Abstracts
STScI Education
Evaluation
2006 IDEAS Statistics & Abstracts
| This year, the IDEAS Grant Program drew 39 proposal submissions. Fifteen proposals were accepted for funding. The ratio of proposals awarded funding compared to the total number of submissions was approximately 2:5. |
ABSTRACTS
Astronomy Behind the Headlines While many astronomy-related podcasts are now available, there are few, if any, that target informal science educators as their primary audience. These educators are on the front lines when it comes to answering questions from the public regarding the latest science news, yet they often have neither the training and resources to thoroughly address each new announcement and discovery, nor the time and funding for professional development. Astronomy Behind the Headlines is a twenty-four month collaboration project between the education department of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), astronomer Dana Backman, and the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). It will provide informal science educators with free online professional development modules which include podcasts, online resources, and interactive follow-up sessions—all designed to assist them in quickly responding to and interpreting the latest astronomy and space science news. Stereoscopic, High Definition Astro-Visualization Media Products The goal of this project is to increase the museum visitors’ understanding of the astronomical spatial scales, positions of objects in the Universe, and the interrelationship of various astrophysical phenomena. We will demonstrate the processes of scientific research and the interplay between observation, theory, and simulation by comparing visualizations of observed astronomy with time-based astrophysical simulations. Stereoscopic display increases the viewer’s ability to parse the complex three dimensional information being presented. We will produce data-driven high definition (HD), stereoscopic media products. We will integrate recent high resolution Hubble Space Telescope galaxy data with numerical astrophysics supercomputer simulations in a three dimensional virtual tour. Staff at the Advanced Scientific Visualization Laboratory (ASVL), National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA), will collaborate with Adler Planetarium on content and design, format, and render HD stereoscopic animations of astrophysical and astronomical data. The Adler will add narration and distribute them in a variety of formats. Narration will be provided at two levels, one for the general museum visitor and another version for the science-attentive public. Each of these will be recorded in both English and Spanish to increase the breadth of audiences. These astro-visualization media products will be shown in a new hybrid exhibit/development space at the Adler Planetarium, the Space Visualization Laboratory (SVL). We will freely distribute these visualizations throughout the informal science community, both through the GeoWall consortium and through demonstrations at the annual meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 2007 and the biennial meeting of the International Planetarium Association in 2008. Telescope Observations and Astronomy Demonstrations for Hospitalized Children The purpose of this proposed NASA IDEAS grant is to provide funding for a comprehensive astronomy outreach program for children with special medical needs who are receiving medical treatment at the Schneider’s Children's Hospital and the Pediatric Institute of Winthrop University Hospital. The astronomy/space science program includes hands-on astronomy activities; telescope observations; remote and robotic telescope observations; and astronomy demonstrations using a portable planetarium with a dome that can accommodate a wheelchair and IV pole. Innovative edible demonstrations using chocolate, marshmallows, and popcorn will be used to present astronomy and space science concepts to enhance learning and achieve a greater educational impact. The program will include activities designed for ages ranging from elementary school to high school and will help children and their families cope with a hospital experience to minimize the stress often associated with illness, injury or surgery and to enhance normal patterns of living and to promote the children's optimum growth and development. An important component of this program will be train the Child Life and hospital staff to use a telescope, internet astronomy resources, and astronomy software so that the some of these activities can be done on a continuing basis and continued after the end of the program. These activities will be evaluated to determine which activities are best for hospitalized children so that this program can be expanded to additional children’s hospitals. This education and public outreach program will improve public science education and science awareness for these children and their family members. Cosmic Times: Inquiring into the Nature of Science through Dark Energy We propose to develop curriculum support materials to probe the nature of science through the story of dark energy. The centerpiece of these materials will be a series of posters and lesson plans following the scientific developments on the expansion of the universe, starting with the confirmation of Einstein’s work on gravity in 1919. Each poster will look like the front page of a newspaper and contain articles on the key developments at that time which altered our understanding of the universe. Five additional posters will detail Hubble’s discovery of the expansion of the universe in 1929, developments at the time of Einstein’s death in 1955, the discovery of the cosmic microwave background in 1965, COBE’s measurements of background fluctuations