A self-paced individually prescribed instruction system at the introductory level of astronomy was studied, using 118 students to illustrate its effectiveness in comparison with a lecture-demonstration method. Seventeen terminal behavioral objectives served as the basis for the self-paced system. Subjects were divided into two sections, each…

The booklet contains information about an experimental space science survey course which explores the tools and methods used to study space. Included are a list of 22 performance objectives, an outline of the content in the course, lists of experiments, demonstrations, and projects for the course and the books in which these are to be found, a…

The major problem of this study was the development of an instrument, the Planetarium Test on Annual Motion (PTAM), that would use an observational format in the planetarium as a reasonable substitute for the real sky to evaluate the attainment of instructional objectives related to selected concepts on the annual motions of the sun, moon, and…

This article describes a summer Field Astronomy course designed to give secondary students the opportunity to use the telescope as a laboratory instrument, to learn telescope optics, and to do experiments related to observation. The equipment is described and illustrated. (Author/MA)

Presents a brief review of man's study of the planets from early visual observations to present day investigation by interplanetary spacecraft. (SL)

Consists of the second part of the 1985 annotated review of technical books done by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. This listing was primarily designed for graduate students or research scientists. (TW)

Addresses the strategy and policy implications of effective ballistic missile defense and the scope/priorities of a research program underway to determine its technical feasibility. Several types of "smart bullets" are described, along with sensing devices for space, air, and ground. Procedures established to centrally plan/control the program are…

A series of 12 reports on the Voyager Two experiments in the Uranian system. Reports are included on: (1) imaging science; (2) photometry; (3) infrared; (4) ultraviolet; (5) radio science; (6) magnetic fields; (7) plasma; (8) charged particles; (9) magnetosphere (hot plasma and radiation); (10) radion observations; and (11) plasma waves. An…

Describes an activity which simulates a trip to the moon. Explains the preparations, procedures, and tests involved in this culminating activity of an astronomy unit for the third grade student. Examples of student's assignments during the exercise are included. (ML)

Presents an annotated list of technical and non-technical astronomy books. Topic areas of non-technical books include general astronomy, amateur astronomy, computers and astronomy, history of astronomy, pseudoscience, space exploration, physics and astronomy, and textbooks. Each entry includes author, title, description, source, and current cost.…

Discusses teaching methods for less able students, contradictions on the status of primary science, student produced slide-tape programs, and a world studies perspective for third-year chemistry. Also reports on science and personal education, chemistry examinations of the department of science and art, and astronomy in schools. (DH)

Describes the use of a 35-millimeter camera with color slide film to produce photographs of constellations, star trails, bright comets, aurorae, and meteor showers. Discusses film speed, lenses, f-stop settings, exposure times, and other items related to astrophotographic technique; provides ideas for use of slides in the classroom. (JM)

Describes physics experiments and apparatus construction for studies in astronomy, electricity, wave measurement and speed, the behavior of steel, and intermolecular forces. Includes a detailed description of how to simulate apparent trajectories of the moon and sun. (CS)

NASA CONNECT is a research and standards-based annual series of integrated mathematics, science, and technology instructional distance learning programs for students in grades 6-8. This program has three components: (1) a 30-minute television broadcast which can be viewed live or taped for later use; (2) a companion educator's guide including a…

The American Institute of Physics has regularly reported information about physics and astronomy graduate students since 1968. In more recent years the survey has shifted to focus on first-year graduate students, with a survey of the full population of graduate students every few years. This report covers surveys of first-year students for the…