Search

The article presents information about an interactive science field experience for middle school students. These students were taken to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia, and had them perform research using a 40-ft. radio telescope. Students were given a quick exploratory session designed to assess prior knowledge, to give them an overview of the electromagnetic spectrum. Later they were provided with a working model of a radio telescope scan to determine the intensity of an object. To perform independent investigations, the class was divided into four research groups. Members from each group practiced technical skills like finding a radio source in a source catalog, and positioning the telescope to the proper coordinates.

The article reports that a national research facility named, the National Radio Astronomy Observation (NRAO) in Green Bank, West Virginia, is providing science teachers and their students a glimpse into the world of the research scientist. It allows students to take advantage of the 40 feet telescope since as early as the seventh grade. The radio telescope on site was recommissioned as a dedicated education tool. The observatory launched an aggressive teacher education program in 1987. It was aimed at making the teaching of science like science research itself. The program allows teachers to work closely with NRAO scientists. In addition, it gives them an opportunity to interact with professional astronomers from around the world. After returning to their districts, the teachers are expected to share ideas with other participants and staff via the Internet. In addition, they are expected to adopt research-oriented teaching practices to lead their students through open-ended investigations. The teacher journals, which were written during the institute affirms the teachers' advancement as scientific thinkers.