in 1992, and the discovery and understanding of dark energy near the turn of the century. The scientific developments within this story contain topics within the grade 7-12 curriculum including the origin and evolution of the universe, the cosmic distance scale, the nature of supernovae, motion and forces, and the history of science. The accompanying lesson plans will utilize inquiry and language arts skills to address not only these science topics, but also the nature of science via the theme of how ideas about the universe change as data improves. The story of our understanding of the nature of the universe currently stands with an open question about dark energy, and hence is a perfect avenue for showing the process of science. Mysteries of Science: Investigating Planetary Surfaces We propose to develop an educational website that allows students, teachers and the public to explore how scientists learn about the surface composition (volatile elements and chemical compounds) of the cold worlds in our solar system: Mars and the icy moons of the gas giant planets. “Mysteries of Science” will explain and make accessible spectral data that the scientific community uses to map the surfaces of the cold worlds of the solar system. By tackling the challenging topic of spectral data, we intend to provide various tools and explanations for the public (primary audience: students and educators) that will allow access to the data as well as provide rich, in-depth background information that explains and illustrates how scientists use this data to solve the mysteries of these planetary surfaces. The website will feature an existing, and always expanding database of key surface materials of Mars and the icy moons that may be observed in reflectance spectra. The existing data base features more than 100 chemicals and compounds that we expect to detect on these cold worlds via various instruments on NASA space missions. The site will be hosted at the SETI Institute, and will be publicized/disseminated by a variety of educational and public outreach strategies that reach the target audience: students and educators. Online evaluation of the site will be conducted by practicing educators. Future spin-off products include a poster series that will be beta tested on this site, and proposed for funding elsewhere. North Carolina Shoots for the Stars: A Partnership of The Science House and 4-H Youth Development at NC State University The NC State University Department of Physics, North Carolina 4-H, and The Science House at NC State University will work together to develop astronomy materials for use with students in grades 3-6 (age 8-12) in summer camps, 4-H club meetings, and local summer programming. The Science House has tested the materials with upper elementary and middle school teachers. 4-H has vast experience in working with student groups. By developing the materials into a curriculum for use in informal science venues, students will have the opportunity to expand their experience with astronomy beyond the basics offered in standard NC school courses. The materials will be developed for broad distribution statewide. In the next steps, the curriculum will be developed for nationwide distribution through the national 4-H network. Stars in their Hands: Using the MONET Robotic Telescopes for National Astronomy Education We propose to train selected US teachers in the operation of the MONET network. This operational pair of telescopes is designed for classroom accessibility. Students will use them to take astronomical images, leading to science opportunities. Participating teachers will become lead teachers for the growing generation of internet accessible telescopes, developing expertise that can be used to develop and plan those telescopes and the associated curriculum in an optimal, standards-compliant way. They will help make the MONET network, in particular, optimally valuable to US educators. Teachers will be trained in the internet operation of MONET, and will do so from an established classroom environment at the MONET-N site, experiencing firsthand the design and operation of the 1.2m telescopes. The science-grade imagers on the telescopes will be used to get data that participants will manipulate with distributable image processing software. The program will fund two separate 3-day MONET workshops at the McDonald Observatory site. The first will target selected Texas high school teachers, and the second will target a broader national community of teachers. The MONET experience will be used as a model for NASA astronomy efforts, in which robotic and remote control operation of telescopes is the norm. The Standard Touch: Developing Enriching Space Science E/PO Products for Learners who are Blind/Visually Impaired Space science concepts are exciting and adventurous for learners of all ages. While today's technology provides access to previously abstract concepts the challenge is greater for learners who are blind/visually impaired (B/VI). Through this project, a set of guidelines and standards, for accessible space science materials, will be developed to complement the current codes and standards for Braille and tactile graphics. The use of this guidelines document by Education and Public Outreach (E/PO) professionals will allow for access to materials that teach astronomy/space science concepts by this group of underserved learners. To address the needs of B/VI communities, and to promote their participation in NASA’s missions, our team proposes to meet the following goals: 1) Increase the awareness of E/PO professionals working on NASA missions about the needs of persons who are B/VI and 2) facilitate learners who are B/VI to experience the excitement of space science concepts and discoveries through NASA missions. We