The Sun to the Earth -- and Beyond A Decadal Research Strategy in Solar and Space Physics (2003) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
6. Education and Public Outreach
6. Education and Public Outreach
Pages 126-146
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 126... ...
To address the broader issue of contributions by solar and space physics to science literacy and appreciation, the committee focused on undergraduate physics and astronomy general education courses, which influence a significant number of potential school teachers at all levels, as well as on 126
|
From page 127... ...
Solar and space physics can be a valuable tool for motivating and educating students, for informing the public, and for illustrating important lessons of physical science (Figure 6.11. The strengthening of science and technology education is an important national goal whose achievement would bolster the country's workforce in science and engineering and also ensure a citizenry that is able to cope with and understand the technical forces that are shaping the contemporary world.4 EDUCATING FUTURE SOLAR AND SPACE PHYSICISTS Augmenting the Faculty When the newest results from spacecraft exploration of the Sun and of Earth's environment in space are reported, even the youngest students express great interest and enthusiasm.
|
From page 128... ...
physical sciences have little knowledge of the space environment that envelops our planet. At the same time, solar and space physics has continued to become an ever greater element of our national research portfolio.
|
From page 129... ...
students has continued to drop. Strong measures of diverse types are required to attract students to the relevant programs and maintain effective research at universities.4 Various approaches could be used to encourage colleges and universities, particularly the top-tier research universities, to include solar and space physics topics as an integral part of their physical science curricula and to foster continuing strong research in the field.
|
From page 130... ...
~ . ~ entities, including the Santa Barbara Theory Institute, the NSF Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM)
|
From page 131... ...
Ranging from student-based missions e.g., the Student Nitric Oxide Explorer, designed, built, and operated at the University of Colorado with the participation of more than 100 students to single-student projects in data analysis, theory, or experimentation, such research opportunities can help students directly realize the excitement of scientific exploration (Figure 6.21. At Augsburg College, for example, a student analyzed data from an array of NSF-supported instruments in the Antarctic; at Middlebury College, a student worked through the algebra of an analytical model of solar prominences; at the University of California at Los Angeles, students helped to archive Galileo magnetometer data; and at Will lams College, students joined an expedition to view a solar eclipse and study the solar corona.
|
From page 132... ...
(a) Students at the University of Colorado built and operated the Student Nitric Oxide Explorer, |
From page 133... ...
Undergraduate research programs have contributed effectively to enhancing the recruitment and retention of science majors, as seen, for example, in the successful efforts of some physics departments to increase the number of graduating majors (see sidebar, "Degrees Awarded in Undergraduate Physics Programs Gains and Losses". Initiatives aimed at attracting a broader cross section of students to solar and space physics are also vital (see sidebar, "Diversity in Space Physics".
|
From page 134... ...
Few of the department chairs see themselves or their fellow physics faculty members as the problem, although one chair mentioned aging faculty as a significant factor in the decline. In contrast, the seven UBig Gainers" had implemented reformed curricula, particularly in the introductory courses.
|
From page 135... ...
The NSF's Diversity Initiative program has offered grants to a variety of universities and organizations such as the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science. In the summer of 2000, NASA's Office of Space Science launched its Minority University Initiative, which has made available to institutions serving minorities funds for a wide range of programs, such as new space science courses or degree programs, public education, and outreach efforts.
|
From page 136... ...
Solar and Space Physics in Basic Undergraduate Instruction The inclusion of solar and space physics topics in instructional programs that reach a student audience beyond physical science and engineering majors is another important educational goal. In the basic physics and introductory astronomy courses taken by students in many fields to fulfill the science requirement of a general education component and taught at just about every university and college across the nation, solar and space physics topics and issues are often treated superficially, if at all.
|
From page 137... ...
Directed at improving the quality of teaching and learning, these sample approaches follow principles recommended in recent NRC studies44 and prevalent in the physics education literature.42 Solar and space physics can also contribute significantly to the impact of introductory science courses that are taught across the country to strengthen science literacy for nonscientists. Topics such as the Sun as a star, Earth as a planet, and the space environment surrounding Earth and other solar system objects provide opportunities to illustrate basic physical principles with relevant examples (see sidebar, "Space Physics Topics in Introductory Science Courses".
|
From page 138... ...
Furthermore, interactive tools allow students to explore concepts such as electric and magnetic fields, the motion of charged particles, and the excitation and radiation of atmospheric gases as they watch the effects of changing parameters in simple graphical models. These interactive, inquiry-based learning activities are proving to be effective in developing long-term understanding of concepts, particularly for students whose levels of achievement in past science courses have tended to be low.44 Some of the ingredients of solar and space physics-based instructional materials for introductory physics and astronomy courses already exist.
|
From page 139... ...
Solar and space physics researchers will have to team with experienced educators to ensure that such educational produce are eRecEve and meet the appropriate curMculum standards Nether college or precollege levels
|
From page 140... ...
Solar and Space Physics in K-12 Education and Public Outreach National Science Education Standards Solar and space physics also has much to offer in enriching K-12 education (Figure 6.~. The NRC's National Science Education Standards, a set of guidelines developed to help teachers and administrators enhance the quality of science education across the nation, covers process and style of education in the sciences and technology as well as specific contently Physical science and Earth and space science are two of the eight subject areas recommended for inclusion in the K-12 science curriculum (see sidebar, "National Science Education Standards".
|
From page 141... ...
the Sun-Earth Connection Education Forum, NASA's clearinghouse for connecting solar and space physics scientists and educators, |
From page 142... ...
142 THE SUN TO THE EARTH AND BEYOND Content Standards Unifying concepts and processes Science as inquiry Physical science Life science Physical Science Standards Levels K-4 Properties of objects and materials Position and motion of objects Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism Earth and Space Science Standards Earth and space science Science and technology Science in personal and social perspectives History and nature of science Levels 5-8 Properties and changes in properties of matter Motions and forces Transfer of energy Levels 9- 12 Structure of atoms Structure and properties of matter Chemical reactions Motions and forces Conservation of energy and increase in disorder Interactions of energy and matter Levels K-4 Levels 5-8 Levels 9-12 Properties of Earth Structure of the Earth Energy in the Earth system materials system Geochemicalcycles Objects in the sky Earth's history Origin and evolution of the Changes in Earth Earth in the solar system Earth system and sky Origin and evolution of the universe
|
From page 143... ...
to improve instruction in science-related subjects. Finding: Solar and space physics can play an important role in the implementation of national science education standards and state standards in science and technology, especially in middle and high schools in the subject areas of physical science and Earth and space science.
|
From page 144... ...
These supplements to grants have enabled solar and space physics researchers to become involved in education and public outreach activities at the local level.22 Finding: NASA-funded education and public outreach projects encourage and permit researchers to collaborate with educators on a wide variety of educational activities related to solar and space physics, many of which have a substantial impact on public awareness of issues in solar and space physics and their link to broader science and technology concerns.
|
From page 145... ...
. Overall, 3 percent of physics faculty members are retiring every year, and this rate is expected to increase (Ivie, R., K
|
From page 146... ...
13. National Science Teachers Association, College Pathways to the Science Education Standards, 2001; NRC, Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Mathematics, Engineering and Techno/ogy, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 1999; NRC, Educating Teachers of Science, Mathematics, and Techno/ogy: New Practices for the New Mi//ennium, National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 2000; National Commission on Mathematics and Science Teaching for the 21st Century (the Glenn Commission)
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.