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#2910 From: Dan Lyons <danjlyons@...>
Date: Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:32 am
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Catching cosmic rays with a camera 		danjlyons@...
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Kendra, and everyone else,

This is super cool.  Yes, I agree I think the red is probably dark current, or read out noise.  So about this artifact, is there any easy way to find out the count value on the pixels?  The reason I ask is that these sorts of cameras usually produce jpeg format images which I think behave a little strangely because they are made to compressed or re-sized and moved around. If pixel values are easily available, couldn't one estimate the intensity that should be recorded by the chip due to an incident cosmic ray?

Also, how long did it take to "catch" the artifact?  Is it short enough to do during class, maybe along with an exercise where students design the estimate I mentioned above as sort of a problem solving task in an upper level undergrad astro course?

Anyone have any thoughts on this.

Dan

On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 10:21 PM, Kendra Sibbernsen <ksibb@...> wrote:
I agree with Dan that finding cosmic rays would be difficult to do with an inexpensive digital camera such as those on a cell phone because you don't have much control over shutter speed and other settings.

I decided to give it a try with my Nikon D90 SLR (single-lens reflex) camera with the bulb setting so I could control the amount of time that the shutter was open and increased the ISO setting to 3200 so it would be more sensitive. I kept the lens cap on and tried it in a dark room and again in a room with the lights on and got the same results so there does not appear to be a light leak. I took several 5 minute exposures and they all looked similar to the attached image with red on the right hand side. I suspect the red is from the dark current of the chip as it was very consistent in each photo. This camera uses a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) chip rather than a CCD, but it is also susceptible to cosmic rays. 

I found approximately one blue or white artifact (a dot or line a few pixels in length) in each image that may have been caused by a cosmic ray. The second image that is attached is cropped and enlarged to provide a good example of what these artifacts look like. Each one is in a different position on the image so I know it is not from a hot or dead pixel on the chip (which would also likely be caused by cosmic rays). I may try additional runs with a lower ISO for a longer period of time to try to capture more of the artifacts on a single image.

If you do not get the photo attachments through Yahoo groups and would like to see them, just email me at ksibb@...

Kendra Sibbernsen
Physics and Astronomy
Metropolitan Community College

 



On Nov 3, 2009, at 5:25 PM, Dan Lyons wrote:

 

Hmm...Cool idea.  I don't know for sure but here's what my gut tells me.

Yes you technically should be able to detect cosmic rays, or rather cosmic rays would interact with the ccd in a plain digital camera.  However, I don't think a "plain" digital camera, i.e. point and shoot cameras give you the option to manually set exposure times beyond a few fractions of a second or maybe seconds.  So if you did try to do some dark exposures i.e. take as long exposures as the camera allows with the shutter closed, and figured out what the automatic processing the camera does (thermal noise on the chip? / dark frame subtraction?), then maybe you use the chip to detect cosmic rays?  I think it would be very difficult though, if it could be done at all.  I am not an expert, though.  I just have a moderate amount of experience with a couple of SBIG ccd cameras.

If anyone has a better explanation, please go for it. 

On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 9:12 AM, drcreneejames <phy_crj@...> wrote:
 

Hi, all - Does anyone know whether the CCDs in store-bought digital cameras can detect cosmic rays? Once upon a lifetime ago, cosmic ray hits on the CCD chips made bright pixels that could be seen during readout of a long integration. It occurred to me yesterday that the CCDs in plain digital cameras might be able to pick up cosmic rays and would be a wicked cool demo. However, I've not found any information on it on the internet. Anyone?






Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (16)
#2911 From: "drcreneejames" <phy_crj@...>
Date: Thu Nov 12, 2009 3:39 pm
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Catching cosmic rays with a camera 		drcreneejames
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Wow - who knew this would spark such an interesting discussion? I agree that
this would be a really cool demo within a lab or class setting. I think a good
check of it would be simply to take a DLSR into, say, a deep cavern (as are
abundant in central Texas and elsewhere)and see if the hit rate is modified. As
far as I know, being far underground is really the only good way to shield. Or,
perhaps, I'm misremembering the penetration energy of muons. I think I might
suggest that our Society of Physics Students take this project up - cross
checking the results with a known cosmic ray catcher in both locales.
Hmm....meanwhile, this sounds like a poster or physics/astronomy ed article in
the making. Any takers?

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (16)
#2912 From: Mark Heilbrunn <mrheilbrunn@...>
Date: Fri Nov 13, 2009 4:36 am
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Catching cosmic rays with a camera 		heilbrunn
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I forwarded the question to Dr. Sherwood Parker, a nuclear physicist.  Below is his reply.

Mark Heilbrunn
Prep Academy for Writers

Hi Mark,

The answer depends on the details of the camera -- whether it uses CCD or CMOS sensors, on the thickness of the depletion (or sensitive) layer, on the discriminator setting for the minimum signal, and on the background leakage current levels among other items. CCDs, the sensors in most cameras, were used as the central silicon trackers in the SLD detector at SLAC (following our use of the first collider silicon tracker in the world at the Mark II, also at SLAC. The technology we used is now standard.) 


Cosmic rays to which a camera would be sensitive would be charged, not gammas or neutrons, and where we are (below say 100,000') are muons with some electrons at the several-percent level. Muons will easily go through both shutters and lens-caps, as well as the ceiling, roof, and quite a few meters of the ground below, so the only reason to keep the shutter open is to keep the camera circuits working to receive and accumulate or integrate the signal.


If you wish, I can give you details when I come next month.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (16)
#2913 From: Kendra Sibbernsen <ksibb@...>
Date: Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:48 pm
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Catching cosmic rays with a camera 		ksibbern
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Dan asked, "So about this artifact, is there any easy way to find out the count value on the pixels?  The reason I ask is that these sorts of cameras usually produce jpeg format images which I think behave a little strangely because they are made to compressed or re-sized and moved around. If pixel values are easily available, couldn't one estimate the intensity that should be recorded by the chip due to an incident cosmic ray?"

I usually record in RAW, and you're right, the JPEG formats are a little different. However, intensity of the incident cosmic ray would be difficult to determine from the count value on the pixel. Because the single muons and fast moving electrons are electrically charged, they are interacting with the chip to produce voltage rather than each sensor counting photons. Also, because these are secondary particles from the original particle hitting high in the atmosphere, I don't know how you would determine the energy of the original hit unless you were looking at the "footprint" of the shower which would take an array of detectors. For a visual of this, here is a link to a page with some awesome 3-D computer simulation movies of a cosmic ray hit that was created for the Pierre Auger Observatory in Argentina. http://astro.uchicago.edu/cosmus/projects/auger/

Dan also asked, "Also, how long did it take to "catch" the artifact?  Is it short enough to do during class, maybe along with an exercise where students design the estimate I mentioned above as sort of a problem solving task in an upper level undergrad astro course?"

I found a couple obvious hits in a five minute exposure. Roy found 10 and 16 on his first ten minute exposures. With some of my ten minute exposures, I was finding between 15-20. That is certainly short enough that it could be done in a class or a lab.

Although I don't think it would be easy to try to determine intensity, an upper level astronomy class could certainly estimate the rate of counts if they knew the area of the chip. I also said, "You could even have them develop their own inquiry-based research questions, such as:

Does it make a difference if I have the camera on its side or on its back?
Does it make a difference if I take the pictures inside the house vs. outside?
Can I find anything that will shield the camera from the cosmic rays?
If I wrap the camera in tin foil, does that make a difference?
Does it make a difference if I have the lights off or on?"

C. Renee asked, "Wow - who knew this would spark such an interesting discussion?"

I agree. Thanks for asking the question!

And, "I think a good check of it would be simply to take a DLSR into, say, a deep cavern (as are abundant in central Texas and elsewhere)and see if the hit rate is modified. As far as I know, being far underground is really the only good way to shield." 

It might also be evident if you were in an airplane and higher in the atmosphere, you might get increased counts. You should also get similar results to the cosmic ray hits if you brought the camera near a radioactive source that had radiation that could penetrate the camera body (like beta radiation). I tried using the source in my smoke detector (mostly alpha with some gamma radiation). The alphas wouldn't penetrate, but the gammas probably would. I got a few strong hits within a minute, but I was hesitant to try my stronger sources at school because if I irrevocably damage the sensor in my camera, I would be very sad.

