Enhancing Astronomy Education through Technology - From Small Telescopes to CCD Detectors

天文学(11)使用天文实验室仪器来改善和丰富本科生非理科和理科专业的教育经验。该项目包括创建一系列综合的实验室练习，这些练习被整合到课程中，从非理科专业的天文学入门到物理专业的高级高科技实验室和研究项目。设备包括12个8英寸的光学望远镜，以补充非理科专业的学生目前通过Clea实验室获得的实验室体验。其次，现有的塞莱斯特龙14英寸望远镜正在升级，配备了CCD相机和光谱仪，为更注重科学和技术的学生提供真正的现代天文观测和数据整理的体验。该设备还将用于将现场(可能是实时)数据纳入CLEA实验室活动。8英寸的望远镜为非理科学生提供了实际的天文观测体验和技术，以提高计算机实验室的重要但食谱性质，达到适合他们的能力和兴趣的水平。14英寸望远镜的CCD相机和光谱仪有多种用途。一是对Clea实验室进行改造，以便提供本地数据，如果可能的话，甚至是来自屋顶望远镜的实时数据，供学生使用。这在学生的实验室工作和实际的天文观测之间提供了直接的联系。它还允许为以科学为导向的学生和专业开发更复杂的实验室和研究经验。学生也可以在他们的高级论文项目中使用这种设备。未来的方向将是修改为天文学入门课程开发的实验室的一个子集，供威廉和玛丽教育学院与物理系合作的地球科学教师发展计划使用。

Astronomy (11) This uses astronomical laboratory instrumentation to improve and enrich the educational experience of both undergraduate non-science and science majors. The project involves creation of a comprehensive series of laboratory exercises that are integrated into courses ranging from Introductory Astronomy for non-science majors to advanced highly-technical labs and research projects for physical science majors. Equipment consists of twelve 8-inch optical telescopes to complement the laboratory experience the non-science majors are currently receiving through CLEA labs. Second, an existing Celestron 14-inch telescope is being upgraded with a CCD camera and spectrograph that provide more scientifically and technological focused students the experience of true modern astronomical observation and data reduction. This equipment will also be utilized to incorporate on-site (perhaps real-time) data into the CLEA laboratory exercises. The 8-inch telescopes afford the non-science students hands-on experience in astronomical observations and techniques to enhance the important but cookbook nature of the computer labs at a level appropriate to their abilities and interests. The CCD camera and spectrograph for the 14-inch telescope serve several purposes. One is to adapt the CLEA labs in order to supply local data, and even real-time data when possible, from this rooftop telescope for use by the students. This provides an immediate connection between the students' laboratory work and real astronomical observations. It also allows the development of more sophisticated labs and research experiences for the science-orientated students and majors. Students can also use this equipment in their Senior Thesis projects. Future directions will be to modify a subset of the labs developed for the Introductory Astronomy course for use by the William and Mary School of Education in their Earth Sciences teacher development program in association with the Department of Physics.