Planetary Exploration in the Classroom

行星探索吸引了具有科学和非科学背景和抱负的学生的想象力和兴趣。目前的教科书只是简单地展示一些行星任务的图片，未能充分利用行星探索的兴奋作为学习物理过程和科学方法的主题的潜力。该项目正在编制一套课程，该课程将以空间探索的吸引力为基础，促进人们对科学的兴趣，并教授科学调查和发现的现代方法。它使用实际的航天器图像和现有的麦金塔电脑来探索塑造行星世界的过程。通过一组练习，学生了解到科学图像不再是书本上的图片。相反，现代科学图像是数字对象，可以进行操作和定量细节检查。航天器图像用于激发科学探究，但课程也强调数字成像正在成为所有科学以外领域的固有特征。涉及数字成像的新课程将被纳入我们的入门级课程，吸引了广泛的科学和非科学学生。这些学生应该把他们的科学和数字成像经验作为他们在科学、工程、医学、人文和教育等各个领域追求专业和职业的新工具。因为课程是在入门级的科学水平，并且使用了公共领域中可用的图像和软件（适用于Macintosh和pc），所以这些练习可以在其他学院、大学和高中广泛使用。

Planetary exploration captures the imagination and interest o students having both science and non-science backgrounds and aspirations. Current textbooks that simply present a few pictures from planetary missions fail to capitalize on the potential for utilizing the excitement of planetary exploration as a theme for learning about physical processes and the methods of science. The project is developing a curriculum that will build upon the appeal of space exploration to promote interest in science and to teach modern methods of scientific investigation and discovery. It uses a hands-on approach in exploring processes which shape planetary worlds using actual spacecraft images and existing Macintosh computers. Through a set of exercises, students learn that scientific images are no longer pictures in books. Instead, modern scientific images are digital objects that can be manipulated and examined in quantitative detail. Spacecraft images are used to motivate scientific inquiry but the curriculum also emphasizes that digital imaging is becoming inherent to all areas of beyond science. The new curriculum involving digital imaging will be incorporated into our introductory level classes which attract a broad cross section of science and non-science students. These students should carry their scientific and digital imaging experience with them as new tools in their pursuit of majors and careers in all areas of science, engineering, medicine, humanities, and education. Because the curriculum is at the introductory science level and uses both images and software available in the public domain (for both Macintosh and PCs), these exercises can be available for wide use in other colleges, universities, and high schools.