Download the Astronomy Pre-Workshop Common Read questions

Workshop Preparation

Read: Coming of Age in the Milky Way by Timothy Ferris Answer: Astronomy Pre-Workshop Common Read questions Bring: a student activity used in class that addresses motions on the sky or the Solar System completed student assessments provided by our team

Course Objectives

Workshop Description

In this workshop, teachers will learn how to use the Starry Night software package to bring the night sky and the Solar System into the classroom. Educators will get hands-on access to the software so they can explore this powerful tool for themselves and work through examples on the phases of the Moon, the seasons, the orbits of the Solar System bodies, and more.

Science Content

• Acquire a deep understanding of science content being taught
• Know and understand the science standards for their grade band
• Understand what content is appropriate for students at grade levels
• Understand central concepts rather than isolated facts
• Identify individual learning targets embedded in the big ideas
• Recognize the appropriate sequence of targets (learning progression) and order of concepts that students must experience for a big idea.

Designing Instruction for Understanding

• Understand common student misconceptions about a science concept
• Know and understand the science standards for a teacher’s grade band
• Identify individual learning targets embedded in the big ideas
• Know assessment strategies for eliciting evidence
• Know how to engage students in inquiry to develop understanding of science concepts and the nature of science
• Know how to access and manipulate authentic data from national databases

Sense-Making

• Know the learning targets for a science activity
• Know the sequence of targets (learning progression) that students will experience (for a given science activity)
• Know how to get students to make sense of what they are learning
• Know how and when to provide time for students to make sense of what they are learning
• Know strategies for students to engage in thinking about their learning and how it has changed over time

Classroom Culture and Environment

• Know what evidence exists which supports full access to science for all students
• Understand students’ interests, background, strengths, and challenges
• Know how scientists work and that science is a social enterprise
• Know how to foster a collaborative learning environment
• Understand both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
• Understand strategies for engaging students

FAQ

Please check the Space Grant Astronomy Workshop website for details.