Our understanding of the physical Universe has grown at an incredible rate. From the diverse worlds of our solar system to the most distant and primeval galaxies, we are now witness to amazing findings that cannot help but inspire curious minds. Yet, many schoolchildren -- and even some adults -- still have difficulties understanding such fundamental concepts as the shape of the Earth, the phases of the Moon, and the reason for seasons. In this content-driven course, we will explore the issues associated with effectively teaching these basic topics and with communicating the most recent and exciting discoveries in space science.

In our study of space science education, we will consider a mix of cognitive research studies, educational benchmarks & standards, instructional techniques, assessment strategies, and multi-media resources. The class will meet on Fridays from 12:00-1:30pm in Robinson 250/251. Classes will alternate between lecture/demo/discussion sessions led by the instructor and presentations by invited guests, including space scientists, space science educators, science education researchers, and educational product developers. The invited presentations will be open to the Tufts community and will feature lunch.

Students will be expected to carry out and document two major studies. Such a study could entail a standards-based lesson plan, classroom intervention, museum/planetarium presentation, educational product, or product evaluation. The first submission will be evaluated and returned for revision and resubmission. The second will be due at semester's end. The final grade will be based on these three submissions, a running journal, and attendance.

Recommended literature includes Great Ideas for Teaching Astronomy by Stephen Pompei, Heavenly Errors: Misconceptions about the Real Nature of the Universe by Neil Comins, The Universe at your Fingertips compiled by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, AAAS Project 2061 (see the AAAS website), and a standard collegiate textbook on introductory Astronomy.

William H. Waller is Research Associate Professor of Astronomy at Tufts University and co-founder of NASA's New England Space Science Initiative in Education (NESSIE). His contact information is ...

Office: Robinson 355

E-mail: william.waller@tufts.edu

URL: http://www.mos.org/nessie

http://cosmos.phy.tufts.edu/cosmicfrontier

Telephone: (617) 627-3655 at Tufts University

(617) 589-0227 at the Museum of Science