HST CYCLE
10 E/PO GRANTS
The Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 10 Education/Public Outreach Grant Program received a total of seventeen (17) proposals representing ten (10) states and fourty three (43) HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP programs. The total amount of requested funding was $414,105.
There were thirteen (13) proposals awarded funding representing eight (8) states and thirty (30) HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP programs. The total amount of awarded funding was $285,365.
- CERES-A:
Curriculum and Educational Resources for Elementary Science-Asteroids
- Dr. Robin Evans, Gibble Corporation
- Data-Driven Web Tools for Teaching Introductory Astronomy - Dr. Chris Impey, University of Arizona
- Integration of Hubble Space Telescope Science in the K-5 Science Curriculum - Dr. Jill Bechtold, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
- Explosions in Deep Space - Dr. Peter Garnavich, University of Notre Dame
- Standards-Based
Resource Development and Teacher Training - Dr. James Heasley,
University of Hawaii
- Galactic Astronomy, Matter, and Energy: An Outreach Strategy - Dr. Matt Bershady, University of Wisconsin - Madison
- From the Starts to the Classroom - Innovative Science Instruction - Dr. Alfred Schultz, Computer Services Corporation/Space Telescope Science Institute
- Scientific Living - Dr. Andrew Fruchter, Space Telescope Science Institute
- Scientific Living - Dr. Patricia Knezek, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
- An Inspirational and Educational Exhibit of Hubble Space Telescope Images and Space Hardware - Dr. John Stocke, CASA/University of Colorado
- Web-based Image Analysis in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach - Dr. Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, Northwestern University
- Searching for a Black Hole in the Local Group's Brightest Star Cluster: An Illustrated Story of the Project and Results - Dr. R. Michael Rich, University of California- Los Angeles
- Scientific Living - Dr. Sean O'Brien, Space Telescope Science Institute
ABSTRACTS
CERES-A:
Curriculum and Educational Resources for Elementary Science-Asteroids
Dr. Robin Evans, Gibble Corporation
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9198
The CERES-A project will create three self-contained modules focusing on asteroids and the methods of asteroid research. Each module will contain a teacher curriculum designed for use in grades 8-14 as part of an array of activities and lesson plans in the space sciences, especially exploration of the Solar System. In addition, each module will contain student-learning activities. The three modules will be available both via Web site and CD using a Web-based interface. The student learning activities will lead students through much of the same information covered in the curriculum and will include such things as word games and quizzes. The primary goals of these modules are to increase awareness of how asteroids fit into our Solar System, how asteroid research is done, and to encourage learning. The main objective is to enhance education of the Solar System to include more up-to-date information about asteroids and searching for asteroids. Another goal is to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about asteroids. Examples of myths and misconceptions will be taken from recent popular movies and other entertainment media. The modules will be developed at Pasadena City College (PCC) with assistance and oversight from the PI. After initial development, the modules will undergo a four-month evaluation phase during which, teachers and students will utilize the modules and provide feedback. The evaluations will provide feedback on the curriculum and learning activities for each module.
Data-Driven
Web Tools for Teaching Introductory Astronomy
Dr. Chris Impey, University of Arizona
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9133, 9137, 9138, 9239
This project involves the creation of Web-based tools for teaching introductory astronomy that use Hubble Space Telescope imaging datasets and other modes of simulating real astronomical measurements. These tools permit students to experience the limitations and characteristics of CCD data, and the methods used by astronomers to derive knowledge of distant objects. The test audience is 1200 students at the University of Arizona, but the Java/Web delivery allows dissemination to instructors nationwide.
Integration
of Hubble Space Telescope Science in the K-5 Science Curriculum
Dr. Jill Bechtold, Steward Observatory, University of Arizona
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9057, 9134, 9161, 9172, 9173
We will develop and test practical, hands-on activities using Hubble Space Telescope and other astronomical data, and then facilitate their adoption by classroom teachers in three school districts. The activities will be connected to the standard science curriculum already in place, which is in alignment with the National Science Education Standards. New activities will be developed, including a fly-by of a quasar, a unit on planetary weather, and a unit on atoms and molecules.