And, "Hmm....meanwhile, this sounds like a poster or physics/astronomy ed article in the making. Any takers?"

I could write something up. I have access to some high energy particle colleagues to check the physics. I will see if Roy is interested in sharing his photos for the project. We might also try a little more testing to find the best settings.


Kendra




Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (16)
#2914 From: "Janelle M. Bailey" <janelle.bailey@...>
Date: Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:12 pm
Subject: Are you willing to participate in research involving the SPCI? - SPRING 2010 COURSES 		janelle_bailey
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#2915 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:47 pm
Subject: 2012 and related things 		macedonfinance
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Hi everyone,
 
    I don't know if astrolrner does attachments but I'm attempting to attach an outline of things relating to 2012.  This will only get worse for two reasons:
 
    1).  We've got three years to go until 12/21/12
    2).  John Cusack's latest movie, which has just come out.  
 
    I also end it (play them out with music) with the Transit of Venus which will happen on 6/6/12 (numerologists, take note).  So something of import in the sky will happen that year.  But it won't kill us all. 
 

                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

 

1 of 1 File(s)


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#2916 From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@...>
Date: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:22 pm
Subject: Re:2012 and related things 		cja31497
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Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998.  However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Sky”) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047.  Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?

 

Chris Anderson

Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium

Coordinator, Centennial Observatory

Herrett Center for Arts & Science

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2917 From: "Tim Slater" <timslaterwyo@...>
Date: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:57 pm
Subject: Looking for an online MS Program in Astronomy Teaching? Try U Wyoming! 		timslaterwyo@...
Send Email Send Email
  
(please excuse the multiple postings if you get this more than once - we
want to be sure you know about this)


In response to the countless requests from folks looking for a domestic
online masters program in astronomy teaching, we now have a really great
program for you.  Offered through the University of Wyoming Department of
Physics and Astronomy, in collaboration with the College of Education, and
the CAPER Team, this innovative MS-Teaching program is designed for students
interested in teaching at the community college, 4-year liberal arts
college, or high school level, among many other venues.

The online program can be done part time, includes 18 hours of graduate
PHYS/ASTRO credits, and 12 hours of graduate science education courses.
Additionally, this program is requires a thesis project based on experience
in the classroom or studying the nature of teaching and learning. The
specific classes students take are to be decided every semester between you
and your faculty advisor based on what courses happen to be available.
Every semester, at least two courses are available, sometimes more.

[1] If you'd like to try out one of our courses to see if online graduate
coursework is for you, you can
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/uwgrad/info.asp?p=2238.  Courses cost about $250
per credit hour, in-state or out-of-state, plus any books.

or, if you already know that this program is right for you

[2] Apply to the program online by following the instructions at
http://faraday.uwyo.edu/grad/ . The GRE-General is required unless you
already have a MS degree; the GRE-Physics is optional.  An undergraduate
degree in physics or astronomy is preferred, but certainly not required.

Once you've decided to try out a class OR have completed your application
procedures, send us an email at caperteam@... so that we can watch for
your name and be sure you get enrolled and that your materials are processed
quickly.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled interruptions.

Cheers,

Tim and Stephanie Slater
University of Wyoming
Cognition in Astronomy, Physics & Earth sciences Research (CAPER) Team
http://www.uwyo.edu/caper   and   caperteam@...
..










**********
Timothy F. Slater, Ph.D.
University of Wyoming Excellence in
Higher Education Endowed Professor
of Science Education
cell:  520-975-1373
email: timslaterwyo@...
**********

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)
#2918 From: "Enrique" <enrique.a.gomez@...>
Date: Tue Nov 17, 2009 6:45 pm
Subject: Re: 2012 and related things 		centzontotoc...
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
  
Hi Liam,

A good resource is David Morrison's article in the recent issue of Skeptic
magazine. (vol 15 #2). Also, I highly recommend Mark Van Stone's section in the
famsi.org website that deals from a Maya epigrapher's point of view. David
Morrison recently spoke to the AP about dealing with people, including
adolescents, who are considering suicide to avoid living through a 2012
apocalypse. This means that now is the time we need to be trusted experts and
confront misconceptions that can turn tragic.

One thing I would add to this list you put out is that there is only one
reference to 12/21/2012 in the pre-conquest Tortuguero 6 stela, and the
prediction it makes is 1) fragmented 2) less than convincing that the Classic,
7th century Maya predicted any catastrophe about this date. As far as anyone
know, the 2012 meme first appears in the 1966 Michel Coe "the Maya" as a bit of
speculation rather than something supported by fact.

I gave a public talk at my university this past week on 2012. I think that in
addition to debunking this myth, one can introduce structure of the Milky Way
and the recent science about it to a public that is hungry to learn something
about the sky.

Cheers,

Enrique Gomez
Western Carolina University.




--- In astrolrner@yahoogroups.com, "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
>     I don't know if astrolrner does attachments but I'm attempting to attach
an outline of things relating to 2012.  This will only get worse for two
reasons:
>
>     1).  We've got three years to go until 12/21/12
>     2).  John Cusack's latest movie, which has just come out.
>
>     I also end it (play them out with music) with the Transit of Venus which
will happen on 6/6/12 (numerologists, take note).  So something of import in the
sky will happen that year.  But it won't kill us all.
>
>
> [cid:197174322@16112009-1363]
>
>
>
> Liam McDaid
> Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
> Sacramento City College
> 3835 Freeport Blvd.
> Sacramento, CA 95822
> (916) 558-2005
> mcdaidl@...
>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2919 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:00 am
Subject: RE: Re:2012 and related things 		macedonfinance
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Chris,
 
    Sorry about the confusion.  That should've been edited (or edited out).  About the alignment in 1998:  This is supposed to be based on: 
    Meeus, Jean (1997). Ecliptic and galactic equator. Mathematical Astronomy Morsels. Richmond, Va: Willmann-Bell. ISBN 9780943396514    
 
    But this all started because a woo named John Major Jenkins made a claim that can be found here: http://www.alignment2012.com/whatisGA.htm
    For those who would rather not waste their time looking at the above link: Jenkins says that the date where the center of the Sun's disk precisely lined up with the Galactic Equator (on the winter Solstice) was in 1998. 
 
    Now, in truth the Sun will always be (in our era) several degrees to the north of the galactic equator at the winter solstice and it certainly will be on 12/21/12.  I don't know how close the Sun on 12/20/47 or 12/21/47 will be to the galactic equator, but I bet the distance between them will be greater than zero.  In the end, I have no idea how Jenkins came up with this claim.
 
    He then - of course - goes on to contradict himself.  This is why I thought the 1998 date funny - when pseudoscientists bring up facts in order to explain them away the facts are usually correct.  But not in this case.
 
    This part of my notes should have read:  "Still, even some believers by unknown methods argue that the closest lineup between the winter solstice and the galactic equator happened in 1998.  Even if true, the Sun won't pass exactly through the galactic equator on 12/21/12."
 
 
 
                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris Anderson
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:23 AM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 

Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998.  However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Sky”) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047.  Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?

Chris Anderson

Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium

Coordinator, Centennial Observatory

Herrett Center for Arts & Science

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho, USA


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2920 From: Nick Strobel <nstrobel@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:21 am
Subject: Re: 2012 and related things 		strobelnick
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
David Morrison also wrote an "Astronomy Beat" for the Astronomical Society of the Pacific about 2012 that the ASP has made freely available at

Ed Krupp looked at the Mayan calendar issue in his October Sky+Telescope article that is freely available at

Finally, my take on the 2012 mania that was printed in my city's newspaper and in my college's quarterly publication is available at
(yes, it, too, is freely available)

Apocalyptic thoughts on the end of the world are not new in the United States and we will have more end-of-world scares after 2012.

