to Galileo’s life, work, and legacy

2. The realms of astronomy and our changing perceptions of the universe

3. Student reasoning and how to help students act like scientists

4. The process of science (and how to teach it using hands-on activities in a collaborative, problem-solving environment)

5. Recreating Galileo’s observations, such as understanding the moons of Jupiter, the phases of Venus, the phases of the Moon, and sunspots

6. Getting Oriented in the Night Sky

7. Measuring the Dark: Activities to Understand the Environmental Effects of Light Pollution

8. Recent NASA moon missions (with information and activities about the Moon from the NASA Lunar Science Institute)

9. The Galileoscope: A Telescope for All Seasons and All Reasons

10. Where to Find the Best Astronomy Activities in Print and on the Web

Participants will Receive:

• A GalileoScope (a small telescope especially developed for easy student and public viewing)

• A package of hands-on activities, background information, and resource guides that can be put to immediate use in the classroom

• A certificate that they have completed the required 15 hours of training to be Galileo Teacher Ambassadors (with access to the national Galileo Teachers web site and resources)

Facilitators Include:

• Andrew Fraknoi (Chair, Astronomy Dept, Foothill College; 2007 California Professor of the Year)

• Constance Walker (National Optical Astronomy Observatories; Coordinator, GLOBE at Night)

• Douglas Duncan (Director, Fiske Planetarium, University of Colorado)

• Greg Schultz (Director of Education, Astronomical Society of the Pacific)

• Brian Kruse (Lead Formal Educator, Astronomical Society of the Pacific)

• Dennis Schatz (Vice-President, Pacific Science Center, Seattle)

• Others to be Announced

While the workshop is primarily for practicing teachers, we will accept a limited number of EPO staff who work with teachers and would like to learn more about doing such workshops in their own institutions. The Galileo Teacher Training Program is a new model for teacher professional development established during the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. It is designed to facilitate teaching the process of science as well as subject matter, using Galileo’s observations of the heavens as a springboard.

Cost is $70 for the weekend, including the telescope and handouts. (Lunch is not included, but there will be places to buy lunch on and near campus.)

Any questions? Please direct them to: 2010meeting {at} astrosociety.org