This article describes a classroom activity in which a solar eclipse is simulated and a mathematical model is developed to explain the data. Students use manipulative devices and graphing calculators to carry out the experiment and then compare their results to those collected in Koolymilka, Australia, during the 2002 eclipse.

The purpose of this study was to describe selected content knowledge held by 52 preservice elementary teachers about the observable phases of the moon and the monthly pattern of change in observable phases. Data were obtained from participants in a physics course before and after they received inquiry-based instruction designed to promote…

This study factor analytically examined the convergence of three questionnaires used in previous research to measure night-sky related attitudes and behaviors in a sample of 72 college students. One factor emerged accounting for the majority of variance in responses. It was concluded that the single factor found across separate measures used in…

A method of measuring the orbital velocity of the Moon around the Earth using a digital camera is described. Separate images of the Moon and stars taken 24 hours apart were loaded into Microsoft PowerPoint and the centre of the Moon marked on each image. Four stars common to both images were connected together to form a "home-made" constellation.…

This article describes the mediated American Sing Language (ASL) presentation of technical vocabulary and definitions within the context of a web-based astronomy course for first year students at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf at Rochester Institute of Technology (Rochester, NY). Deaf students showed achievement gains with fewer…

The purpose of this study was twofold. First, it was aimed to identify Turkish pre-service physics teachers' knowledge and understanding of the Moon, Moon phases, and other lunar phenomena. Second, the effects of model-based teaching on pre-service teachers' conceptions were examined. Conceptions were proposed as mental models in this study. Four…

This research concerns the development and assessment of a program of introductory astronomy conceptual exercises called ranking tasks. These exercises were designed based on results from science education research, learning theory, and classroom pilot studies. The investigation involved a single-group repeated measures experiment across eight key…

In this study, a desktop virtual reality earth motion system (DVREMS) is designed and developed to be applied in the classroom. The system is implemented to assist elementary school students to clarify earth motion concepts using virtual reality principles. A study was conducted to observe the influences of the proposed system in learning.…

The study of conceptual change traces its heritage to the notions of paradigm (networks of shared beliefs, concepts, practices) and paradigm shift made famous by Thomas Kuhn in his book, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions". Kuhn's work was quickly linked to developmental psychology (how knowledge develops) and to science education (teaching…

This book is designed to present mathematical problems and tasks that focus on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) curriculum and evaluation standards in the context of aerospace activities. It aims at actively engaging students in NCTM's four process standards: (1) problem solving; (2) mathematical reasoning; (3) communicating…

This book is designed to present mathematical problems and tasks that focus on the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) curriculum and evaluation standards in the context of aerospace activities. It aims at introducing students to some of the exciting and significant ways in which mathematics might continue to engage them in whatever…

Presents a 56 item quiz pertaining to the space sciences. The questions are in programmed format and are appropriate to the secondary school level. (MLH)

Describes a kindergarten science program, concerning astronomy, designed to introduce scientific concepts into the curriculum at an early age. Specific activities in conjunction with the unit are detailed. (BR)

A recently copyrighted instrument called the Geochron has been successfully used as a visual aid in teaching several major concepts of astronomical geography at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. The article discusses and illustrates the use of the Geochron to demonstrate earth-sun relationships, world time, and time zones. (Author/RM)