Transcript CroftAGU06 - National Optical Astronomy Observatory

Out Among the Asteroids Research Experiences for
Middle School
S. K. Croft and S. M. Pompea
National Optical Astronomy Observatory
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
General Motivations
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NOAO Interest in research in the
Classroom
Need Good Projects for Middle
School
EPO Support for LSST
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
Why Asteroids?
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Intrinsic Student Interest: They Move! Dinosaur
Connection!
One of Major LSST Science Objectives
Fits Middle School Curriculum: Solar System
Availability of Data: Existing & Future Data
Archives and Student Accessible Telescopes
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
Problems & Questions
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Professional Surveys saturate discovery,
so need different focus
Can we make Data Mining accessible and
enticing enough?
Can “Cutting Edge” research Really be
done in Middle School?
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
Proposed Solution
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Asteroid Characterization: colors (not spectra) &
types, rotation, size, composition
Middle School Earth Science Connection:
Asteroids to Meteorites to Earth Rocks and
Geologic Processes (not just SS)
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
Project Components
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Student Research: Remote Observing
Student Research: Data Mining
Classroom Activities/Content
Professional Development: workshops,
online course
Web Site & Data Archive
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
Status
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Development & Test Teams
Curriculum
Web Site
Initial Observational Tests
Classroom Alpha Testing Get Students Involved
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006
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NOAO Contact
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Email: [email protected]
Web Site: http://www.noao.edu/education/noaoeo.html
American Geophysical Union
December 11, 2006