--
Nick Strobel

On Nov 17, 2009, at 10:45 AM, Enrique wrote:


Hi Liam,

A good resource is David Morrison's article in the recent issue of Skeptic magazine. (vol 15 #2). Also, I highly recommend Mark Van Stone's section in the famsi.org website that deals from a Maya epigrapher's point of view. David Morrison recently spoke to the AP about dealing with people, including adolescents, who are considering suicide to avoid living through a 2012 apocalypse. This means that now is the time we need to be trusted experts and confront misconceptions that can turn tragic.

One thing I would add to this list you put out is that there is only one reference to 12/21/2012 in the pre-conquest Tortuguero 6 stela, and the prediction it makes is 1) fragmented 2) less than convincing that the Classic, 7th century Maya predicted any catastrophe about this date. As far as anyone know, the 2012 meme first appears in the 1966 Michel Coe "the Maya" as a bit of speculation rather than something supported by fact.

I gave a public talk at my university this past week on 2012. I think that in addition to debunking this myth, one can introduce structure of the Milky Way and the recent science about it to a public that is hungry to learn something about the sky.

Cheers,

Enrique Gomez
Western Carolina University.



Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2921 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 12:10 am
Subject: RE: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re: 2012 and related things 		macedonfinance
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Enrique,
 
    Thanks for the information.  I actually vetted the Maya section with our resident Maya expert (Michael Grofe) and he made several great suggestions. He also gave me some excellent images to go with my notes which I would be happy to upload to the group.  He also makes a strong indirect argument that the Maya were aware of precession (although this may be a minority view in the field).
 
    If Michael Coe (whose excellent book Breaking the Maya Code I read during an astronomy conference) somehow got this started by accident, it's a tragedy.  Still, I suspect this would've started somewhere - it's too seductive a target for the "Armies of the Night" to miss.
 
    As for David Morrison, his anger was quite clear in a recent Are We Alone? podcast.  As much as I like public outreach, he's been dealing with some extreme things that would be hard for any of us.  I sympathize.
 
    Regards,
 
 

                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Enrique
Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 10:45 AM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re: 2012 and related things

 


Hi Liam,

A good resource is David Morrison's article in the recent issue of Skeptic magazine. (vol 15 #2). Also, I highly recommend Mark Van Stone's section in the famsi.org website that deals from a Maya epigrapher's point of view. David Morrison recently spoke to the AP about dealing with people, including adolescents, who are considering suicide to avoid living through a 2012 apocalypse. This means that now is the time we need to be trusted experts and confront misconceptions that can turn tragic.

One thing I would add to this list you put out is that there is only one reference to 12/21/2012 in the pre-conquest Tortuguero 6 stela, and the prediction it makes is 1) fragmented 2) less than convincing that the Classic, 7th century Maya predicted any catastrophe about this date. As far as anyone know, the 2012 meme first appears in the 1966 Michel Coe "the Maya" as a bit of speculation rather than something supported by fact.

I gave a public talk at my university this past week on 2012. I think that in addition to debunking this myth, one can introduce structure of the Milky Way and the recent science about it to a public that is hungry to learn something about the sky.

Cheers,

Enrique Gomez
Western Carolina University.

--- In astrolrner@yahoogroups.com, "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone,
>
> I don't know if astrolrner does attachments but I'm attempting to attach an outline of things relating to 2012. This will only get worse for two reasons:
>
> 1). We've got three years to go until 12/21/12
> 2). John Cusack's latest movie, which has just come out.
>
> I also end it (play them out with music) with the Transit of Venus which will happen on 6/6/12 (numerologists, take note). So something of import in the sky will happen that year. But it won't kill us all.
>
>
> [cid:197174322@16112009-1363]
>
>
>
> Liam McDaid
> Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
> Sacramento City College
> 3835 Freeport Blvd.
> Sacramento, CA 95822
> (916) 558-2005
> mcdaidl@...
>


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2922 From: "Doug Duncan" <dduncan@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:41 pm
Subject: Re:2012 		valentinozip...
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 

I use 2012 as an assignment.  It could hardly be better!

There is student interest and a good chance to compare science

and pseudoscience, if your class addresses that topic.

 

My incorporation of “science vs. pseudoscience “assignments has

produced a large improvement in students’ confidence that they can

make good scientific judgments in their own lives.

 

The science vs. pseudoscience syllabus is here:

http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/pseudoscience

and a paper on the results was just submitted to Astronomy Education

Review (it is available on the link).

 

The 2012 lesson is here:

 

ASTR1020 Stars and Galaxies     Dr. Duncan

Homework: 2012

                                  

My name: __________________

 

Many people have been asking about 2012 end of the world scenarios associated with astronomy, the Mayan Calendar, the planet Nibiru, and so on. Also, your friends may say, “You took astronomy. Tell me about the planet Nibiru, or 2012.”  Since one of the goals of this class is to help you differentiate good science from bad or pseudoscience, and I always assign some homework and a few exam questions on these topics, I’ve chosen 2012 as a topic.

 

Last year I experimented with giving out an exam essay question a week in advance and letting students work on it at their preferred speed.  This worked well so I am doing it again.

 

Midterm 2 Essay (10 pts).  This is to be turned in with your midterm.  You are limited to one page.  (Any more will not be read.)

 

Investigate the following two websites: http://www.december212012.com , and http://www.astrosociety.org/2012/ab2009-32.pdf .

 

Answer the following questions:

 

  1. Describe the point of view of each website holds concerning 2012.

 

  1. Compare each website to the “How to Recognize Good Science” principles we developed as a class (that are on our CULearn home page.)  What elements of good science are present in each? 

 

  1. Now compare each website to the “Common Elements of Pseudoscience” that we also developed as a class.  What aspects of each of the websites show any of those elements?  Describe which parts of the websites reflect specific elements of pseudoscience.

 

  1. Describe how scientifically credible the claims about 2012 are.

 

  1. (Worth 6 points, in addition to the 10 pts for the essay. Please write on the back of the one page essay. ) One of the claims of the 2012 doomsday scenario is that the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will be lined up on Dec. 21, 2012.  Is this true? Consider the motion of the earth around the sun, and the sun around the center of the galaxy. Here are some hints: Where is the center of the galaxy in our sky (what constellation?)  Where is the sun in the sky on Dec. 21, 2012? (Of course it is on the ecliptic, but towards what constellation?  The planetarium program that came with your book will show this; there are lots of ways to look up where the sun is each day on the ecliptic.  Newspapers often print it.)  Will the sun, earth, and center of the galaxy be lined up on Dec. 21 THIS YEAR? What does this suggest about doomsday being Dec. 21, 2012?

 

You may also wish to refer to http://www.whowillsurvive2012.com/ , or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf3jPtaq9Q4 on YouTube, but that is not required. If you look at YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJjQMwEjC1I presents quite a different view than the other video.

 

 

 

Dr. Douglas Duncan

Dept. of Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences

Univ. of Colorado

Boulder, CO 80309

http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)
#2923 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Thu Nov 19, 2009 5:51 am
Subject: RE: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 		macedonfinance
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Doug,
 
    I agree.  2012 is the best possible place to start with a critical thinking exercise.  Perhpas we should start figuring out what the next TEOTWAWKI date will be and start making materials for it. 
 
 

                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Doug Duncan
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2009 3:41 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012

 

I use 2012 as an assignment.  It could hardly be better!

There is student interest and a good chance to compare science

and pseudoscience, if your class addresses that topic.

My incorporation of “science vs. pseudoscience “assignments has

produced a large improvement in students’ confidence that they can

make good scientific judgments in their own lives.

The science vs. pseudoscience syllabus is here:

http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/pseudoscience

and a paper on the results was just submitted to Astronomy Education

Review (it is available on the link).

The 2012 lesson is here:

ASTR1020 Stars and Galaxies     Dr. Duncan

Homework: 2012

                                  

My name: __________________

Many people have been asking about 2012 end of the world scenarios associated with astronomy, the Mayan Calendar, the planet Nibiru, and so on. Also, your friends may say, “You took astronomy. Tell me about the planet Nibiru, or 2012.”  Since one of the goals of this class is to help you differentiate good science from bad or pseudoscience, and I always assign some homework and a few exam questions on these topics, I’ve chosen 2012 as a topic.

