Return to Physics Methods CoursesRealizing the Democratic Ideal:
Teacher Education at Illinois State University
Physics 201, Two Semester Hour Lab Course
Illinois State University
Autumn Semester 1997
I. INSTRUCTOR:
Name: Carl J. Wenning, PTE Program Director
Office Location: Moulton Hall, room 322
Office Hours: drop in or by appointment
Telephones: (309) 438-2957 (wk), 454-4164 (hm)
e-mail address: wenning@phy.ilstu.edu - or - cjwennin@ilstu.edu
II. CLASSES/INSTRUCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Students will arrange to meet as a group with the instructor once or twice per week at a mutually agreeable time. Interaction between the instructor and student frequently will be one-on-one. Some of the course work will be in the form of directed but independent laboratory work.
III. REQUIRED TEXT:
No text is required for this course. However, a reference textbook in astronomy is highly recommended. Supplemental readings will be selected from a variety of library books, manuals, and publications too numerous to mention. These reading materials are maintained by the course instructor and by the Physics Department. Readings will be assigned as appropriate and necessary for each lab exercise.
IV. COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The course will introduce elements of astronomy teaching at the high school level. Students will learn how to make astronomical observations using a variety of instruments, reduce data, and use a planetarium to teach astronomical concepts to school groups and the general public. Students will create numerous demonstrations, worksheets, and lab exercises. Students will work with computer-based astronomy applications as well.
This course is an optional lab designed to complement and extend concepts presented in PHY 101. Special emphasis placed on the role of astronomy in the secondary school curriculum. By completing this course students will be eligible for a third teaching endorsement.
WARNING: This course may not be taken in fulfillment of the ISBE requirement for certification in a second teaching area. Students being certified in physics at the secondary level must also become certified in a second academic subject area (usually chemistry) as required by Illinois school law. The Physics Department recognizes the importance of this requirement and does not want its majors being certified in astronomy at the expense of chemistry, mathematics, or some other regularly-taught school subject.
V. NUMBER AND TYPES OF DEVICES USED FOR EVALUATION:
Laboratory exercises, worksheets, field exercises (telescope observing), and live presentations (planetarium and classroom) will serve as the basis of evaluation in this course.
APPROXIMATE % OF GRADE ASSIGNED TO EVALUATION DEVICES
Paper-and-pencil projects 10%
In-house labs 15%
Observing projects 20%
Telescope viewing session 20%
Planetarium sky lecture 20%
Quizzes and Tests 15%
VI. TENTATIVE COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE (This content will not necessarily be treated in a sequential manner; neither is it certain that all topics will be addressed.)
A. introduction to the planetarium (2 weeks)
1. presentation of a sky lecture to live audience
2. completion of 4 planetarium lab activities
B. stars, constellations, and star maps (1 week)
1. Abrams Sky Calendar
2. planispheres
3. time & temperature
4. latitude determination
5. AAVSO variable star work
6. Equatorial star chart SC1
C. celestial globe exercises (1 week)
1. celestial coordinate systems
2. reasons for the seasons
D. "solar system" activities (1 week)
1. solar motions
2. lunar motions
3. planetary motions
4. diurnal motions of the stars
E. telescopes (2 weeks)
1. telescope types and function
2. observing practices
3. observing sessions
F. astronomical calculations (2 weeks)
1. using astronomical handbooks
2. introduction to spherical astronomy
3. basics of celestial navigation
G. computer applications (1 week)
1. Voyager II
2. Eclipse
3. Hands on Universe
4. Astronomy Village
H. sky lore and pseudoscience (1 week)
1. introduction to sky lore
2. basic principles of astrology
I. outdoor activities: The Galileo Guide (2 weeks)
J. astrophotography (1 week)
1. photographic procedures
2. B&W film processing
3. B&W printing
K. satellite chasing (1 week)
1. AVES program
2. NASA-based orbital elements
3. observations
L. Internet Resources (1 week)