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PHYS 583-01
THE INVISIBLE UNIVERSE ONLINE: THE SEARCH FOR ASTRONOMICAL ORIGINS
August 28 - December 15, 2006

For K-12 Grade Teachers
Graduate Semester Credit: 3
Time Commitment: 10-15 HOURS PER WEEK
Cost: $130

The Invisible Universe Online: The Search for Astronomical Origins for Teachers covers the long chain of events from the birth of the universe in the Big Bang, through the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets by focusing on the scientific questions, technological challenges, and space missions pursing the search for origins in alignment with the goals and emphasis of the National Science Education Standards.

This course builds upon your existing astronomy knowledge and adds layers of understanding so that you have a deeper appreciation for the multiwavelength universe. In addition, many of our homework activities and discussions focus on teaching course concepts as a method to enhance your deeper understandings of the content. It is not necessary that you teach astronomy at this point in your career, only that you are open to critically thinking about how this content can be best taught to deal with learner misconceptions.

We run on a Thu-Wed schedule.

***BEFORE registering for PHYS583, please visit The Invisible Universe Online public website at http://btc.montana.edu/ceres/origins/ and review:

  • The expanded Course Description
  • Course Goals
  • Course Structure
  • Student Pre-requisites
  • Participation Expectations
  • The Course Schedule & Topics

INSTRUCTOR:
Tim Slater

Dr. Tim Slater is an Associate Professor of Astronomy at The University of Arizona Steward Observatory where he conducts research on the teaching and learning of astronomy and space science. He served as the lead project science director for the Montana State University NASA Center for Educational Resources (CERES) Project and develops K-12 curriculum materials for astronomy that are aligned with the National Science Education Standards. He is currently the Director of the University of Arizona Science and Mathematics Education Center.

Additional course instructors/teaching assistants are pending at this time.

CREDIT:
3 graduate semester credits.

PREREQUISITES:
To make the Invisible Universe a fun learning experience for you, we require the following:

  • Two years of science teaching experience
  • Current teaching certificate
  • Mandatory: Prior COLLEGE-LEVEL astronomy course that covered "stars, galaxies, and the universe" If in doubt, please contact the current course manager. You will not be allowed to enroll if you do not meet this prior astronomy requirement.
  • Prior online course (please contact instructor if you do not meet this requirement)
  • Completion of PHYS 511 - Astronomy for Teachers is highly recommended, but not required.
  • Mandatory: The following computing technology skills are needed prior to the first day of class:
    • Ability to format word processing documents with header, footer, page numbers
    • Familiar with web browsers like Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator
    • Check that your computer and browser version are compatible with WebCT
    • Able to view, save, and print Adobe PDF files
    • Ability to install new programs or media players on computer
    • Ability to save word processing documents in a PC-friendly Rich-Text Format file (if you are on a Mac)
    • If using a program other than Microsoft Word, ability to save as a Rich-Text Format file
    • Ability to save image files from web pages and incorporate into word processing documents

TIME COMMITMENT:
Our past teachers/students report devoting 10-15 hours per week to this course. Really, we mean a 10-15 hour commitment! The first few weeks of the course are intense. Basic astronomy/physics principles and content about "light" are covered in depth. During this time, you are also getting used to the schedule, technology, interface of the online course, and building a learning community in your discussion group. Final course grades are calculated based upon on performance in discussion, weekly homework activities, mid-term exam/activity, final exam/activity, feedback loop participation, and course project(s).

Included in the time commitment above is the amount of time you will spend online. Expect to be online 10-15 hours per week. If you have a slower modem or slow computer, this time may increase slightly due to increased download times for the highly graphical course content. The majority of your work will entail online reading, interactive web activities, online lab activities, and asynchronous class discussions. All of the static reading (non-animation material) and WebCT content pages are easily printed for those who like to read from paper. This course does use a textbook. However, most of the reading/activities are online. The discussion portion of the course requires you to be present on at least two separate occasions per week. Be aware, discussions can move swiftly and we encourage students to skim for new posts, on average, every other day.

If you are unfamiliar with telecommunications or have a relatively slow internet connection, this course may require more of your time.

MATERIALS:
Materials, including your text, will be provided in your course kit from Montana State University.

TEXTS:
Freedman, Roger A., and Kaufman, William J. Universe, 7th Edition.
"NRC National Science Education Standards" (1996) available in print (ISBN0-309-05326-9) or online: http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/
NASA Office of Space Science Search for Origins Online Library at: http://origins.jpl.nasa.gov/library/
Other readings as assigned
The majority of the readings are web-based. All of the static reading (non-animation material) and WebCT content pages are easily printed for those who like to read from paper.

ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES

COST:
$120, including materials and shipping.

SPECIAL THANKS:
This course is offered through a partnership between the Montana State University and NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Education and Public Outreach Program. Accordingly, the course materials, feedback surveys, and submitted projects may be shared with the Spitzer Outreach program. Additionally, experiences from this course may be presented at national astronomy and/or education conferences.

Check our basic computer requirements
Extra equipment needed for this course? YES

It is:

  • PC or Mac that can be available to you 10-15 hours per week and has reliable online access
  • Reliable online service provider with moderate connection speed
  • Minimum of 56 Kilobytes per second modem for dial-up connections (contact instructor if you have questions)
  • Word processing program (Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, or Appleworks)
  • Ability to save files and/or download programs on your computer.
  • Free media players required - Quicktime, Flash, Shockwave, Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Only selected participants will be accepted into this course.

   
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