E. Grundstrom, E. Baines, D. R. Gies (Georgia State Univ.)
Interactive learning is crucial to the retention of knowledge (especially scientific) and learning in astronomy is no exception. We have developed three classroom activities that cover common astronomy concepts that are difficult to master: Phases of the Moon, Eclipses, and Impacts and Probability. These activities were planned to integrate into an introductory astronomy course for non-majors at Georgia State University. Each activity consists of hands-on models that small groups of students may utilize to complete a conceptual exercise that requires them to make predictions. We envision these three activities as prototypes for lecture activities throughout the introductory astronomy sequence. We report here on the scope of the activities and their effectiveness in the lecture tutorial context.
This research has been sponsored by the Georgia Partnership for Reform In Science and Mathematics (PRISM) which is funded by the National Science Foundation.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: erika@chara.gsu.edu
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #2
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.