Support Program for Instructional Competency in Astronomy (Project SPICA)

Spica II是Spica计划(天文学教学能力支持计划)的延续，该计划旨在促进在所有年级使用以实践为基础的科学学习。该项目旨在增加物理科学的授课数量和质量，依靠天文学的吸引力为实现其目标提供工具。在为期三年的每个夏天，30名不同的教师将参加为期三周的学院，在那里他们将熟悉和使用实际操作的教育材料，并学习相关的教学方法。这些教师然后成为Spica的代理，向他们家乡地区、地区和州的其他教师提供强调动手活动的研讨会。一些教师在大学一级任教，并将通过大学继续教育计划开发和提供在职课程。此外，还将编写一本教师活动手册，并将其投入商业使用。销售该手册的资金将用于为正在进行的Spica网络提供资金。

SPICA II is a continuation of Project SPICA (Support Program for Instructional Competency in Astronomy), a program that promotes the use of hands-on, activity-based science learning at all grade levels. The program, which is designed to increase the amount and quality of physical science being taught, relies on the attractiveness of astronomy to provide the vehicle for achieving its goals. Each summer for three years thirty different teachers will participate in three week institutes where they will become familiar with and use hands-on educational materials and learn related teaching methods. These teachers then become SPICA 'agents', delivering workshops which emphasize hands-on activities to other teachers in their home regions, districts, and states. Some of the teachers teach at the college-level and will develop and deliver in-service courses through university continuing education programs. In addition, a teacher's handbook of activities will be produced and made commercially available. Funds from sales of the handbook will be used to help finance the ongoing SPICA network.