will:1) Hold a meeting of key professionals (B/VI experts, Braille, Tactile Graphics); 2) Develop a document that provides: a) Standards for creating Braille and tactile graphics using space science concepts, b) Guidelines for making space science digital media rich and meaningful for persons who are B/VI and c) A list of key resources and a database of contacts essential for product success; 3)Identify common space science concepts; 4) Create several examples, using key space science concepts, for reference by E/PO professionals; and 5) Disseminate document and examples through existing networks (including NFB and NASA CORE). Enabling Navajo Skies In this proposal, Navajo astronomy experts affiliated with the Indigenous Education Institute (IEI) seek a way to share some of the richness and depth of their Navajo sky knowledge while preserving the integrity and proprietary nature of that knowledge. The University of Notre Dame offers use of its newly acquired digital planetarium technology to enable this quest. We will experiment with capturing the essence of the Navajo sky in digital planetarium modules. Navajo constellation figures and artwork will be displayed in a manner that evokes Navajo perceptions of the sky. Attention will be paid to the placement of the figures, the sequencing of their displays in time and space, the orientation of the sky, heliacal risings, and connections to views from Hubble Space Telescope and other NASA missions. First, we will develop and pilot modules that can be used as tools for live presentations by the Navajo astronomers at Notre Dame and in compatible domes elsewhere. Then, with the experience gained, prerecorded narrations and automated sequences will be added to produce a short proof-of-concept demonstration show. Once the knowledge is captured in this way, its authenticity will be automatically preserved. We will protect the knowledge from abuse by imposing copyright provisions that restrict use of the planetarium modules to non-profit educational settings and give sole authority for distribution to IEI. We hope that these procedures will serve as a model for how Indigenous knowledge might be preserved and protected while also being made available for educational uses. Estrellas Asombrosas In the 2002 article, "The State of Astronomy Education in the U.S," Dr. Andrew Fraknoi stated that science covered by the media is most often inaccurate "pseudo-science," pointing out that "informed education experts are rarely utilized to determine what goes on the air." Although the Second World Space Congress declared bilingual programs necessary to encourage Hispanics to enter engineering, math and science fields, students temporarily hindered by limited English skills have virtually no choices for quality educational, scientific programming. This two-year, $25,000 per year grant will allow Houston Community College to develop "Estrellas Asombrosas," Spanish-language astronomy programs. Twelve three-minute interstitial segments will be test-marketed in a major metropolitan service area of 1.5 million residents, over 38% of which are Spanish-speaking households. We will utilize formative evaluations to develop the program content. Dr. Reina, HCC Professor of Physics and Astronomy and host and creator of current TV show, "Astronomy Spoken Here," will serve as PI. Dr. Reiff is the author of museum dome and planetarium programs for the public. This program "pushes the envelope" by enhancing informal science learning for an underrepresented group. Imaging will be provided by Ikonos, a professional satellite corporation. The production will be produced at Houston PBS Channel 8. This project will serve Hispanic children and adults, the nation's fastest growing population and historically underserved by mainstream science education. The project will create a better understanding of astronomy, encourage better attitudes toward science and increase parent-and-child participation for individuals who are temporarily limited by a language barrier. Exploring Chaco-Based Astronomy as a Context for the Professional Development of Science & Math Educators in the American Southwest A unique partnership among a renowned archaeoastronomer, prominent astronomy educators, and a senior interpreter of Chaco Culture National Historical Park proposes to explore a synthesis of NASA space science and Chaco-based astronomy (cultural, amateur, archaeo) as a motivational context for science and mathematics education. We will design, implement, and evaluate an innovative, multi-cultural professional development experience based in Chaco for 20-25 formal and informal educators from the 4-Corners region (AZ,CO,NM,UT). We will use a database of over 300 4-corners educators (compiled by the regional Broker) to recruit from secondary schools, youth groups, and informal education institutions within a 4-hour drive of Chaco. We will design an adventurous, week-long program for June 2007 that provides diverse modes of instruction, rich math, science & technology content, access to research scientists, participation in field research experiences, and hands-on practice with standards-based educational materials. As follow-up, we will maintain email contact with participants via listserv. Three months later (September 2007) we will meet for a weekend in Chaco to share plans and observations stimulated by the week-long experience, and to recognize participants as Chaco Astronomy Ambassadors. This will begin building Chaco’s desired capacity for making educator development an integral part of its programming, and for engaging regional educators as official outreach partners. A graduate student from the University of Arizona will evaluate our project. We will disseminate results at appropriate conferences. We will also