Transcript Title goes here - Space Mysteries

LEARNERS “Space Mysteries”
Lynn Cominsky & Laura Whitlock
Sonoma State University
Project Overview

Teach Physical Science &
Mathematics

Inquiry-driven

Use the Web in a “videogame”
adventure
Approach

Interaction, Innovation, Internet
– Not just for CDs anymore
– AASA Survey

Use real satellite data, interviews
with real scientists, real analysis
techniques
A Few Details

Structurally flexible

Special materials for teachers, workshops to
teach them how to use them

Standards everywhere
– National Science Education Standards for Grades 9-12
– National Mathematics Standards
FOR MORE INFO...
http://perry.sonoma.edu/learners/
Current Status

Ideas/scenarios under development
and review
– 5 ideas developed
– Currently under review by scientists &
educators
– 3 will be pursued

Completion of this stage Feb 1, 2000
Sample Scenario #1

Alien Bandstand
A recording studio
executive is looking for his
next big hit has turned to
the heavens. He has found
a signal in some X-ray
telescope satellite data
that he claims is actually
music from an alien
civilization. He is offering it
for sale. Is it or is it not
alien tunes?
Sample Scenario #2

Escape from the
Doomed Planet
A space colonist living on
a planet far across the
Galaxy notices unusual
events starting to occur in
the sky and on his world.
You must help him
determine what is
happening and what
course of action he must
take.
Sample Scenario #3

The Big Blast
A deep space traveler
awakes from the flightfreezer when long-range
sensors sound the alert
of a dangerous
environment. You must
discover what is
happening and what
course of action to take.
Sample Scenario #4

Star Market Scandal
A new Internet company
stars4sale.com is offering
a number of Milky Way
stars for sale. It has been
noticed that someone is
buying a large number of
stars for unexpectedly
high prices. It is your job
to uncover why and
whether action should be
taken.
Team

A collaboration of scientists,
educators, and industry
– Dr. Lynn R. Cominsky and Dr. Laura A.
Whitlock/ Sonoma State University
– Dr. Nick White/NASA-GSFC
– Videodiscovery, Incorporated
– High School Teachers
Jay Goldberg - Sebastopol, CA
EJ Dodds - Vallejo, CA
Romanita Harrod - Hyattsville, MD
Jane Mahon - Hoover, AL
Where We Can Be Reached
Web: http://perry.sonoma.edu/learners/
 Email: [email protected] or

[email protected]

Post Office:
Sonoma State University
Dept of Physics & Astronomy
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Call: 707-664-2256 (LAW) or 707-664-2655 (LRC)