Explosions
in Deep Space
Dr. Peter Garnavich, University of Notre Dame
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9148
We request support for a collaboration of scientists and museum professionals to develop a content module that will be employed in the new Space Odyssey Experience at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science (DMNS). The content module serves as a basis for interactive exhibits, live programming, multimedia visualization of scientific data, and curriculum development for DMNS's school group audiences. The module will focus on the scientific content related to the research conducted by the parent proposal, including supernovae, independent distances to external galaxies, and the expansion and fate of the Universe. Primary audiences include the children, families, school groups, and other visitors who enjoy Space Odyssey at DMNS. Secondary audiences include those served by outreach and distance learning programs, as well as scientists, educators, and other disseminators who make use of the resources kept in the space sciences digital collection of DMNS.
Standards-Based
Resource Development and Teacher Training
Dr. James Heasley, University of Hawaii
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9034, 9048, 9113, 9116, 9157
We will combine the resources from five Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP programs to develop standards-based multi-disciplinary, hands-on activities related to the theme of Origins (star and solar system formation, physical processes, extra solar planets and astrobiology). These activities will be addressed at three classroom levels, K-5, 6-8, and 9-12, and will also be made available for use in public outreach. The outreach material development testing and evaluation will be integrated into an existing teacher-enhancement program, TOPS. The TOPS program, through its follow up activities, will be the initial dissemination vehicle, but we will for collaborations with the Hawaii Department of Education, and informal education to enhance the dissemination. This program will use cutting-edge science from Hubble Space Telescope to address national and Hawaii science standards in developing the classroom activities. This will allow teachers access to the latest astronomy information in a form that will allow them to teach to the science standards in the classrooms of Hawaii, and elsewhere. The materials will be developed with multi-disciplinary applications in mind, so that they may be used in both math and science (biology, earth science, astronomy, physics, and chemistry) classrooms.
Galactic
Astronomy, Matter, and Energy: An Outreach Strategy
Dr. Matt Bershady, University of Wisconsin - Madison
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9126, 9184
Our proposal is intended to exploit the continuing strong fascination that people have with celestial origins and connections to our familiar surroundings and experiences. Thanks to other programs, good educational materials in many relevant areas are already available. Therefore, we intend to focus on the unique aspects of the parent proposals in our education and outreach activities and make connections to related, ongoing EPO programs. The proposed two-year effort will be carried out by staff of UW Space Place of UW-Madison, and will exploit the existing space science outreach forums in Wisconsin.
From
the Starts to the Classroom - Innovative Science Instruction
Dr. Alfred Schultz, Computer Services Corporation/Space Telescope Science
Institute
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9171
We propose to address some of the problems faced by today's science and math teachers at the middle school and high school level. We will develop lesson plans based on GO program # 9171 and corresponding principles of physics and astronomy. By incorporating a support system to ensure successful use of the lesson plans and designing a web page for easy access of the lesson plans and support materials we will ensure a large degree of success. We will provide summer workshops for several teachers who will help to evaluate the lesson plans as well as serve as mentors to their colleagues who use the lesson plans. Further we will be available to teachers using the modules as role models and guest speakers. By addressing the real problem of ongoing support we will guarantee the success of our project and provide a valuable resource for teachers looking for innovative solutions to teach to the standards of the system.
Scientific
Living
Dr. Andrew Fruchter, Space Telescope Science Institute
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9074
Scientific Living is a new concept to harness the power of mass media for education and public outreach in local communities with a focus on space science/astronomy. It involves the production of a series of videos about space science/astronomy that will be promoted by KIMT-TV, the CBS affiliate in Mason City, Iowa. Then the videos and a companion discussion guide will be given to schools in the station's viewing area. Classroom distribution will be provided through the partnership of the Northern Trails Area Education Agency, which serves the Mason City area. KIMT-TV will use its own news meteorologist as the host and narrator of the videos, turning the station's meteorologist into an ambassador for space science/astronomy in both the classroom and community. In the classroom, Scientific Living offers an alternative to traditional videos, i.e., length, a local role model as host, its function as a discussion-starter and not a substitute teacher, and its design to be duplicated to such an extent that it becomes the beginning of a bookshelf resource in local classrooms. The Northern Trails AEA also has plans to digitize the videos for distribution on a broadband network the agency is building to serve its 96 schools.
Scientific
Living
Dr. Patricia Knezek, National Optical Astronomy Observatory
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9115
Scientific Living is a new concept to harness the power of mass media for education and public outreach in local communities with a focus on space science/astronomy. It involves the production of a series of videos about space science/astronomy that will be promoted "on" and "off" the air by KMEG-TV, the CBS affiliate in Sious City, Iowa. Then the videos and a companion discussion guide will be give to schools in the station's viewing area. Classroom distribution will be provided through the partnership of the area education agency in Sioux City. KMEG-TV will use its three news meterologists as the hosts and narrators of the videos, turning the station's "staff scientists" into ambassadors for space science/astronomy in both the classroom and community. In the classroom, Scientific Living offers an alternative to traditional videos, i.e. length, local role models as hosts, its function as a discussion-starter and not a substitute teacher, and its design to be duplicated to such an extend that it becomes the beginning of a bookshelf resource in local classrooms. The area education agency also has plans to digitize the videos for distribution on a broadband network the agency is building to serve its 24 schools districts.
