Comparative Planetology: Establishing a Virtual Presence in the Solar System
February 2 - May 8, 1998
As viewed by the modern astronomer, the Solar System is more than 70
diverse worlds interacting as a dynamic system. This online course for
K-12 in-service teachers will focus on fundamental questions driving
NASA's exploration of the Solar System: How did the Solar System form?
What's in it, and how is it arranged? What does the study of other
worlds (planets, moons, asteroids, and comets) teach us about our own?
How do we learn about other worlds? How are these worlds similar and
different? How do they interact, forming mini-systems within the Solar
System? What are their surfaces, atmospheres, and interiors like, and
how do we know?
By taking advantage of NASA's virtual presence in the Solar System,
course participants will conduct individual investigations and explore
how K-12 students can use similar tools to conduct authentic scientific
inquiries. Course participants will learn how to integrate NASA
products (online images, WWW databases, and other resources) effectively
in the classroom by adapting resources for classroom use. Sponsored by
Montana State University NASA CERES Project (see description at the end
of this course).
INSTRUCTORS:
Elizabeth E. Roettger, Ph.D. is an astronomy education consultant with
Ed-Ventures in Chicago, Illinois and an instructor for Columbia College
and Loyola University. After earning her Ph.D. in astrophysics from
John Hopkins University, she worked at both NASA's Goddard Space Flight
Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory studying comets and asteroids
at ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths. Prior to joining Ed-Ventures,
she worked as an astronomer and public educator at the Adler Planetarium
and Astronomy Museum. She currently serves as a project lead scientist
with the Montana State University NASA Center for Educational Resources
(CERES) project.
Donna Governor is an award-winning 5th grade teacher for the Escambia
County School District in Pensacola, Florida. She has worked on
several exemplary Internet-based science curriculum materials
development projects including the Montana State University NASA Center
for Educational Resources (CERES) project.
CREDIT:
Physics 580 - 2 graduate semester credits.
PREREQUISITES:
Bachelor's degree, professional teaching
certificate, and at least one year of K-12 teaching experience.
TIME COMMITMENT:
6 to 10 hours per week.
TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course will benefit all levels of K-12
education, however, it is designed primarily for upper elementary and
middle school science teachers with an interest in integrating
mathematics and science education with computer technology and Internet
resources. Previous experience in astronomy is not required as
necessary scientific background will be provided and effective
pedagogical strategies will be discussed for using computer technology
with students at all levels K-12. Registrants must be Certified
Teachers or have permission from the instructors. NOTE: Space is
limited to 25 participants for this pilot course. You will be notified
regarding selection by Jan. 13, 1998.
TEXTS:
Zelik, M.: Astronomy: The Evolving Universe, Eighth Edition. Wiley Publishing.
Beatty and Chaikin, Eds.: The New Solar System, 3rd Edition. Sky Publishing.
COST:
Montana State University NASA CERES Project is
underwriting the costs, including tuition, telecomputing costs, texts
and materials. A registration deposit of $50 is required and will be
refunded upon successful completion of the course.
SPECIAL COMPUTER REQUIREMENT:
A Macintosh PowerPC with a CD-ROM drive, or a Pentium PC running Windows 95 with
a CD-ROM drive and at least 16 MB of RAM. You must be able to run a
graphics program, NIH or SCION Image (see
http://rsb.info.nih.gov/nih-image or http://www.scioncorp.com, for more
detailed information) and have direct Internet access (SLIP or PPP
connection) to participate in this course.
NASA CENTER FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES PROJECT
The Montana State University CERES Project will develop distance
learning courses and accompanying useful and effective classroom
materials for K-12 teachers aligned with the National Science Education
Standards to support the NASA Space Science Enterprise. In order to
meet this goal, the MSU NASA CERES Project will facilitate collaboration
between master teachers and leading scientists as the courses and
accompanying classroom materials are developed. For more information
contact Jodi Bechtle: Telephone: (406) 994-3113 Email:
bechtle@math.montana.edu.
Return to the list of NTEN courses.