International Workshop on COSMOS in the Classroom, K12 Outreach
and Student Training in Space Physics
Sebha University in collaboration with the Libyan Center for Remote
Sensing and Space Science is conducting an international symposium
on Solar Physics and Solar Eclipse in conjunction with the total solar
eclipse to occur on March 29, 2006. The location of the symposium lies
along the path of totality to enable participants to view the eclipse
and to set up their own experiments directly at the site of the symposium,
Waw-an-Namus. The main objective of the symposium is to offer a perfect
site to observe the solar eclipse while providing a unique opportunity
to establish and develop contacts between scientists all over the world.
The event will present an inspiring occasion to discuss recent advances
in solar astrophysics. A wide variety of topics will be discussed, and in
particular Solar Eclipse; history and contemporary science, solar magnetic
fields; recent results, polarimetric observations of the solar spectrum,
effects of solar variability on earth’s climate and space weather, solar
energy utilization; recent developments and current challenges.
At the International Heliophysical Workshop, sponsored by the United
Nations, NASA, European Space Agency and United Arab Emirates University,
scientists from USA (Dr. Abebe Kebede), India (Mr Arvind Paranjpye),
Iraq (Dr. Najat Urbandi) , Nigeria(Dr. A. Babatunde Rabiu,), Libya (Dr.
Abdelgardir Abseim), Cameroon(Dr. Emmanuel Guemene), Ivory Coast (Dr.
Olivier Obrou) and Egyt (Dr. Maha S. Quassim) proposed a unique
international outreach program around the March 2006 solar eclipse. While
the main event is centered in Waw an Namus, Libya this group of collaborators
will exchange content and experimental activities to be performed in their
own countries as well as in countries lying along the path of totality
Of particular emphasis is that an international team of undergraduate and
graduate students. faculty members and space science educators will travel
to Libya to participate in the SPSES2006. The team will also conduct a
two day SPSES2006 “COSMOS in the Classroom” workshop for K12 STEM teachers
amd participate in “Physics on the Road” outreach reach activities
for K12 students and the public.
The COSMOS in the Classroom Workshop for Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Teachers
K-12 Outreach programs and activities are the corner stone for
improving the quality of education, to enhance the breath and depth of
knowledge, functional literacy, as well as improve the science and mathematical
skills of incoming freshman students nationwide. Program developers
for K-12 activities have collaborated to develop effective outreach activities
that initiate change of general behavior towards specific fields. Particularly,
such collaboration and exchange of ideas are vital in order to increase
the number of university students in STEM. This particular workshop, named
"The COSMOS in the Classroom" targets STEM Teachers for grades 9-12. There
are three important points to this workshop.
It will address several specific competencies and
skills using US National Standard and standards of the State of North
Carolina as benchmark.
It will address the No Child Left Behind Act
It will add now teaching and learning technologies for
STEM classroom instruction. Particularly, we will introduce the application
of logger other similar products. The logger pro is an experimental
and data analysis platform that is used to measure physical quantities
such as kinematics and thermodynamics.
Summary of Skills and General Topics
SKILLS
(1) Teachers will identify and
learn to use NASA resources
(2) Teachers will learn how
to use the web,
(3) Setup email lists, make
websites with links to simulation and virtual laboratories,
(4) Hands on experience in undergraduate
Physics laboratories
(5) Teachers will learn how
to integrating
(6) NASA K12 learning/teaching
materials, and technology tools in the science syllabus
(7) Teachers will put their
science syllabus on line
(8) Teachers will develop learning
communities
GENERAL TOPICS
Scales
The sun and the solar system
Stars and Evolution of Stars
The death of stars
Space Science Missions
Light and Matter
Superconductivity
Atomic and Plasma Physics
Solar Physics
High energy physics
Nanotechnology
Biotechnology
General Physics
Kinematics and Dynamics
Comparative competencies and objectives
with North Carolina Standards
Competency
Objectives
The learner will acquire an
Understanding of the earth in the solar system and its Position in the
universe.
Analyze the theories of
the formation of the universe and solar system.
Analyze planetary motion
and the physical laws that explain that motion: This include
Rotation., Revolution,
Apparent diurnal motions of the stars, sun and moon, Effects of the tilt
of the earth's axis.
Examine the sources of
stellar energies
Life cycle of stars, Hertzsprung
- Russell Diagram.
Assess the spectra generated
by stars and our sun as indicators of motion and the composition (The
Doppler Effect)
Evaluate astronomers' use
of various technologies to
Extend their senses:,
Optical telescopes., Cameras, Radio telescopes., Spectroscope.