Last year I experimented with giving out an exam essay question a week in advance and letting students work on it at their preferred speed.  This worked well so I am doing it again.

Midterm 2 Essay (10 pts).  This is to be turned in with your midterm.  You are limited to one page.  (Any more will not be read.)

Investigate the following two websites: http://www.december212012.com , and http://www.astrosociety.org/2012/ab2009-32.pdf .

Answer the following questions:

  1. Describe the point of view of each website holds concerning 2012.

  1. Compare each website to the “How to Recognize Good Science” principles we developed as a class (that are on our CULearn home page.)  What elements of good science are present in each? 

  1. Now compare each website to the “Common Elements of Pseudoscience” that we also developed as a class.  What aspects of each of the websites show any of those elements?  Describe which parts of the websites reflect specific elements of pseudoscience.

  1. Describe how scientifically credible the claims about 2012 are.

  1. (Worth 6 points, in addition to the 10 pts for the essay. Please write on the back of the one page essay. ) One of the claims of the 2012 doomsday scenario is that the earth, the sun, and the center of the galaxy will be lined up on Dec. 21, 2012.  Is this true? Consider the motion of the earth around the sun, and the sun around the center of the galaxy. Here are some hints: Where is the center of the galaxy in our sky (what constellation?)  Where is the sun in the sky on Dec. 21, 2012? (Of course it is on the ecliptic, but towards what constellation?  The planetarium program that came with your book will show this; there are lots of ways to look up where the sun is each day on the ecliptic.  Newspapers often print it.)  Will the sun, earth, and center of the galaxy be lined up on Dec. 21 THIS YEAR? What does this suggest about doomsday being Dec. 21, 2012?

You may also wish to refer to http://www.whowillsurvive2012.com/ , or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf3jPtaq9Q4 on YouTube, but that is not required. If you look at YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJjQMwEjC1I presents quite a different view than the other video.

Dr. Douglas Duncan

Dept. of Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences

Univ. of Colorado

Boulder, CO 80309

http://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (2)
#2924 From: KDConod <kdconod@...>
Date: Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:53 pm
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things 		kdconod
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
The other similar version of this is that the Sun will align with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center in 2012. So my question is when is the Sun closest to Sagittarius A? Using Starry Night it seems to be in the 2100's but it be nice to know a more precise date...
 
Kevin Conod
kdconod@...



From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@...>
To: "astrolrner@yahoogroups.com" <astrolrner@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 12:22:47 PM
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 

Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998.  However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Skyâ€) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047.  Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?

 

Chris Anderson

Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium

Coordinator, Centennial Observatory

Herrett Center for Arts & Science

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2925 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:23 pm
Subject: RE: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things 		macedonfinance
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Kevin,
 
    When I did my original look, it was with the coords for Sgr A*.  The Sun still passes degrees north of it during the solstice.  It certainly does not "line up" with it (unless your definition of line up involves a geometry that is out of the plane of the ecliptic - I'm waiting for a woo to use that idea to save this alignment BS)
 
    Regards,
 

                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of KDConod
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 9:54 AM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 

The other similar version of this is that the Sun will align with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center in 2012. So my question is when is the Sun closest to Sagittarius A? Using Starry Night it seems to be in the 2100's but it be nice to know a more precise date...
 
Kevin Conod
kdconod@yahoo.com


From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@csi.edu>
To: "astrolrner@yahoogroups.com" <astrolrner@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 12:22:47 PM
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 

Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998.  However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Sky”) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047.  Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?

 

Chris Anderson

Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium

Coordinator, Centennial Observatory

Herrett Center for Arts & Science

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2926 From: "Speck, Angela" <speckan@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 7:31 pm
Subject: Inquiry based learning in K-12 		akspeck
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 

Hello everyone

 

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

 

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

 

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

 

All comments/suggestion welcome

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2927 From: "Speck, Angela" <speckan@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:43 pm
Subject: RE: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things 		akspeck
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 

My favorite way to get people thinking about how silly the 2012 thing is, is to start with the whole alignment thing.

On various sites, and on the horrible History Channel “documentary†it is stated that the Sun will align with the center of the galaxy at sunrise on the winter solstice 2012. It doesn’t take too much effort or explanation to see how ridiculous this statement is. Once you’ve done that, a lot of the people (mostly high schoolers) I’ve talked to have a much healthier level of skepticism about the various other claims.

 

I do have a grad student doing a term paper on some aspects of the myth for my Solar system course. It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with.

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of KDConod
Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 11:54 AM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 

 

The other similar version of this is that the Sun will align with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center in 2012. So my question is when is the Sun closest to Sagittarius A? Using Starry Night it seems to be in the 2100's but it be nice to know a more precise date...

 

Kevin Conod
kdconod@...

 

 

From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@...>
To: "astrolrner@yahoogroups.com" <astrolrner@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 12:22:47 PM
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 

Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998.  However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Skyâ€) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047.  Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?

 

Chris Anderson

Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium

Coordinator, Centennial Observatory

Herrett Center for Arts & Science

College of Southern Idaho

Twin Falls, Idaho, USA

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2928 From: "Enrique" <enrique.a.gomez@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 11:07 pm
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things 		centzontotoc...
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
  
Angela,

You can amplify the silliness by putting numbers and equations to the 2012
muddle.

I sat down and compared the the force of the MW black hole on the Earth (you
know, the one that is responsible for the apocalypse) to the Moon on the Earth.

The force on the Earth from the MW BW is 10 billion pounds. (4.4 x 10^10
Newtons). That is assuming a 4 x 10^6 black hole.
The force on the Earth from the Moon is 4.35 x 10^19 pounds (1.9x10^20 Newtons).

The Moon has 4.36 billion times more force on us because it is much closer
(inverse square law). Hence, we have to worry more about the moon any given day.

What Arguelles et al. are arguing is that there is going to be a severing of a
link between all life and Earth and that black hole on 12/21/12. But that means
that such link has to carry a tension that doesn't obey the inverse square law
if we have to worry about it. But if we are dealing with a force that is only
inversely proportional, or even independent of distance, then why not worry
about about any galaxy on the ecliptic and its monster black hole as well?

A succinct info sheet on 2012 can be found on this site (tip of the tinfoil hat
to Phil Plait.)

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/2012-the-end-of-the-world/

Cheers,

Enrique Gomez
Western Carolina University



--- In astrolrner@yahoogroups.com, "Speck, Angela" <speckan@...> wrote:
>
> My favorite way to get people thinking about how silly the 2012 thing is, is
to start with the whole alignment thing.
> On various sites, and on the horrible History Channel “documentary†it is
stated that the Sun will align with the center of the galaxy at sunrise on the
winter solstice 2012. It doesn’t take too much effort or explanation to see
how ridiculous this statement is. Once you’ve done that, a lot of the people
(mostly high schoolers) I’ve talked to have a much healthier level of
skepticism about the various other claims.
>
> I do have a grad student doing a term paper on some aspects of the myth for my
Solar system course. It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
> _______________________________________________
> Dr. Angela Speck
> Associate Professor
> Physics & Astronomy
> University of Missouri
> Columbia, MO 65211
>
> Tel: 573 882 8371
> Cell: 573 489 6075
> Fax: 573 882 4195
>
> http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan
> http://stardust.missouri.edu
>
> "If we knew what we were doing,
> it wouldn't be called research, would it?"
> _______________________________________________
>
> From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf
Of KDConod
> Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 11:54 AM
> To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things
>
>
> The other similar version of this is that the Sun will align with the
supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center in 2012. So my question is when
is the Sun closest to Sagittarius A? Using Starry Night it seems to be in the
2100's but it be nice to know a more precise date...
>
> Kevin Conod
> kdconod@...
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@...>
> To: "astrolrner@yahoogroups.com" <astrolrner@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 12:22:47 PM
> Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things
>
>
> Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s
closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998.  However, my own
research (using Software Bisque’s “The Skyâ€) indicates that it doesn’t
happen until 2047.  Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?
>
> Chris Anderson
> Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium
> Coordinator, Centennial Observatory
> Herrett Center for Arts & Science
> College of Southern Idaho
> Twin Falls, Idaho, USA
>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2929 From: Eric Brunsell <ebrunsell@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:44 pm
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Inquiry based learning in K-12 		eric_brunsell
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Actually, "open" inquiry is not disastrous in middle school grades...as long as the students actually have the skills to engage in it.  Disaster generally happens when students are told to do open inquiry with no training (or scaffolding) on how to actually do it.  Of course, inquiry shouldn't be all about "open" inquiry.  Teachers need to strategically provide supports during iquiry to meet their goals. 

