Investigating Astronomy: A Unique High School Curriculum for All Students

Terc Inc, Cambridge MA

Investigators

Abstract

Using a carefully designed sequence of hands-on activities, scientific images and visualizations, and long-term investigations, "Investigating Astronomy" addresses the national science education standards and state frameworks for the study of astronomy. The six modules can be used together for a year- or semester - long high school astronomy course or separately as part of Earth or physical science courses. The six modules address overarching ideas of gravitational attracting systems, energy transformation, structure of matter, space and time, evolution of the universe, how we know what we know and history of astronomy. Each module is driven by a challenge -- an overarching investigation -- that provides real-life application for the astronomical and physical content contained in the activities and offers students a venue for exploring the same fundamental ideas and concepts that engage scientists. These materials, to be available in English and Spanish, provide the first astronomy course developed especially for high schools. They are accompanied by a teacher guide, a teacher professional development website, and family and community materials, including connections to amateur astronomers. A research component embedded in the external evaluation measures the effect of scaffolding on student learning of scientific concepts.