Teaching Astronomy-Centered Science
CFAO Workshop Overview
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Monday - Carthage College |
Tuesday - Carthage College |
Wednesday- Yerkes |
Thursday - Yerkes |
Friday - Yerkes |
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Introduction/ Overview |
Summary/ Review |
Team Meetings/ Group Reports |
Team Meetings/ Group Reports |
Team Meetings/ Group Reports |
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Optics Primer |
HOU Module Development |
HOU Module Development |
HOU Module Development |
HOU Module Development |
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Team Assignments |
Team Presentations |
About the CFAO Program
From the NSF Press Release:
(http://www.nsf.gov/od/lpa/news/press/99/pr9945.htm#attachment)
Adaptive Optics is a method for removing blur caused by changing distortions within optical systems, and thus has tremendous implications in astronomical and vision science applications. For example, adaptive optics makes ground-based telescopes clearly as if they were in space, and has the potential for use in the diagnosis of retinal disease.
The STC for Adaptive Optics will develop new instruments optimized for adaptive optics: coronographs will be developed to study black holes in galaxies and planets around nearby stars; opthalomoscopes will be developed to make possible high resolution 3-D construction of retinal blood vessels and optic nerve fibers that carry signals to the brain.
The center will use facilities in major cities to bring adaptive optics research into K-12 after-school and summer science programs, expand graduate education opportunities for Native Americans and provide training for optical technicians.
Your Role in CFAO
Having been introduced to the HOU curriculum, you are already familiar with image analysis and basic astronomical measurements. In this workshop, we will cover the science of how astronomical images are obtained. Over the course of the week, working in teams, we will create a draft version of an HOU module that addresses basic optical principles. Having learned a bit about optics, your task will be to apply your experience with curriculum development to decide what goes into an HOU module on optics, as well as how the material is packaged (student activities, worksheets, etc.).
Day One Agenda at Carthage
10:00-10:30 Introduction and Overview in Planetarium
10:30-12:00 Physical Optics: Bouncing, Bending, and Scattering in DSC 125
12:00-01:00 Lunch at Cafeteria
01:00-04:00 Optics in Astronomy in DSC 125 and DSC 110
Day Two Agenda at Carthage
10:00-10:30 Review of Physical Optics and Optics in Astronomy in DSC 125
10:30-12:00 Feedback and Pedagogy Discussions
12:00-01:00 Lunch at Cafeteria
01:00-03:00 HOU Module Design
03:00-04:00 Team Assignments
Day 3-5 Agenda at Yerkes
10:00-12:00 Team Meetings and Group Reports on Modules
12:00-01:00 Lunch
01:00-04:00 HOU Module Development
Optics Primer
Physical Optics
Nature of Light
- Waves and Particles
- Spectrum: Color and Frequency
Superposition of Waves
Diffraction and Interference
- Amplitude
- Intensity
- Phase
Light in Media
- Wavelength Dependence of Diffraction
- Dawes Limit and Telescopic Images
- Reflection
- Refraction
Optics in Astronomy
Ray tracingLenses and Mirrors
Astronomical Instruments
Applications
CFAO and Related Links:
Home page for the Center for Adaptive Optics
Abstract for the CFAO Proposal to NSF
http://www.sciencenews.org/20000304/toc.asp
Science News Article on Adaptive Optics
http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu:3636/realpublic/inst/ao/ao.html
Adaptive Optics Program at Keck Observatory
http://www.engrng.pitt.edu/~chautauq/
Chautauqua Summer Courses for Teachers
Adaptive Optics at Mt. Wilson Observatory
Educational Optics Links
Find out the effects of color on the mind, body and senses. Find color
research, factoids, articles, and links, or check out the bulletin board.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/opt/home.rxml
Meteorology guide provides a basic overview of optics principals. Includes
descriptions of ice and water optics.
http://www.opticalres.com/kidoptx.html
Provides an easily understood explanation of optical principles for
elementary school children.
http://www.explorescience.com/
Some good optics resources for educators
More optics modules for high school curricula
http://www.ossc.org/opticswebs.htm
Optics in Education Web Resources