US Grades 9-12 Science Content Standard
Physical science
Structure of atoms
Structure and properties of
matter
Chemical reactions
Motions and forces
Conservation of energy and
increase in disorder
Interactions of energy and
matter
Science as inquiry
Abilities necessary to do
scientific inquiry
Understandings about scientific
inquiry
Earth and Space Science
Energy in the earth system
Geochemical cycles
Origin and evolution of the
earth system
Origin and evolution of the
universe
Tentative -Program Schedule
Day 1
8:30-9:30AM
Technology Tools for Science and Mathematics Learning:
Overview of technology for hands-on activities
(Logger PRO, academic software, Information technology)
9:35-10:35: Overview of astronomy
Observations and identification of prominent
stars constellations and planets
Overall size, structure and age of the Universe
Evolution of Stars
10:45-11:55 SUN-EARTH CONNECTION
Structure of the Sun-Interior
Solar Surface Features
Motions of Sun
Gravity
Tides
Tidal Forces
Eclipses
12:00: Lunch
13:30-14:30:
Orbital mechanics
The mathematics of space flight:
Understanding gravity
Keppler's laws
Newton's laws of motion
14:35-15:30 Overview of Earth and Space Science Education Resources
15:40-16:30: Feedback, Q&A, ADJOURN
Day 2
8:30-9:30AM:
Technology Tools for Science and Mathematics
Learning:
Overview of technology for hands-on activities
(Logger PRO, academic software, Information technology
9:35-10:35: Overview of astronomy
Solar systems: comparing
our sun to other stars.
Formation of Planetary Systems
Comparative Planetology
Early Earth; Planetary Exploration
10:45-11:55:Overview of astronomy
Position and motion of objects in our solar
system and Galaxy
Big Bang; Synthesis of the Elements
Technology of exploring space- human and non-human
12:00: Lunch
13:00-16:00
Techmology tools for space science and space exploration
Get ready for the Total Solar Eclipse under Libyan
Skies.
Physics on the Road Project
(PoRP): A project to enhance Public visibility of Physics, to support
K12 Physics Education in Guilford County Schools, North Carolina and beyond
Scale of project
We plan to conduct Physics on the Road Project (PoRP)
that will be a international model for recruitment and retention of students
in STEM, particularly in physics. This program begins with on March
26 by visiting several schools in the city of Tripoli using a mobile
physics laboratory. We plan to spend at least two hours per school.
Physics on the Road Activities
This program is an outgrowth of our recent science
on wheels activities in several schools and after school programs in
North Carolina, We began with an activity we call "Colors are everywhere"
tailored to level of the student. Several topics were introduced. These
include identification of colors of the rainbow fractions, electromagnetic
spectrum and the energy from the sun.We expanded the activities to include
demonstration on Mechanics, Electromagnetism, change of phase, light, magnetic
levitation, superconductivity and many others.
A total
of 500 students and their teachers have been served so far. Dr. Abebe
Kebede and one undergraduate student currently lead this outreach. We propose
to replicate these activities in Libyan schools. As much as possible we
will attempt to make the demonstrations treflect aspects of everyday life
such as sports, toys and entertainment, climate and weather, safety, light
and Acoustics, famous people and the like. In every demonstration we do
we will attempt to build every day experience of the observer and the experimenter..
List
of activities
The Physics on the Road program contains activities
to demonstrate principles of physics in common everyday experience. For
example sports, light, acoustics. In order to develop a diverse set of
activities, we plan to collaborate with similar activities in the country
and around the world. For example we will adopt or directly use activities
from the Physics in a Van program (UIUC), the Pacific Science Center, Little
Shop of Physics (Colorado State University), Kids-Physics(Syracuse University),
and Science on Wheels (Marshall University), the Science Houses (North
Carolina State), as well as other outreach programs spread in the US (http://van.hep.uiuc.edu/van/links-Shows.htm)
(1) Colors are Everywhere: This module about the origin
of color, and how color forms as light from a source pass through a devise
such as prism. This program is designed to fit all classes including high
schools. The topics include identifying colors in the rainbow, manipulation
of shapes, fraction, optical devises, energy and the sun.
(2) Electrostatics:This module contains documentation
and activities that will be used at any grade level. It will be accompanied
with demo and hands on activities that will involve generation and transport
of charge. We will use the Van De Graff Generator a center piece for
electrostatics
(4) Electromagnetism: This module contains documents
about electricity and magnetism and the relationship between the two.
This document will be tailored to fit the K12 course of study. Students
will design their own circuits and electromagnets. We will use a variety
of electromagnetic devices to measure electrical quantities such as current,
voltage power. While students learn the principles of electromagnetism,
we will introduce the magnetic field of the earth by introducing the function
of a compass.
(5) Mechanics: This module contains documents and
activities about kinematics, dynamics, energy and momentum transfer.
The demos include rotational motion, bouncing balls, motion and motion
detectors etc. We will add projectile motion, rocket design, and space
flight in a public setting.
(6) State of Matter: This module contains documents
and activities on state of matter. We will use liquid nitrogen to demonstrate
change of phase. We will also go further to demonstrate superconductivity
and its interaction with magnetic field.
(7) Hands on Solar Eclipse
models and operation of portable solar telescope.
Participants
Five lecturers Sebha University
100 undergraduate and graduate students from Sebha
University
Two members of the NASA Sun-Earth Connection community
15 US graduate and undergraduate
students
Five NASA ESA space science experts and educators
Ten other international students and educators from
developing countries
Participating schools: TBA
Funding opportunities: Pending availability
we plan to privide partial travel funds (Please contact Dr. Abebe Kebede
gutaye@ncat.edu
A total
of 500 students and their teachers have been served so far. Dr. Abebe
Kebede and one undergraduate student currently lead this outreach. We propose
to replicate these activities in Libyan schools. As much as possible we
will attempt to make the demonstrations treflect aspects of everyday life
such as sports, toys and entertainment, climate and weather, safety, light
and Acoustics, famous people and the like. In every demonstration we do
we will attempt to build every day experience of the observer and the experimenter..
