Astronomy and Writing: An Innovative Approach to Science Instruction

天文学和写作：科学教学的创新方法这个项目的目标是帮助即将入学的学生发展批判性思维能力和更好地理解基本科学原理。该项目的目标是构建一本同时利用数学和写作的天文学练习册。在新墨西哥州立大学，很大一部分学生是西班牙裔，因此正在特别注意构建适合这一群体的练习。练习册将使用“跨课程写作”(WAC)技巧。大量的调查发现，写作和学习之间存在着很强的联系。写作也被证明是物理和数学教学中的一种有效工具。该项目旨在发掘写作作为天文学学习工具的价值。在这个层面上，将WAC技术融入天文学初级班，是一项独特的实验。其目的是将该项目作为新墨西哥州立大学未来物理科学工作的原型，并将这里开发的材料转移到其他机构。

Astronomy and Writing: An Innovative Approach to Science Instruction The goal of this project is to help incoming students develop critical thinking skills and a better understanding of basic scientific principles. The goal of the project is to construct an astronomy workbook which utilizes both math and writing. At New Mexico State University a large portion of the student body is Hispanic, so particular care is being given to constructing exercises appropriate to this group. The workbook will utilize the techniques of "Writing-Across-the-Curriculum" (WAC). Numerous investigations have found that a strong relation exists between writing and learning. Writing has also been shown to be an effective tool in physics and math instruction. The project is designed to exploit the values of writing as a learning tool in astronomy. The incorporation of WAC techniques into a beginning astronomy class, at this level, is a unique experiment. The intent is that the project serve as a prototype for future efforts in the physical sciences at New Mexico State University and that the material developed here be transportable to other institutions.