Teacher resources & Lesson Ideas

To support your astronomy curriculum check out the following Websites for science project ideas, lesson plans, and more. Note, while Spaced Out: A Cosmic Scene provides links to these web-based resources that we feel are appropriate, we cannot guarantee that all the content presented in these web resources is scientifically accurate. As an educator it is your responsibility to verify the accuracy of all resources used with your students.

Ask an Astrophysicist
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/ask_an_astronomer.html

Background information for Teachers on light and sound waves:

Wave Content Outlined – Great Teacher Resources
http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/feschools/waves/waves.htm

Wave Propagation – great animation and slow motion video

  1. breaking of a light bulb
  2. inverse square law
  3. ripple by a milk drop
  4. shock wave

http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/feschools/waves/propagation.htm

Waves on A String – Great Animation and Slow Motion Video
http://www.acoustics.salford.ac.uk/feschools/waves/string.htm#elastic1

The following is a list of intervention strategies and resources that will facilitate student understanding of light and sound waves.
http://www.rpdp.net/sciencetips_v2/P12C1.htm#intervention

Lessons on Waves: Light and Sound

Newton’s Law Challenge consists of three simple laboratory experiments, one for each law, which allows the students to obtain and comprehend a better understanding of the three laws of motion.

Earthquakes – Things to Learn about – Exhibit Map (Simulations)

This site provides students with activities, background information, and simulations regarding mechanical waves and earthquakes.

A Drop of Water
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/waves/

The Slinky and The Rope
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/waves/p&s_waves.html

A Shaking Record
http://www.thetech.org/exhibits_events/online/quakes/grams/

Electromagnetic Waves – Applets On Electromagnetic Waves
http://www.amanogawa.com/waves.html

Waves and the Transfer of Energy Resource Found at the Ohio Resource Center - This resource is aligned to the grades 6-8 Physical Science benchmarks and provides a mini-collection on waves and the transfer of energy. Energy takes many forms, some forms represent kinetic energy and some forms represent potential energy; and during energy transformations the total amount of energy remains constant. Several of these resources are also aligned to the scientific process standards; in addition, the resources provide multiple opportunities to incorporate writing into science instruction.
http://www.ohiorc.org/bookmark/view_a_folder.aspx?folderID=7479

How can wave behavior help us find planets around distant stars?
http://trs-new.jpl.nasa.gov/dspace/bitstream/2014/16872/1/99-0281.pdf

Bringing in the Mathematics of Waves

PBS has a series of mathematics activities relating to inverse law function. The third activity (page 17 of PDF document) deals with Light Intensity. This lesson has been identified as a best practice by the Ohio Resource Center (www.ohiorc.org) ORC# 116.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/mathline/lessonplans/pdf/hsmp/penniespressure.pdf

Resource for explaining light and sound waves has an applet that shows how waves move up and down and not laterally. Good use for mathematics graphic interpretation.
http://home.cord.edu/faculty/manning/physics215/studentpages/angieevanson.html

On-line Physics Tutorial – look to chapters 8, 9, and 10 for waves, sound and light.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10796/index.html

Overview of waves, types of waves and measuring waves with a self-quiz at the end.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10796/ch8/ch8.htm

Overview of sound waves: measuring and Doppler effect (introduces some math) with a self-quiz at the end.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10796/ch9/ch9.htm#Doppler

Overview of light waves and description of dispersion in all directions and use of the inverse square rule, with a self-quiz at the end.
http://library.thinkquest.org/10796/ch10/ch10.htm

Geometry and Algebraic Formula For Spherical Point Wave Source - Teachers can adapt the mathematics to meet student skills.
http://ccrma.stanford.edu/~jos/pasp/Spherical_Waves_Point_Source.html

Explanation and Diagram For Inverse Square Law of Acoustics
http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/acoustic_IOI/101_5.htm

Inverse Square Law Calculator and Explanation For Light
http://www.intl-lighttech.com/library/calculators/inverse_calc

Inverse Square Law Calculator and Explanation For Sound (added dimension of sound measured in decibels).
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-squarelaw.htm

Understanding Science - How Science Really Works

This web resource is excellent for bringing into focus Ohio’s science standards History and Nature of Science, Science as Inquiry, and Science and Technology. This website provides exemplary lessons by grade bands, research findings on how students learn science and suggestions for adapting lessons to meet student needs.
http://undsci.berkeley.edu/

Astronomy Resources

GLOBE at Night – http://www.globe.gov/GaN/
Find easy-to-follow instructions for participating in this project at this site, where students can also record their observations of the night sky. Prior to the star-hunting event, students can log on to learn about Orion's role in Greek mythology, star magnitude, and other topics.

International Year of Astronomy 2009 – http://www.globe.gov/GaN/
A list of global projects designed to promote awareness of astronomy and dark skies. Some activities are too advanced for elementary school students.

The GLOBE Program – http://www.globe.gov/r
Abundant resources for integrating related lessons about such topics as atmosphere and climate, clouds, and hydrology.

400 Years of the Telescope – http://www.400years.org/
Information about a new documentary that follows astronomical discoveries starting from Galileo's first peek through the telescope. The site offers a viewing schedule and "Profiles in Astronomy" that may serve as excellent bases for history lessons.

Hands-On Optics – http://www.hands-on-optics.org/home/
Six modules for teaching about optics. Lessons range from studies of lasers to magnification and communicating with light.

The International Dark-Sky Association – http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do
Viewing the night sky and the importance of darkness for biological growth -lessons on the solar system and the effects of light pollution on wildlife, as well as science, writing, and art projects for students ages 7-12. Site even offers suggestions for a ‘Star Party’ with your students http://www.darksky.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=56428&orgId=idsa

National Optical Astronomy Observatory – http://www.noao.edu/ with a link to educational applications http://www.noao.edu/education/
NOAO is engaged in programs to develop the next generation of telescopes, instruments, and software tools necessary to enable exploration and investigation through the observable Universe, from planets orbiting other stars to the most distant galaxies in the Universe.

Sun As a Star: Science Learning Activities for Afterschool - The Sun As a Star activities teach concepts related to the sun with opportunities for the students to investigate each idea. Most of the nine sequential activities can be completed in about one hour. Here you can download a 37-page teacher resource guide, which suggests 9 activities you can do with your students, many of these activities support information presented in Spaced Out: A Cosmic Scene episodes. http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/145908main_Sun.As.A.Star.Guide.pdf