I really did enjoy reading your posts in the comment section of that article!

Perhaps you could bombard the school board with position statements from every science teaching organization (and many science organizations), standards from your state (and every other state) and the National Science Education Standards.  These all show an expectation for science inquiry in the middle schools.  You could follow this up with publications from the National Academies like the Nation's Lab Report and Ready! Set! SCIENCE! Putting Research to Work in K-8 Science.  End with President Obama's "Educate to Innovate" speech from this morning...

A dose of research might help too-


Finally, the school board member is dead wrong about inquiry in general.  Inquiry does take longer -- because it involves developing a deeper understanding of issues and concepts.  Linda Darling-Hammond and other education "thinkers" (and researchers) are strongly emphasizing the importance of inquiry across all disciplines, not just science.  Countries that lead the world in International comparisons do focus on rigorous inquiry in the classroom...

David Warlick, an "ed tech" leader said, "No generation in history has ever been so thoroughly prepared for the industrial age."  Unfortunately, since everyone went to school, everyone thinks they are an expert in education.  The school board member's comments about inquiry illustrate how hard it is to have real school reform.


Eric Brunsell
Asst. Professor, Science Education
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh



On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 1:31 PM, Speck, Angela <speckan@...> wrote:
 

Hello everyone

 

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

 

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

 

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

 

All comments/suggestion welcome

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 



Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2930 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:17 pm
Subject: RE: Inquiry based learning in K-12 		macedonfinance
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Angela,
 
 
    This is similar to a claim made recently by the Cal State system that community college students aren't capable of critical thinking.  They want wording to that effect in the curricular documentation.  It has my collegues and I hopping mad.  I wonder if it's the same mentality as your board members?
 
 
 

                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Speck, Angela
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 11:32 AM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Inquiry based learning in K-12

 

Hello everyone

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

All comments/suggestion welcome

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2931 From: P H <pmh099@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:56 am
Subject: Spreadsheets, WAS: 2012 and related things 		pmh099
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Today Jupiter and Moon were visible near each other.  Indeed, on November 24, 2009, at midnight Universal Time, their geographical positions were:

Moon
GHA: 99 degrees 32.3'
Declination: S 11 degrees 44.7'

Jupiter
GHA: 100 degrees 23.9'
Declination: S 15 degrees 45.7'

I decided that this "cosmic alignment" :-) marked a good time to mention on this list that anyone with a computer and a spreadsheet program can easily calculate the above results for themselves (see the attached moon.xls).  For more information, go to:

http://www.navigation-spreadsheets.com/almanac_data.html

I believe that this could be a fun resource for students to learn about astronomy, celestial mechanics, and geometry.  The spreadsheets available through the above website were designed to perform calculations for the traditional methods of celestial navigation, hence the use of the GHA (Greenwich Hour Angle) instead of right ascension.


Peter Hakel
Sparks, Nevada


From: Enrique <enrique.a.gomez@...>
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, November 23, 2009 3:07:46 PM
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 


Angela,

You can amplify the silliness by putting numbers and equations to the 2012 muddle.

I sat down and compared the the force of the MW black hole on the Earth (you know, the one that is responsible for the apocalypse) to the Moon on the Earth.

The force on the Earth from the MW BW is 10 billion pounds. (4.4 x 10^10 Newtons). That is assuming a 4 x 10^6 black hole.
The force on the Earth from the Moon is 4.35 x 10^19 pounds (1.9x10^20 Newtons).

The Moon has 4.36 billion times more force on us because it is much closer (inverse square law). Hence, we have to worry more about the moon any given day.

What Arguelles et al. are arguing is that there is going to be a severing of a link between all life and Earth and that black hole on 12/21/12. But that means that such link has to carry a tension that doesn't obey the inverse square law if we have to worry about it. But if we are dealing with a force that is only inversely proportional, or even independent of distance, then why not worry about about any galaxy on the ecliptic and its monster black hole as well?

A succinct info sheet on 2012 can be found on this site (tip of the tinfoil hat to Phil Plait.)

http://www.informat ionisbeautiful. net/visualizatio ns/2012-the- end-of-the- world/

Cheers,

Enrique Gomez
Western Carolina University

--- In astrolrner@yahoogro ups.com, "Speck, Angela" <speckan@... > wrote:
>
> My favorite way to get people thinking about how silly the 2012 thing is, is to start with the whole alignment thing.
> On various sites, and on the horrible History Channel “documentary†it is stated that the Sun will align with the center of the galaxy at sunrise on the winter solstice 2012. It doesn’t take too much effort or explanation to see how ridiculous this statement is. Once you’ve done that, a lot of the people (mostly high schoolers) I’ve talked to have a much healthier level of skepticism about the various other claims.
>
> I do have a grad student doing a term paper on some aspects of the myth for my Solar system course. It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
> ____________ _________ _________ _________ ________
> Dr. Angela Speck
> Associate Professor
> Physics & Astronomy
> University of Missouri
> Columbia, MO 65211
>
> Tel: 573 882 8371
> Cell: 573 489 6075
> Fax: 573 882 4195
>
> http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan
> http://stardust. missouri. edu
>
> "If we knew what we were doing,
> it wouldn't be called research, would it?"
> ____________ _________ _________ _________ ________
>
> From: astrolrner@yahoogro ups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogro ups.com] On Behalf Of KDConod
> Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 11:54 AM
> To: astrolrner@yahoogro ups.com
> Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@ CAE] Re:2012 and related things
>
>
> The other similar version of this is that the Sun will align with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center in 2012. So my question is when is the Sun closest to Sagittarius A? Using Starry Night it seems to be in the 2100's but it be nice to know a more precise date...
>
> Kevin Conod
> kdconod@...
>
>
> ____________ _________ _________ __
> From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@. ..>
> To: "astrolrner@yahoogro ups.com" <astrolrner@yahoogro ups.com>
> Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 12:22:47 PM
> Subject: [Astrolrner@ CAE] Re:2012 and related things
>
>
> Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998. However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Skyâ€) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047. Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?
>
> Chris Anderson
> Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium
> Coordinator, Centennial Observatory
> Herrett Center for Arts & Science
> College of Southern Idaho
> Twin Falls, Idaho, USA
>



1 of 1 File(s)


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2932 From: Mark Heilbrunn <mrheilbrunn@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 2:12 am
Subject: Fwd: Tom Wujec demos the 13th-century astrolabe 		heilbrunn
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Charles Burrows <caburrows@...>
Date: Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Subject: Tom Wujec demos the 13th-century astrolabe
To: ESPRIT@...


Thought this was cool...
 
Rather than demo another new technology, Tom Wujec reaches back to one of our earliest but most ingenious devices -- the astrolabe. With thousands of uses, from telling time to mapping the night sky, this old tech reminds us that the ancient can be as brilliant as the brand-new.


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)
#2933 From: "McDaid, Liam" <mcdaidl@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:27 am
Subject: RE: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things 		macedonfinance
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 

Enrique,
 
    We will get this alot, references to a force that "science hasn't found yet."  You know, the one with magical powers.  I love the idea of bringing other galaxies into it.  My skeptical side (I've seen too much of this during Y2K) says some loon will soon start claiming an alignment with the center of the Virgo Cluster or the Center of the Universe.  Because the force is, you know, cosmic.
 
    Great link, BTW.
 

                       

 

 

Liam McDaid
Astronomy Coordinator & Professor of Astronomy
Sacramento City College
3835 Freeport Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 558-2005
mcdaidl@...

 

 

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Enrique
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 3:08 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things

 


Angela,

You can amplify the silliness by putting numbers and equations to the 2012 muddle.

