Inquiry-based Introductory Astronomy Using a Robotic Telescope

使用机器人望远镜进行基于探究的天文学入门

• 批准号: 0736592
• 负责人: Shawn Slavin
• 金额: $ 15万
• 依托单位: Purdue University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-07-01 至 2011-06-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0736592&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Inquiry; based; Introductory; Astronomy; Using

Astronomy (11) The project is developing, implementing, and disseminating introductory-level, inquiry-based astronomy laboratory exercises and lecture materials that highlight and utilize images and data taken with a robotic telescope. The Northwest Indiana Robotic (NIRo) Telescope provides the tool around which the introductory astronomy curriculum at Purdue University Calumet (PUC) is based. It also provides a platform for high-quality undergraduate research, a robust primary education component, and numerous community outreach opportunities in cooperation with the Lake County Parks and Recreation Department (LCPRD) and the Calumet Astronomical Society (CAS). Intellectual Merit: The NIRo Telescope is improving the astronomy and physics curricula at PUC and will add to the body of current astronomical knowledge through high-quality research. NIRo enables a complete revision of the introductory astronomy courses at PUC, integrating inquiry-based learning and more closely linking the lecture and laboratory components. Introductory-level undergraduates gain direct access to state-of-the-art equipment and astronomical data, new laboratory experiments including observation sessions, and on-site visits. In addition, there is a new, upper-level course in modern observational techniques and several additions to the advanced laboratory course for physics majors. The observatory supports ongoing student observing campaigns to monitor the variability of quasars, of blue stragglers in open clusters, and of exoplanet transit events. Broader Impact: The observatory has a broader impact on astronomy educational objectives at PUC and through community outreach. A portion of the time and manpower for the NIRo project goes towards the development of a primary education program in conjunction with PUC School of Education professors. The data products of the observational campaigns are being developed into curricula and learning materials in line with the Indiana Earth and Space Science curricula for grades 6-8. This is the first project to specifically target primary science education through the use of a research-grade, automated telescope. The data, images, and research results are maintained on a dedicated website, allowing for a much larger audience to take advantage of this opportunity.

天文学(11)该项目正在开发、实施和传播初级的、以探究为基础的天文学实验室练习和讲座材料，突出并利用机器人望远镜拍摄的图像和数据。西北印第安纳机器人(NIRO)望远镜提供了普渡大学天文学入门课程(PUC)所基于的工具。它还与莱克县公园和娱乐部(LCPRD)和Calumet天文学会(CAS)合作，为高质量的本科生研究提供了平台，提供了强大的初等教育组成部分，并提供了许多社区外展机会。学术价值：尼罗望远镜正在改进临时大学的天文学和物理课程，并将通过高质量的研究增加目前的天文知识。NIRO使PUC的天文学入门课程得以全面修订，整合了基于探究的学习，并将讲座和实验室部分更紧密地联系在一起。入门水平的本科生可以直接接触到最先进的设备和天文数据，包括观察课程在内的新实验室实验，以及现场参观。此外，还开设了一门新的高级现代观测技术课程，并为物理专业的高级实验室课程增加了几项内容。天文台支持正在进行的学生观测活动，以监测类星体、疏散星团中的蓝散星和系外行星凌日事件的可变性。更广泛的影响：天文台对临市局的天文学教育目标和通过社区宣传产生了更广泛的影响。NIRO项目的部分时间和人力用于与临市局教育学院教授共同制定初等教育方案。正在按照印第安纳州6至8年级的地球和空间科学课程，将观测运动的数据产品编写成课程和学习材料。这是第一个通过使用研究级自动望远镜专门针对小学科学教育的项目。数据、图像和研究结果保存在一个专门的网站上，使更多的受众能够利用这一机会。