Collaborative Research: The Development of Research-Based Science Education in Astronomy for Undergraduates

合作研究：天文学本科生研究型科学教育的发展

• 批准号: 0618441
• 负责人: Catherine Pilachowski
• 金额: $ 16.47万
• 依托单位: Indiana University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-10-01 至 2010-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0618441&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Development; Based; Science

Astronomy (11) The goal of this project is to develop and to study the effectiveness of research-based science educational (RBSE) curricula in astronomy for entry-level undergraduate courses. The goals of RBSE curricula are threefold: (1) to teach that science is a process of discovery, not just a body of knowledge, (2) to increase positive attitudes towards science, and towards pursuing STEM careers, by giving students an opportunity to do authentic research, and (3) to develop important skills such as critical thinking, teamwork and goal-driven work skills that are important in any career path. The ultimate goal is to help instructors at other institutions, in astronomy and in other fields, to implement the developed curriculum, and to develop their own RBSE curriculum, either based upon their own research or from data archives such as the National Virtual Observatory.The intellectual merit of the activityRBSE is a method of instruction that models the processes of scientific inquiry and exploration used by scientists to discover new knowledge. It is "research-based" in the sense that it integrates scientific research with education. It brings the excitement of discovery into the classroom by getting students to actually do science, not just learn about it from lectures and activities far removed from the actual research process. Students participate in an authentic research project by completing observations on a research-class telescope, analyzing the data and interpreting their results. They collect and interpret information in response to their guided personal exploring and work together as collaborators in a cooperative rather than competitive environment. RBSE is a natural integration of research and education because it teaches science as it is done. It incorporates several "best practice" teaching strategies which model scientific reasoning. These include focusing on an in-depth project, engaging in out-of class activities, using computers as a tool for data display and analysis, using student logs and concept maps for assessment, and using the Internet. This project is determining the most effective way to implement RBSE curricula in undergraduate classrooms. It is also assessing the student gains from participation.The broader impacts of the activityFor many students, an introductory astronomy course represents their last formal exposure to science. RBSE gives students an opportunity to experience the rewards of research early enough to pursue science as a career. Even if students do not pursue STEM degrees, RBSE develops critical-thinking and teamwork skills that are necessary in any career, and it helps a large number of students understand the scientific process. About 5,100 students at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kenai Peninsula College, and Indiana University are participating in the project . The curriculum is being developed to be "off the shelf," such that other undergraduate instructors may use it. Workshops for about thirty instructors per year are held at the national AAPT and AAS meetings to introduce the RBSE pedagogy and developed curriculum, and to develop a national network of educators participating in RBSE. Flexible teaching modes such as RBSE engage the broad range of diverse, culturally derived orientations to learning. They are effective in allowing women and minorities, groups that are traditionally underrepresented in science, to find their voice and develop confidence in their ability to do science.

天文学 (11) 该项目的目标是开发和研究入门级本科天文学研究型科学教育 (RBSE) 课程的有效性。 RBSE 课程的目标有三个：(1) 教导科学是一个发现的过程，而不仅仅是知识体系；(2) 通过为学生提供进行真实研究的机会，增强对科学和追求 STEM 职业的积极态度；(3) 培养重要技能，如批判性思维、团队合作和目标驱动的工作技能，这些技能在任何职业道路上都很重要。最终目标是帮助其他机构、天文学和其他领域的教师实施已开发的课程，并根据他们自己的研究或国家虚拟天文台等数据档案开发自己的 RBSE 课程。RBSE 活动的智力价值是一种教学方法，它模拟了科学家用于发现新知识的科学探究和探索过程。它是“以研究为基础”，即科学研究与教育相结合。它通过让学生真正从事科学研究，而不仅仅是从远离实际研究过程的讲座和活动中了解科学，从而将发现的兴奋带入课堂。学生通过完成对研究级望远镜的观察、分析数据并解释结果来参与真实的研究项目。他们根据自己引导的个人探索来收集和解释信息，并在合作而不是竞争的环境中作为合作者一起工作。 RBSE 是研究和教育的自然结合，因为它教授的是科学成果。它结合了几种模拟科学推理的“最佳实践”教学策略。其中包括专注于深入的项目、参与课外活动、使用计算机作为数据显示和分析的工具、使用学生日志和概念图进行评估以及使用互联网。该项目正在确定在本科生课堂上实施 RBSE 课程的最有效方法。它还评估学生从参与中获得的收益。该活动的更广泛影响对于许多学生来说，天文学入门课程代表了他们最后一次正式接触科学。 RBSE 让学生有机会尽早体验研究的回报，从而将科学作为职业。即使学生不攻读 STEM 学位，RBSE 也能培养任何职业所需的批判性思维和团队合作技能，并帮助大量学生了解科学过程。阿拉斯加大学安克雷奇分校、基奈半岛学院和印第安纳大学的约 5,100 名学生正在参与该项目。该课程正在开发为“现成的”，以便其他本科生教师可以使用它。每年在全国 AAPT 和 AAS 会议上举办约 30 名教师的研讨会，介绍 RBSE 教学法和开发的课程，并建立参与 RBSE 的全国教育工作者网络。 RBSE 等灵活的教学模式涉及广泛的、多样化的、文化衍生的学习方向。它们有效地让妇女和少数族裔等传统上在科学领域代表性不足的群体发出自己的声音，并增强人们对自己从事科学研究的能力的信心。