I sat down and compared the the force of the MW black hole on the Earth (you know, the one that is responsible for the apocalypse) to the Moon on the Earth.

The force on the Earth from the MW BW is 10 billion pounds. (4.4 x 10^10 Newtons). That is assuming a 4 x 10^6 black hole.
The force on the Earth from the Moon is 4.35 x 10^19 pounds (1.9x10^20 Newtons).

The Moon has 4.36 billion times more force on us because it is much closer (inverse square law). Hence, we have to worry more about the moon any given day.

What Arguelles et al. are arguing is that there is going to be a severing of a link between all life and Earth and that black hole on 12/21/12. But that means that such link has to carry a tension that doesn't obey the inverse square law if we have to worry about it. But if we are dealing with a force that is only inversely proportional, or even independent of distance, then why not worry about about any galaxy on the ecliptic and its monster black hole as well?

A succinct info sheet on 2012 can be found on this site (tip of the tinfoil hat to Phil Plait.)

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/2012-the-end-of-the-world/

Cheers,

Enrique Gomez
Western Carolina University

--- In astrolrner@yahoogroups.com, "Speck, Angela" <speckan@...> wrote:
>
> My favorite way to get people thinking about how silly the 2012 thing is, is to start with the whole alignment thing.
> On various sites, and on the horrible History Channel “documentary†it is stated that the Sun will align with the center of the galaxy at sunrise on the winter solstice 2012. It doesn’t take too much effort or explanation to see how ridiculous this statement is. Once you’ve done that, a lot of the people (mostly high schoolers) I’ve talked to have a much healthier level of skepticism about the various other claims.
>
> I do have a grad student doing a term paper on some aspects of the myth for my Solar system course. It’ll be interesting to see what he comes up with.
> _______________________________________________
> Dr. Angela Speck
> Associate Professor
> Physics & Astronomy
> University of Missouri
> Columbia, MO 65211
>
> Tel: 573 882 8371
> Cell: 573 489 6075
> Fax: 573 882 4195
>
> http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan
> http://stardust.missouri.edu
>
> "If we knew what we were doing,
> it wouldn't be called research, would it?"
> _______________________________________________
>
> From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of KDConod
> Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2009 11:54 AM
> To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things
>
>
> The other similar version of this is that the Sun will align with the supermassive black hole at the Galactic Center in 2012. So my question is when is the Sun closest to Sagittarius A? Using Starry Night it seems to be in the 2100's but it be nice to know a more precise date...
>
> Kevin Conod
> kdconod@...
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Chris Anderson <CAnderson@...>
> To: "astrolrner@yahoogroups.com" <astrolrner@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Tue, November 17, 2009 12:22:47 PM
> Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Re:2012 and related things
>
>
> Liam McDaid’s notes on 2012 indicate that the winter solstice Sun’s closest approach to the galactic equator occurred in 1998. However, my own research (using Software Bisque’s “The Skyâ€Â) indicates that it doesn’t happen until 2047. Liam, may I ask where your 1998 date came from?
>
> Chris Anderson
> Production Specialist, Faulkner Planetarium
> Coordinator, Centennial Observatory
> Herrett Center for Arts & Science
> College of Southern Idaho
> Twin Falls, Idaho, USA
>


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (12)
#2934 From: "philrosenfield" <philrose@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:23 am
Subject: A Jigsaw lesson with an ApJ paper (for college freshmen!) 		philrosenfield
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
  
Maybe some of you would be interested in this.

I wanted to introduce students in the research seminar I'm teaching to an ApJ
paper. To do it, I choose the discovery of Sedna, gave them a week to read and
answer questions (to help with their comprehension), and then had them work in
groups to understand the results.

The coolest part was I had them make comic strips to explain the possible
origins from the paper. It worked great, for more info see:

http://www.astro.washington.edu/users/philrose/philrose/Blog/Entries/2009/11/23_\
Lesson_Jigsaw.html

or contact me.

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (1)
#2935 From: Mark Heilbrunn <mrheilbrunn@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 3:18 am
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] Inquiry based learning in K-12 		heilbrunn
Offline Offline
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Below is an announcement from the NSTA.  Maybe they are against it because Obama is for it?

Mark Heilbrunn
Prep Academy for Writers

President Obama Announces National Lab Day Initiative

On Monday, President Obama announced the establishment of National Lab Day, a new science education initiative aimed at improving labs and inquiry-based science experiences for students in grades 6–12. Designed to increase community-based collaborations between scientists, engineers, teachers and students, National Lab Day emerged from collaboration earlier this year among NSTA, the American Chemical Society (ACS), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Jack D. Hidary Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation.

National Lab Day will bring together stakeholders in communities of support where science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) professionals and teachers can work together to assess current labs, update or refurbish lab equipment, conduct equipment and materials inventory, clean and repair equipment, and provide technology support. Projects can also center on computer or outdoor labs—anywhere where hands-on lessons in the STEM subjects can come alive.

The first National Lab Day is tentatively scheduled for early May 2010. For more information about National Lab Day, visit the official website at www.nationallabday.org.


On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 2:31 PM, Speck, Angela <speckan@...> wrote:
 

Hello everyone

 

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

 

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

 

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

 

All comments/suggestion welcome

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 



Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2936 From: "pricem.2009" <pricem.2009@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 1:16 pm
Subject: Re: Inquiry based learning in K-12 		pricem.2009
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
  
Angela,

I would echo Eric's statements. What seems to be going on here is mostly willful
ignorance. The no evidence statement is the clincher. The evidence for some form
of inquiry very strong. I think that Eric is correct on how to approach this.
Maybe sending this board member a copy of "Inquiry and the Nature of Science"
Flick and Lederman editors.


Good luck,

Matthew Price
Department of Physics, Ithaca College
Ithaca NY




--- In astrolrner@yahoogroups.com, "Speck, Angela" <speckan@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone
>
> I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use
of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also
Facebook friends may have seen this already)
>
> Here's a link to our local newspaper's blog entry, and ensuing comments:
> http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/
> Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any
inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!
> I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I
would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those
people who deal with K-12 curricula.
>
> I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that "inquiry" means open
inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.
> I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade...
>
> All comments/suggestion welcome
>
> _______________________________________________
> Dr. Angela Speck
> Associate Professor
> Physics & Astronomy
> University of Missouri
> Columbia, MO 65211
>
> Tel: 573 882 8371
> Cell: 573 489 6075
> Fax: 573 882 4195
>
> http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan
> http://stardust.missouri.edu
>
> "If we knew what we were doing,
> it wouldn't be called research, would it?"
> _______________________________________________
>

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2937 From: "Stephanie J. Slater" <sslater3@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 6:19 pm
Subject: For Ang: Arm yourself to engage with your local school board 		sslaterwyo
Online Now Online Now
Send Email Send Email
 

Hi Ang and all,

 

Angela is a riot.  Leave it to her to make the local headlines:  ” Segert v. Speck.”   ( If your reading this and haven’t read of Ang’s adventures:  http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/ )

Ang’s nemesis may know neuroscience (or maybe not, I don’t know….) but that doesn’t mean that she knows science ed.  Tim and I have spent a good deal of the last three months in on the East Coast, working with the National Academies, and with fabulous folks in great places like  the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on just what the next generation of science education should look like in the US.  These experiences make me  think that this school board member with a PhD in neuroscience is a bit out of sync with the bulk of “scientists.”

If the National Academies is buying the idea of “fewer, higher, and clearer” standards, and is absolutely convinced that scientific proficiency is dependent upon engaging in the practice and discourse of science, the neuroscientist may not know as much about science as she thinks she does.  I don’t know the person, and she is most likely acting out of innocent ignorance, but still, she isn’t quite with the program.

The reason this is worth discussing in this forum, is that these discussions are going on all around the country, and the folks who are reading this are the people who need to be showing up at local school board meetings, fighting the good fight.  There have been at least two articles in AER related to scientists interaction with the standards. 