An
Inspirational and Educational Exhibit of Hubble Space Telescope Images
and Space Hardware
Dr. John Stocke, CASA/University of Colorado
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9125, 9135, 9221, 9233, 9226
We propose to construct an inspirational and educational exhibit of images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) to be displayed publicly at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado campus in collaboration with Ball Aerospace Corporation, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute. Fiske is the largest star theatre between Chicago and LA and is visited by 20,000 school children and 10,000 general public annually. The proposed HST exhibit will include: over four dozen HST images, several dramatic, large-format backlit images, space hardware flown on HST (supplied by Ball Aerospace Corp.), as photo-history of the making of HST (in collaboration with Ball), interpretive guides at primary, middle and high school levels for self-guided tours of the exhibit and educational videos and Space Telescope downloads describing recent HST discoveries. This project will be cost-shared between CASA/APS Department & Fiske Planetarium, Ball Aerospace Corp., the University of Colorado Outreach Council and this proposal.
Web-based
Image Analysis in Astronomy Education and Public Outreach
Dr. Farhad Yusef-Zadeh, Northwestern University
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9104, 9128
Northwestern University Information Technology has collaborated with an Astronomy Professor and Art Lecturer to create a Web site on astronomy imagery (spaceimages.northwestern.edu). This Web site was created to complement an exhibit on Imaging and Imagining Space: A Collaboration Between Art and Science, which was shown at the Block Museum of Art on Northwestern Campus. Currently, the Web site shows astronomical images of space and contrasts them with ones created by an artist inspired by the astronomical images. The current Web site uses Flash technology to provide rudimentary interaction. We intend to extend the Web site with Java-based tools that allow the user to extract quantitative information out of the original astronomical data sets. We will create a set of electronic interactive programs, using Java. They will be used as Web-based homework assignments (including group collaboration) for four introductory undergraduate courses at Northwestern University. They will also be used for public outreach at the Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum. At Adler, the electronic gallery (CyberSpace) and in selected classes offered to the public. After the Java tools and additional astronomical data have been added into the existing site, a set of on-line instructions will have to be developed in close conjunction with the NU instructors. Interactives based on the Northwestern homework using the same data and tools will be developed for the new CyberSpace electronic gallery at the Adler Planetarium.
Searching
for a Black Hole in the Local Group's Brightest Star Cluster: An Illustrated
Story of the Project and Results
Dr. R. Michael Rich, University of California- Los Angeles
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9099
We propose to produce an illustrated book of length 20-25 pages, which describes the proposal GO-9099 from conception to completion. The proposal is to use STIS on board HST to search for a central black hole in the massive M31 globular cluster G1. Noted artist Russell Crotty will produce the illustrations for this book, which will endeavor to explain not only the goals and results of the project, but also the process of how the proposal is formulated, submitted and implemented. The aim of this booklet will be not just to explain the science, but the process of how the science is done. The formal of the booklet will be engaging black and white ink illustrations and brief text. We propose process and outcome evaluations to assess the product.
Scientific
Living
Dr. Sean O'Brien, Space Telescope Science Institute
HST Cycle 10 GO/AR/SNAP:
9159
Scientific Living is a new concept to harness the power of mass media for education and public outreach in local communities with a focus on space science/astronomy. It involves the production of a series of videos that will be aired on the evening news by WMBD-TV, the CBS affiliate in Peoria, Ill., and promoted to the general audience of people watching local news. Then the videos and a companion discussion guide will be given to schools in the station's viewing area. Classroom distribution will be provided through the partnership of the Peoria Regional Office of Education. WMBD-TV will use its own news meteorologist as the host/narrator of the videos, turning him into a local version of the "science guy" for the classroom and community. In the classroom, Scientific Living offers an alternative to traditional videos, i.e. length, a local role model as host, its function as a discussion starter and not a substitute teacher, and its design to be duplicated to such an extent that it becomes the beginning of a bookshelf resource in local classrooms. The videos will also be posted on the station's Web site for community access.
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