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Seminars/Workshops
In January, 1995 a two-day seminar/workshop with the teachers involved in this project was conducted at Tennessee State University. Lee Ann Hennig and Jerry Berenty, astronomy and physics teachers at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia were present along with Beth Tarpley a science teacher from Gallatin High School, and Rick O'Hara and Bill Rodriguez, the principal and astronomy and physics teacher from the University School of Nashville. Dr. Michael Busby, Director of the Center of Excellence in Information Systems and the three astronomers (Greg Henry, Dr. Joel Eaton, and Dr. Frank Fekel) were also present as was Dr. Victoria J. Risko of Vanderbilt University a consultant. Dr. Michael Busby and Dr. Alvarez met with Dr. Scott Massey, Director of the Leonard Bernstein Center who will also be a consultant and a collaborative partner with our project. Presentations were made by the astronomers describing their research and the role of automatic photoelectric telescopes, the Director explaining the role of the Center of Excellence, and Alvarez who described the educational plan.
In October, 1997, a seminar/workshop was held at the Tennessee State University's Center of Excellence in Information Systems offices. Dr.Doreen Grener (earth and space teacher) and John Kruzan (physics teacher) at Wellington School in Columbus, Ohio, Terry King (astronomy and physics teacher) of Hunters Lane High School, Nashville, Tennessee, Bill Rodriguez (astronomy and physics teacher), University School of Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, met with Greg Henry (TSU astronomer), Dr. Mike Busby (Director of the Center of Excellence in Information Systems), and Dr. Marino Alvarez to discuss ways to involve these teachers and their students in the Explorers of the Universe Project.
Greg Henry described the operation of TSU's automatic photoelectric telescopes (APTs), which he programs from the Center of Excellence. The telescopes are located at Fairborn Observatory at 5500 feet elevation in the Patagonia Mountains near Washington Camp in southern Arizona. He discussed the photometric monitoring of chromospherically active stars with the 16-inch APT as well as his observations of Sun-like stars with the 30-inch and 30-inch APTs. These observations will help astronomers to understand long-term changes in the Sun's brightness and their impact on the earth's climate. They are also important in searches for planets around other stars. Greg compiled a list of books, journal articles and web sites for the teachers. Mike offered to provide several copies of the books to the teachers to establish a library for them and their students and serve as an onsite reference as they pursue their investigations .
Bill Rodriguez reviewed the Explorers of the Universe Technical Manual that he and Lee Ann Hennig wrote for students to analyze data received from the APTs. The mathematical procedures and graphing techniques were reviewed. The manual was field-tested by their high school students last year. Greg Henry served as the consultant in preparing the manual. The manual will be put on the web site for students and teachers affiliated with the Explorers Project to access during the course of their data analyses.
Marino Alvarez explained the importance of using concept maps and vee diagrams when preparing, carrying out, and finalizing student case reports. The Interactive Vee Diagram developed for this project was explained as a tool for learning and exchanging information in collaborative forums with teachers, students, scientists, and university educators. The Interactive Vee Diragram appears on the Net and is restricted to those teachers and students affiliated with the Explorers project. Feeback is provided electroncially and ideas are shared among teachers, students, scientists, and university educators. The Case Guide, describing the format and procedures for students engaging in case investigations, was explained and appears on the Explorers of the Universe web site. Plans for submitting teacher and student papers for publication and presentations at the NASA University Research Center (URC) Technical Conference on Aeronautics and Space and Technology, Earth System Sciences, Global Hydrology, and Education, in Huntsville, Alabama in February, 1998 were discussed.
Doreen, John, and Marino visited Bill's astronomy class and discussed student collaborative activities. Lee Ann Hennig (astronomy teacher), Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia, and Terry King (astronomy and physics teacher) at Hunters Lane High School will also have their students collaborating with these teachers as the year progresses.
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Dr. Novak is known for his research in science education and the use of concept mapping. He has published extensively on the uses of concept mapping in education. He has applied Metacognitive tools in schools and corporations to facilitate meaningful learning and knowledge creation. In June, 1999, Professor Novak visited the TSU Campus, sponsored by the Explorers of the Universe, Center of Excellence in Informtion Systems. He met with the Explorers staff and presented a lecture on Concept Mapping to an audience from TSU and Vanderbilt University. Dr. Novak was impressed with the students work in using concept mapping in an interactive process in the Explorers of the Universe project, and has included some examples in a forthcoming publication.
Dr. Gowin is the developer of the vee diagram. He has published two influential books for using vee diagrams as metacognitive tools to learning: Educating, and Learning How To Learn with J.D. Novak. Professor Gowin presented a lecture on the uses of the Vee Diagram to simplify complexity with ideas in October, 1999. The lecture was sponsored by the Explorers staff and presented a lecture on "Simplyijng Complexity Without Denying It" to an audience from TSU and Vanderbilt University. He became interested in the uses of the Interactive Vee Diagram and is working with the Explorers staff in the evaluation component.
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