offer a weekend workshop in Chinle, AZ (near Canyon de Chelley) for educators from the western Navajo Nation. STAR Partners (Science, Technology, Aerospace Readers) Stewart Middle Magnet STAR Partners proposal has two broad goals: 1) Establish collaborative partnerships to raise students’ broad appreciation of science and 2) Enhance students’ science literacy. Two activity components operate within this framework to support these goals. The development of collaborative partnerships includes working with scientists, teachers and students to plan hands on experiences. Roles of all team members will adjust depending on the activity. Templates for partnership tasks that align with different types of activities will be developed. A rubric to determine activity success will be designed and a menu of successful activities by grade level will be created. Enhancing science literacy involves the implementation of the activities and vertical academic mentoring. Scientists work with teachers as well as students, teachers work with other teachers and students, students work with other students and teachers and scientists. Activity strands for students include video conferencing with space scientists at work, field studies, academic mentoring and colloquium participation. Participating students attend high poverty inner city schools. It is the intent to move science learning beyond the classroom and into the realm of life-long learning through active, authentic engagement. Seeing Fireworks through the Eyes of an Astronomer We propose to create diffraction grating masks that will be distributed to many thousands of visitors to the Central PA 4th Fest fireworks shows in 2007 and 2008. Using these masks, attendees will see each point of light from the shell transformed into a small spectrum. Besides the visual impact of the experience, the masks will have scientifically accurate information printed on the reverse side about the diffraction of light and the creation of spectra. We hope that this program will engage and inspire the audience to seek out more information and to perhaps take advantage of the many other astronomy outreach opportunities offered by the Penn State Department of Astronomy & Astrophysics. A week after the 4th Fest events, we hold our annual "AstroFest" four night festival of astronomy, which is open to the public. This event includes a spectroscopy station, so anyone wishing to learn more will be able to do so at AstroFest. As part of our evaluation plan, we intend to study if the mask program at 4th Fest leads to increased participation in events like AstroFest in the subsequent year. “Galactika” on the road: Bringing an astronomy play to underserved minorities We propose to expand our successful science outreach collaboration with the Classika-Synetic Theatre to include additional underserved schools in Northern Virginia and in Washington DC. Our past and current work with the Classika-Synetic Theatre has resulted in the production and performance of a play with strong astronomy content in the Spring of 2006. A study guide to be used by science teachers in their classrooms was produced in parallel to the play. The play, called Galactika, was brought back by popular demand for another month-long run in the Fall 2006. This proposal covers the expansion of this existing program to bring the play to the target student population that is for the large part underexposed to either science or arts. To do so efficiently, we propose to develop on-going relations with several science teachers in the selected schools. The PI (Dr. Harrus) will work closely with the teachers, improving the existing study guide that was developed in parallel to the play, in preparation for the performance of the production at the schools. This will ensure that the children are familiar with some astronomy ideas by the time the play is performed at their school. Our goal is to maximize the benefits of viewing the play for the children in the participating schools and making sure that in addition of the “entertainment” value of the play, the performance will help demystifying science to younger audience. Beyond the Classroom: Engaging young minds through Astronomy In every classroom there are students who cannot get enough astronomy. Often teachers have neither the training nor the resources needed to support these students' scientific interests. Using teacher and school contacts built up over the past six years, Cincinnati Observatory Center (COC) will act as catalyst to recruit students and initiate new astronomy clubs in underserved educational systems. This program, known as Beyond the Classroom, will also mentor and support those clubs already in existence, will develop a region-wide club to bring together students where no apparent school interest exists, and will create an email network for individual students to connect with astronomers on-line. Partnering with the University of Cincinnati and area professional and amateur astronomers, the program will offer training and support to both teachers and students throughout this network. Strengths of the program include active methods of teacher/student interaction, a peer-to-peer approach for the dissemination of astronomy information, access to COC’s historic telescopes and use of COC’s Dark Sky Site. The program will make effective use of available NASA resources through Solar System Ambassadors and other previous NASA/JPL relationships. Curriculum developed for clubs will be aligned to the Ohio State Educational Standards and the National Science Education Content Standards. Beyond the Classroom will challenge students who are already interested in astronomy; it will inform and support teachers, and will bring new and exciting opportunities to students from underserved areas. |