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Project Astro in Tucson |
Be a Visiting Astronomer
in Tucson Area Schools
Astronomers and Teachers as Partners for
Learning
A program to match 4th - 9th grade teachers with amateur and
professional astronomers in Tucson Area schools and community organizations
At a time when study after study shows that there is a serious crisis in
science education in the schools, all of us who love astronomy must make
more of an effort to help share the excitement of science with future
generations. Project ASTRO seeks to enhance science and astronomy
education by fostering ongoing partnerships between teachers and
astronomers, astronomy clubs, universities, observatories, and planetaria.
Project ASTRO, developed by the
Astronomical Society
of the Pacific as a 3-year pilot program in the San Francisco Bay
Area, is expanding to several new sites around the country including Tucson
with support of the National Science
Foundation and NASA.
Each year of Project ASTRO's expansion into Tucson, 25 teachers will be
paired with professional and amateur astronomers to develop ongoing
partnerships that enhance astronomy and science education in local
schools and community organizations. The Project ASTRO-Tucson
Coalition will build on the extensive local astronomy resources which
include The University of Arizona:
Steward
Observatory, Lunar and
Planetary Lab, and Flandrau
Science Center;
Pompea & Associates;
Discovery Park - Gov Aker Observatory;
Smithsonian Institute: Whipple Observatory;
Tucson Amateur
Astronomy Association; and the National
Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO): Kitt Peak National
Observatory, National Solar
Observatory, and U.S.
Gemini Program.
We are searching for amateur or professional astronomers who would like
to participate in an innovative volunteer program to enhance science
education in Tucson Area schools and community centers. Project ASTRO
will pair visiting astronomers with local teachers to
share the wonders of astronomy with students.
Astronomers and teachers will participate in a hands-on training
workshop, receive a wide variety of activities and resource materials, and
work together to plan activities and programs for their school.
Astronomers commit to make at least four visits plus an
observing/planning visit to their partner school during the school year.
Visiting astronomers might help to lead hands-on activities, organize
evening observing sessions, create a school astronomy club, present
auditorium or career day programs, arrange field trips, or assist with
science fair projects. The project's emphasis will be on a hands-on,
activities-based approach that research has shown is most effective in
helping students learn the process of science.
Application Materials for 2003 workshop are available via:
Downloading:
Astronomer Application form [121 KB pdf file]
or Writing:
Project ASTRO, Volunteer Astronomer Applications
NOAO Educational Outreach Office
950 N. Cherry Avenue
P.O. Box 26732
Tucson, AZ 85726-6732
FAX (520) 318-8360
or Contacting:
Connie Walker, Project ASTRO-Tucson Coordinator
(520) 318-8535
Internet: cwalker@noao.edu
Visiting astronomers should
have:
- Some experience in explaining astronomy to beginners and working
with children or teens
- A genuine interest in working with children (ages 10-15)
- Time to commit to at least one planning meeting and four school visits
in a six-month period
- Time to make evening telephone contact with their partner teacher
between visits
- Ability to attend the training workshop
- A degree in astronomy is NOT required
- You may want to participate in a partnership with another astronomer
from your group or institution
Visiting astronomers commit to:
- Arrange with their employer to attend a two-day training
workshop.
- Make at least four school day visits and one planning/observation
visit during a six-month period at times to be arranged with your
partner teacher
- Remain in the program during the school year
- Attend follow-up workshops
- Be available for their teachers by telephone between visits
- Recruit, when possible, other local astronomers to assist with
activities such as observing sessions or field trips
- Cooperate with project staff to help assess the program
Project ASTRO'S visiting astronomers
will:
- Be paired with a 4th to 9th grade teacher at a school or community
center in their area
- Participate in a two-day workshop focusing on
hands-on activities to engage and motivate students
- Participate in informal follow-up workshops during the school year
- Work with their partner teacher to plan school visits and other
activities during the school year
- Receive support and assistance from Project ASTRO staff (including
materials, telephone support, and information about what is succeeding at other school sites)
- Receive a wide variety of materials and resources for use in your
visits, including:
- hands-on activities and materials appropriate to the grade levels you will
be visiting
- articles about recent astronomical developments
- resource lists
- audiovisual materials
- tips on working with schools and students
- materials to help you understand student learning styles
- Meet and network with other astronomers who are interested in education
Return to Project Astro-Tucson.
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