Innovative Hands-on Space-Physics Excersises in Moscow University

The paper presents an innovative educational project in the area of space research and near-Earth space sciences, developed by Skobeltsyn Institute of Nuclear Physics (Moscow State University) in collaboration with its partners. Special attention is devoted to the application of the modern technologies in educational process. One of the key points of our project concerns the development of new generation of practice exercises. The beginning of the project was associated with the launch of the first University satellite "Universitetskij-Tatyana" (January 2005). The scientists developed a number of exercises, based not only on the scientific data obtained from the board of the satellite, but also on technical data and parameters of this and other satellites. It allows to use them not only for special-level students, but also for the students of general physics and engineering departments. Structurally the exercises can be divided into two parts: ââ√¬Å∜traditiona lââ√¬ï¿Â&#1 89; practice exercises, implementation of which includes teacherââ√¬ââˆ&#3 82;¢s participation, and fully computerized exercises, which are carried out independently, without teacherââ√¬ââˆ&#3 82;¢s presence. They include two sections: "the Earth" and "the Sun". The developed exercises introduce students to the basics of space physics and at the same time teach them to operate real scientific data, using special programs. The presented exercises can be also used as demonstration of the space processes for pupils of the secondary school.