Science Teaching through its Astronomical Roots: Use Astronomy to Teach Precollege Science and Mathematics

该项目支持高中科学课程的持续发展，该课程以天文学为主要重点，教授物理科学和数学。这些材料是为那些在高中最后几年不会选择传统科学课程，物理和化学的学生设计的。该项目的长期目标是增加高中科学课程的入学率，并提高大量学生对基本科学原理的理解。课程集中在有限数量的基本概念上，以避免让学生不知所措。通过解决学生对自然的误解理论，并通过强调在天文学和地球环境中广泛的独特实践课堂活动，促进对这些概念的掌握。将根据“自然法则”和“光的本质”开发两个模块，这两个模块将与先前开发的“我们在空间和时间中的位置”模块相结合，构成为期一年的天文学课程的基础。将制作用于建立数学模型的交互式计算机程序，以及用于说明活动和展示科学家如何使用活动中讨论的原理的视频。来自全国各地不同学校的教师将制作和修改这些材料。将使用一些试验站点对该计划进行形成性和总结性评估。该项目已与苹果电脑公司签订了研发协议。迄今为止，它已捐赠了价值75 027美元的设备。博士朗（Bausch & Lomb）和Celestron International都向教师培训工作坊捐赠了天文望远镜和配件，花费超过2.3万美元。该项目显示出巨大的潜力，可以成为一个广泛的项目，允许学生在其中学习一门有用的课程，以满足第三年的科学要求。

This project supports the continuing development of a high school science course that teaches physical science and mathematics using astronomy as its major focal point. The material is designed for students who would not elect the traditional science courses, physics and chemistry, during their last years in high school. The long range goal of the project is to increase enrollment in high school science courses and improve the understanding of basic scientific principles by large numbers of students. The curriculum concentrates on a limited number of fundamental concepts to avoid overwhelming students. Mastery of these concepts is promoted by addressing the students' misconceived theories of nature and by emphasizing a wide range of unique hands-on classroom activities in both astronomical and terrestrial settings. Two modules will be developed based on the "Laws of Nature" and the "Nature of Light" which will form the basis of a year-long astronomy course when combined with the previously developed module on "Where We Are in Space and Time". Interactive computer programs for building mathematical models and videos for illustrating activities and showing how scientists use the principles discussed in activities will be produced. Teachers from a variety of schools across the country will produce and revise this material. There will be both formative and summative evaluation of the program using a number of trial sites. The project has entered in a research and development agreement with Apple Computer. To date, has donated $75,027 worth of equipment. Both Bausch & Lomb and Celestron International have donated astronomical telescopes and accessories to teacher training workshops costing in excess of $23,000. The project shows significant potential for becoming a widespread program allowing for a useful course in which students may meet a third-year science requirement.