The role of authentic astronomy in the classroom: does participating in authentic astronomy activities increase knowledge and improve attitude towards science?
Abstract
This paper examines the impact of authentic science activities on student knowledge and attitudes. It uses optical astronomy as a core research theme. Modern, relatively cheap automated telescopes and imaging software has made transient object searches a valuable addition to research based searches conducted by professional astronomers. It is an exciting field of modern research where discoveries can have real life implications, such as discovering potentially hazardous near Earth asteroids. This has provided an opportunity to use transient object searches as a tool for authentic science in the classroom. My research followed the attitude of students aged eleven to seventeen in Australian schools, as they use research grade telescopes to study known asteroids and search for ones yet to be discovered.
- Publication:
-
39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012cosp...39..735H