Project ASTRO: Astronomers and teachers as partners in the classroom
- Astronomical Society of the Pacific, San Francisco, CA (United States)
Project ASTRO is an innovative pilot program to support science education in California schools by linking teachers and students in grades four-nine with amateur and professional astronomers. Funded by the National Science Foundation, Project ASTRO`s goals are to support ongoing partnerships between teachers and astronomers and to involve students in hands-on astronomy activities. The two-year pilot project started in spring 1993 and has four phases: (1) evaluating existing astronomy education materials; (2) recruiting, matching, and training teachers and astronomers; (3) providing assistance and support to teacher/astronomer teams and assessing the effectiveness of the partnerships; and (4) developing two publications, The Universe at Your Fingertips: A Resource Notebook for Teaching Astronomy and a Project ASTRO How to Manual. A total of forty-five teams of astronomers and teachers in a range of school settings are participating in the project. Partners are provided with materials, resources, guidelines, and support and are encouraged to develop their program based on local needs and interests. Visiting astronomers lead hands-on activities, give talks, organize evening star parties, arrange field trips, serve as role models and mentors to students, and assist with curriculum development and planning. Preliminary findings indicate that most teachers and astronomers are highly positive about Project ASTRO. The training and materials given to participants have contributed significantly to project success so far. The largest barrier to effective partnerships appears to be time for planning and classroom visits. Currently, Project ASTRO is investigating expansion to other communities around the country.
- Research Organization:
- Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 111156
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9404192-; TRN: 95:007145-0093
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Sigma Xi forum for scientists educators and national standards on action at the local level, Atlanta, GA (United States), 14-15 Apr 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Scientists, educators, and national standards: Action at the local level; PB: 250 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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