Project CLEA: Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy

9354514 Marschall 这项资助将继续开展两年多的项目，目前的研究人员自 1992 年秋季以来一直在为入门天文学实验室开发一系列模块。这些模块解决了入门天文学实验室现代化的迫切需求：虽然天文学是本科生中非常受欢迎的课程，而且对于许多人来说是第一次也是唯一的科学大学经历，但入门天文学实验室很难做实验，因为天文学入门实验室的模糊性天文物体、许多现象的长时间尺度以及变化无常的天气。目前天文学教师可以使用的大多数天文学练习都依赖于对照片或预设数据的分析，并举例说明了越来越过时的技术。 学生们正确地认为其中许多活动都是业余活动。 当前的项目“当代天文学实验室体验”(CLEA) 正在开发 8 个基于 Windows 的练习，在 IBM 兼容计算机上运行，​​为基于模拟、数字图像以及小型望远镜上 CCD 相机观测的入门实验室提供真实的观测体验。 每个模块都包含软件、学生指南、教师手册和技术文档。 Windows 模块以及 5 个基于 Mac 的练习和在 NSF 支持之前引入的两个数字成像练习已被引入葛底斯堡学院的课堂，并通过 ftp 和邮件广泛分发。 CLEA 软件目前被广泛使用。 该项目又持续了两年的工作，开发了额外的 8 个模块并重写了软件和手册，以便练习可以在带有彩色显示屏的 Macintosh 计算机上使用。这包括模块的文档、分发和传播。新练习提高了学生对天文学的理解，为振兴全国入门天文学实验室提供了手段和动力

9354514 Marschall This grant continues for two more years a project under which the current investigators have been developing a series of modules for the introductory astronomy lab since the Fall of 1992. The modules address a pressing need for modernization in introductory astronomy laboratories: Though astronomy is a very popular course for undergraduates, and for many their first and only college experience in science, laboratories in introductory astronomy have difficulty doing experiments because of the faintness of astronomical objects, the long time scale of many phenomena and the fickleness of weather. Most astronomy exercises currently available to astronomy instructors rely on analysis of photographs or canned data and exemplify techniques that are increasingly out-of-date. Students rightly regard many of these activities as make-work. The current project, Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy (CLEA), is developing 8 Windows-based exercises, running on IBM-compatible computers, that provide realistic observing experiences for introductory labs based around simulations, digital images, and, observations with CCD cameras on small telescopes. Each module consists of software, student guides, teachers' manuals, and technical documentation. The Windows modules, along with 5 Mac-based exercises and two digital imaging exercises introduced before NSF support, have been introduced into classes at Gettysburg College and distributed widely by ftp and by mail. CLEA software is currently in wide use. This project continues the work for another two years, developing an additional 8 modules and rewriting software and manuals so that the exercises can be used on Macintosh computers with color displays. This includes documentation, distribution, and dissemination of the modules. The new exercises improve students understanding of astronomy and provide the means and the impetus for revitalizing introductory astronomy laboratories around the country