Last updated September 16, 2003.
Project CLEA in the 21st Century: Observational Astronomy
Simulations in the Instructional Laboratory
Dick Cooper, Gettysburg College, dcooper@gettysburg.edu
Though the value of hands-on learning has long been recognized by educators,
it is difficult to design laboratories in astronomy classes that present realistic
astrophysical techniques to undergraduate students. Unlike most other sciences,
astronomy is largely observational, not experimental, and making useful observations
involves expensive equipment over time scales incovenient for pedagogy. In recent
years, however, astronomy has gone almost completely digital, and the advent
of large on-line data bases and fast personal computers has made it possible
to realistically simulate the experience of research astrophysics in the laboratory.
Since 1992, Project CLEA (Contemporary Laboratory Experiences in Astronomy) has been developing such computer-based exercises aimed primarily at the introductory astronomy laboratory. These exercises simulate important techniques of astronomical research using digital data and Windows-based software. Each of the 9 exercises developed to date consists of software, technical guides for teachers, and student manuals for the exercises.
CLEA software is used at many institutions in all 50 States and over 60 countries world-wide, in a variety of settings from middle school to upperclass astronomy classes. We will describe and demonstrate some of the CLEA materials and talk about our design philosophy. The workshop will focus on the two newest labs, Object X and Solar Rotation, but all participants will receive a CD with all the LATEST CLEA software and documentation. Hopefully, it will be of value to be used in your curriculum.
Plans for future development will be presented. Project CLEA is supported by grants from Gettysburg College and the National Science Foundation. http://www.gettysburg.edu/academics/physics/clea/CLEAhome.html
Creating Interactive Applets with Macromedia Director
Raman Pfaff, Explorelearning
Web-based physics applets allow students to actively explore concepts
in classroom demonstrations or independent study, and can be integrated with
online assessment to increase student learning. Creation of the applets (similar
to those at www.ExploreLearning.com
and www.ExploreScience.com) is possible
with many techniques (JAVA, Flash, VRML, etc.). This interactive tutorial will
focus on Macromedia Director (for the Mac or PC platform). The tutorial will
present the fundamentals of Director, and the Director programming language
(Lingo) that enables advanced simulations. Topics will include creation of an
interactive applet, importing cast members, developing scripts, and placing
completed files on the Web, along with discussion of the Havok Physics Xtra
and 3D support that are included with Macromedia Director. While demonstrating
the software, we will step through the entire development process for a simple
simulation. Each participant will receive a CD with sample files.
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"http://www.physics.udel.edu/csaapt/Fall2003/abstracts.html"
Last updated September 16, 2003. |