“Misconceptions Scientists Often Have About the K-12 National Science Education Standards”, by Cheri Morrow, addresses…well, it’s in the title.  Find it at:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2002008

In “Survey of K–12 Science Teachers' Educational Product Needs from Planetary Scientists”, a study of about 800 alpha teachers indicated that one of the most important things K-12 educators need from this community, is for you to show up at public forums and use your clout to help guide school boards and standards-making agencies.  Legislatures don’t really listen to teachers very much.  Every legislator went to K-12 school, so they’re pretty sure that they know how it should be done.  But scientists?  Legislators and school boards are impressed by you, and will listen….at least some of the time.  Find that article at:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2009005

A third article:  Bybee, R., and Morrow, C. A. 1998, “Improving Science Education: The Role of Scientists,” in Newsletter of the Education Forum of the American Physical Society, Fall 1998, also supports this contention.  There the authors give a framework for the low cost, low time-investment ways that folks who are reading this list-serve can advocate for education.  This article can be found at:  http://istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/BMRoles.pdf

 

If you are interested in what’s going on over at the National Academies and with the evolution of the national science standards, here are some links: 

The work currently being done can be traced starting at this meeting:  Organizing K-12 Science Education around Core Ideas at  http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Core_Ideas_Homepage.html

The background materials including the commissioned papers can be found here:   http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Core_Ideas_Background_Materials.html

The most recent meeting set out the path for future development.  The presentation that is probably the most interesting for this group can be found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Standards_Schweingruber_October_Presentation.pdf  (Note Page 4 which presents the summarizes of what we know about learning right now, and Page 6 that summarizes the four strands of scientific proficiency.)

Another interesting presentation is from Helen Quinn at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Standards_Quinn_October_Presentation.pdf (Note page 6---engineering is being formally included in the science standards!! Yeah!!!)

 

If you are digging this stuff and want to speak in really informed ways (as you battle neuroscientists and other “experts in science education”) you may want to look at the following sources.  If you are interested in improving your classroom instruction or getting into education research, you absolutely HAVE to read these.  I’m not kidding.:

Read this for free, or better yet, buy this book:  “Taking Science to School,” found at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11625  Written based on the biggest, baddest cognitive and classroom research to date.  Written for the K-8 age band, as that is where we have the most research, but an absolute essential for anyone who is interested in education research in any domain.  Also, it speaks to older age ranges in the text. 

What does great science instruction look like in real classrooms?   Read “Ready, Set, Science!” at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11882   Killer stuff.  I use this as my text in Elementary Science Methods. (Which doesn’t make me particularly bright. Lots of people are doing the same.)  If you are ever going to weigh in on the topic of K-12 instruction, arm yourself with the information in this book.  This is the same text that Will Van Der Veen and Theresa Moody gave out for free at AAS a while back.  Thanks to them for turning us on to the work.

Kudos to Ang for showing up to the meeting in the first place, and for stepping out to give the school board a reality check.

Cheers,

Stephanie

Stephanie Slater

Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction

Director of Research, Cognition in Astronomy, Physics and Earth science Research (CAPER) Team

Outreach Professor, Science Math Teaching Center (SMTC)

University of Wyoming

1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY  82071

520-975-3826 (cell)

307-766-6735 (office)

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Speck, Angela
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:32 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Inquiry based learning in K-12

 

 

Hello everyone

 

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

 

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

 

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

 

All comments/suggestion welcome

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2938 From: "Speck, Angela" <speckan@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:46 pm
Subject: RE: For Ang: Arm yourself to engage with your local school board 		akspeck
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 

Thanx to all for the feedback and support.

I actually met with the neuroscientist this morning and she’s a lot more reasonable and informed than the discussion would imply.

So there is hope…

 

However, her biggest concern has more to do with teacher-preparedness and whether they are really capable of implementing inquiry-based methods effectively. With this in mind, and knowing that there will be some (many, I hope) interested parties at the AAS meeting in January I would like to propose a get together to brainstorm and share ideas. In particular, what resources already exist for teacher professional development and what needs to happen locally (since school districts are mostly under local control and do not have funds for out of state travel, having local opportunities is important.)

Following the President’s speech yesterday

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-kicks-educate-innovate

 (it’s wonderful)

there may be more (funding) opportunities…

 

BTW – you know my talk at the AAS meeting will be skewed by this recent experience…

 

Later

 

Ang

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Stephanie J. Slater
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:19 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] For Ang: Arm yourself to engage with your local school board

 

 

Hi Ang and all,

 

Angela is a riot.  Leave it to her to make the local headlines:  ” Segert v. Speck.”   ( If your reading this and haven’t read of Ang’s adventures:  http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/ )

Ang’s nemesis may know neuroscience (or maybe not, I don’t know….) but that doesn’t mean that she knows science ed.  Tim and I have spent a good deal of the last three months in on the East Coast, working with the National Academies, and with fabulous folks in great places like  the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on just what the next generation of science education should look like in the US.  These experiences make me  think that this school board member with a PhD in neuroscience is a bit out of sync with the bulk of “scientists.”

If the National Academies is buying the idea of “fewer, higher, and clearer” standards, and is absolutely convinced that scientific proficiency is dependent upon engaging in the practice and discourse of science, the neuroscientist may not know as much about science as she thinks she does.  I don’t know the person, and she is most likely acting out of innocent ignorance, but still, she isn’t quite with the program.

The reason this is worth discussing in this forum, is that these discussions are going on all around the country, and the folks who are reading this are the people who need to be showing up at local school board meetings, fighting the good fight.  There have been at least two articles in AER related to scientists interaction with the standards. 

“Misconceptions Scientists Often Have About the K-12 National Science Education Standards”, by Cheri Morrow, addresses…well, it’s in the title.  Find it at:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2002008

In “Survey of K–12 Science Teachers' Educational Product Needs from Planetary Scientists”, a study of about 800 alpha teachers indicated that one of the most important things K-12 educators need from this community, is for you to show up at public forums and use your clout to help guide school boards and standards-making agencies.  Legislatures don’t really listen to teachers very much.  Every legislator went to K-12 school, so they’re pretty sure that they know how it should be done.  But scientists?  Legislators and school boards are impressed by you, and will listen….at least some of the time.  Find that article at:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2009005

A third article:  Bybee, R., and Morrow, C. A. 1998, “Improving Science Education: The Role of Scientists,” in Newsletter of the Education Forum of the American Physical Society, Fall 1998, also supports this contention.  There the authors give a framework for the low cost, low time-investment ways that folks who are reading this list-serve can advocate for education.  This article can be found at:  http://istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/BMRoles.pdf

 

If you are interested in what’s going on over at the National Academies and with the evolution of the national science standards, here are some links: 

The work currently being done can be traced starting at this meeting:  Organizing K-12 Science Education around Core Ideas at  http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Core_Ideas_Homepage.html

The background materials including the commissioned papers can be found here:   http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Core_Ideas_Background_Materials.html

The most recent meeting set out the path for future development.  The presentation that is probably the most interesting for this group can be found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Standards_Schweingruber_October_Presentation.pdf  (Note Page 4 which presents the summarizes of what we know about learning right now, and Page 6 that summarizes the four strands of scientific proficiency.)

Another interesting presentation is from Helen Quinn at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Standards_Quinn_October_Presentation.pdf (Note page 6---engineering is being formally included in the science standards!! Yeah!!!)

 

If you are digging this stuff and want to speak in really informed ways (as you battle neuroscientists and other “experts in science education”) you may want to look at the following sources.  If you are interested in improving your classroom instruction or getting into education research, you absolutely HAVE to read these.  I’m not kidding.:

Read this for free, or better yet, buy this book:  “Taking Science to School,” found at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11625  Written based on the biggest, baddest cognitive and classroom research to date.  Written for the K-8 age band, as that is where we have the most research, but an absolute essential for anyone who is interested in education research in any domain.  Also, it speaks to older age ranges in the text. 

What does great science instruction look like in real classrooms?   Read “Ready, Set, Science!” at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11882   Killer stuff.  I use this as my text in Elementary Science Methods. (Which doesn’t make me particularly bright. Lots of people are doing the same.)  If you are ever going to weigh in on the topic of K-12 instruction, arm yourself with the information in this book.  This is the same text that Will Van Der Veen and Theresa Moody gave out for free at AAS a while back.  Thanks to them for turning us on to the work.

Kudos to Ang for showing up to the meeting in the first place, and for stepping out to give the school board a reality check.

Cheers,

Stephanie

Stephanie Slater

Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction

Director of Research, Cognition in Astronomy, Physics and Earth science Research (CAPER) Team

Outreach Professor, Science Math Teaching Center (SMTC)

University of Wyoming

1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY  82071

520-975-3826 (cell)

307-766-6735 (office)

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Speck, Angela
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:32 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Inquiry based learning in K-12

 

 

Hello everyone

 

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

 

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

 

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

 

All comments/suggestion welcome

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 


Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (8)
#2939 From: Eric Brunsell <ebrunsell@...>
Date: Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:02 am
Subject: Re: [Astrolrner@CAE] RE: For Ang: Arm yourself to engage with your local school board 		eric_brunsell
Offline Offline
Send Email Send Email
 
Hi all-
I just wanted to let you know that this discussion (and the online article) is going to become part of my final exam in both my elementary and secondary science methods courses!

Angela, let me know if you need any additional resources or ideas.  I won't be at AAS, but I am willing to help.

Eric Brunsell
Asst. Professor Science Education
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh


On Tue, Nov 24, 2009 at 1:46 PM, Speck, Angela <speckan@...> wrote:
 

Thanx to all for the feedback and support.

I actually met with the neuroscientist this morning and she’s a lot more reasonable and informed than the discussion would imply.

So there is hope…

 

However, her biggest concern has more to do with teacher-preparedness and whether they are really capable of implementing inquiry-based methods effectively. With this in mind, and knowing that there will be some (many, I hope) interested parties at the AAS meeting in January I would like to propose a get together to brainstorm and share ideas. In particular, what resources already exist for teacher professional development and what needs to happen locally (since school districts are mostly under local control and do not have funds for out of state travel, having local opportunities is important.)

Following the President’s speech yesterday

http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/president-obama-kicks-educate-innovate

 (it’s wonderful)

there may be more (funding) opportunities…

 

BTW – you know my talk at the AAS meeting will be skewed by this recent experience…

 

Later

 

Ang

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Stephanie J. Slater
Sent: Tuesday, November 24, 2009 12:19 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] For Ang: Arm yourself to engage with your local school board

 

 

Hi Ang and all,

 

Angela is a riot.  Leave it to her to make the local headlines:  ” Segert v. Speck.”   ( If your reading this and haven’t read of Ang’s adventures:  http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/ )

Ang’s nemesis may know neuroscience (or maybe not, I don’t know….) but that doesn’t mean that she knows science ed.  Tim and I have spent a good deal of the last three months in on the East Coast, working with the National Academies, and with fabulous folks in great places like  the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on just what the next generation of science education should look like in the US.  These experiences make me  think that this school board member with a PhD in neuroscience is a bit out of sync with the bulk of “scientists.”

If the National Academies is buying the idea of “fewer, higher, and clearer” standards, and is absolutely convinced that scientific proficiency is dependent upon engaging in the practice and discourse of science, the neuroscientist may not know as much about science as she thinks she does.  I don’t know the person, and she is most likely acting out of innocent ignorance, but still, she isn’t quite with the program.

The reason this is worth discussing in this forum, is that these discussions are going on all around the country, and the folks who are reading this are the people who need to be showing up at local school board meetings, fighting the good fight.  There have been at least two articles in AER related to scientists interaction with the standards. 

“Misconceptions Scientists Often Have About the K-12 National Science Education Standards”, by Cheri Morrow, addresses…well, it’s in the title.  Find it at:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2002008

In “Survey of K–12 Science Teachers' Educational Product Needs from Planetary Scientists”, a study of about 800 alpha teachers indicated that one of the most important things K-12 educators need from this community, is for you to show up at public forums and use your clout to help guide school boards and standards-making agencies.  Legislatures don’t really listen to teachers very much.  Every legislator went to K-12 school, so they’re pretty sure that they know how it should be done.  But scientists?  Legislators and school boards are impressed by you, and will listen….at least some of the time.  Find that article at:  http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/AER2009005

A third article:  Bybee, R., and Morrow, C. A. 1998, “Improving Science Education: The Role of Scientists,” in Newsletter of the Education Forum of the American Physical Society, Fall 1998, also supports this contention.  There the authors give a framework for the low cost, low time-investment ways that folks who are reading this list-serve can advocate for education.  This article can be found at:  http://istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/istp/BMRoles.pdf

 

If you are interested in what’s going on over at the National Academies and with the evolution of the national science standards, here are some links: 

The work currently being done can be traced starting at this meeting:  Organizing K-12 Science Education around Core Ideas at  http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Core_Ideas_Homepage.html

The background materials including the commissioned papers can be found here:   http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Core_Ideas_Background_Materials.html

The most recent meeting set out the path for future development.  The presentation that is probably the most interesting for this group can be found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Standards_Schweingruber_October_Presentation.pdf  (Note Page 4 which presents the summarizes of what we know about learning right now, and Page 6 that summarizes the four strands of scientific proficiency.)

Another interesting presentation is from Helen Quinn at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/Standards_Quinn_October_Presentation.pdf (Note page 6---engineering is being formally included in the science standards!! Yeah!!!)

 

If you are digging this stuff and want to speak in really informed ways (as you battle neuroscientists and other “experts in science education”) you may want to look at the following sources.  If you are interested in improving your classroom instruction or getting into education research, you absolutely HAVE to read these.  I’m not kidding.:

Read this for free, or better yet, buy this book:  “Taking Science to School,” found at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11625  Written based on the biggest, baddest cognitive and classroom research to date.  Written for the K-8 age band, as that is where we have the most research, but an absolute essential for anyone who is interested in education research in any domain.  Also, it speaks to older age ranges in the text. 

What does great science instruction look like in real classrooms?   Read “Ready, Set, Science!” at:  http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=11882   Killer stuff.  I use this as my text in Elementary Science Methods. (Which doesn’t make me particularly bright. Lots of people are doing the same.)  If you are ever going to weigh in on the topic of K-12 instruction, arm yourself with the information in this book.  This is the same text that Will Van Der Veen and Theresa Moody gave out for free at AAS a while back.  Thanks to them for turning us on to the work.

Kudos to Ang for showing up to the meeting in the first place, and for stepping out to give the school board a reality check.

Cheers,

Stephanie

Stephanie Slater

Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Instruction

Director of Research, Cognition in Astronomy, Physics and Earth science Research (CAPER) Team

Outreach Professor, Science Math Teaching Center (SMTC)

University of Wyoming

1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY  82071

520-975-3826 (cell)

307-766-6735 (office)

 

 

From: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com [mailto:astrolrner@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Speck, Angela
Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:32 PM
To: astrolrner@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Astrolrner@CAE] Inquiry based learning in K-12

 

 

Hello everyone

 

I find myself embroiled in an argument with my local school board over the use of inquiry-based teaching strategies in grade 6-8. (Those of you that are also Facebook friends may have seen this already)

 

Here’s a link to our local newspaper’s blog entry, and ensuing comments:

http://www.columbiatribune.com/weblogs/homeroom/2009/nov/18/segert-v-speck/

Essentially the two most vociferous school board members do not want any inquiry in grades 6-8 classrooms!

I find this bizarre, irritating, and something I am going to fight, but I would welcome comments from the people on this forum, especially from those people who deal with K-12 curricula.

 

I suspect the issue is largely about the perception that “inquiry” means open inquiry or discovery, rather than guided inquiry which is still teacher led.

I have no doubt that open inquiry could be disastrous at the 6-8 grade…

 

All comments/suggestion welcome

 

_______________________________________________

Dr. Angela Speck

Associate Professor

Physics & Astronomy

University of Missouri

Columbia, MO 65211

 

Tel: 573 882 8371

Cell: 573 489 6075

Fax: 573 882 4195

 

http://web.missouri.edu/~speckan

http://stardust.missouri.edu

 

"If we knew what we were doing,

it wouldn't be called research, would it?"

_______________________________________________

 



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