OAO/PMO newsletter and Info about Summer Research Camp
Here's an updated Newsletter for WINTER, 2011-2012, I'm not promising a monthly update, but I did want to cover some key points for the schoolyear.
The Research Camp went well, there should be several papers produced. If you'd like to apply for next year, please contact Rick, rkang@efn.org. We're looking for teams of 3 to 5 people from High Schools, Colleges, and Universities, along with their teachers/professors. Thanks! --------------------------------------------------------------------------
OREGON ASTROPHYSICS OUTREACH and
UofO’s
PINE MOUNTAIN OBSERVATORY
Newsletter
- Winter, 2011 by Rick Kang rkang@efn.org Web Version
Resources, Links, What’s up
in current sky all at http://oregonsky.org/
Newsletter
Contents:
1. Science Inquiry
Projects in September with real sky.
2. Invite Rick to
your classroom (all grades).
3. Bring your class
to Pine Mountain Observatory near Bend.
4. Eugene
Astronomical Society holds First Quarter Friday events.
5. Visit your local
Planetarium: Sci Factory (Eugene), Chemeketa CC (Salem),
OMSI (Portland), Mount Hood
CC (Gresham), North
Medford
High School
----------------------------------------------------------------
1. DO SCIENCE
INQUIRY with real sky:
Inquiry involves
collection, analysis, and interpretation of data.
a. Young students: Look at a starry night sky (without Moon). What DIFFERENCES can be noted among the various dots? Why might the dots have a range of brightness?
b. Older students: Again using the real sky, what about color differences of the dots? Would objects that appear bright also be hot? Why would they display a variety of colors?
c. Advanced students: Keep track of Jupiter and its Moons (using a small telescope or even binoculars braced against a post of fence. Plot the Moons night to night. What could you determine? Why did early astronomers conclude these dots orbited Jupiter?
NEED HELP? CONTACT Rick,
rkang@efn.org , 541-683-1381
VOCAB: Magnitude: how bright an object appears, compared to other objects. Spectrum: range of colors (wavelenghts/energies) of light. Cycle: completion of a repetitive action, like an orbit.
2. DOING
SPACE? Invite Rick Kang to visit your classroom
to present an inquiry-based investigation about an astrophysical topic: Lessons for individual classes (not
assemblies), ALL grade levels, large variety of topics available, 45 mins for
early elementary, 75-90 mins or multiple sessions for older students. Rick brings all the props and digital
resources, he’ll need a table for the gear, an LCD projector to hook his laptop
to, and a screen (darkenable room) to project onto.
See http://oregonsky.org
for more details. This year we’re lowering our rates: We ask
for a $10-20 optional donation per school to UO Physics toward equipment
use. Rick still needs travel costs
covered for round trips over 40 miles from Eugene,
ask for details when you contact Rick to schedule, rkang@efn.org.
3. UO’s Pine
Mountain Observatory just closed for the Winter, but is taking reservations for school groups for the Spring (April and later).
Contact Mark
Dunaway at Pine
Mountain, markpmo@uoregon.edu, or 541-382-8331. http://pmo.uoregon.edu/
4. Eugene
Astronomical Society holds First Quarter Friday public drop in sky viewing at
College Hill Reservoir (23rd-26th Aves., Lincoln and
Lawrence Sts.), dusk-1100 PM. Details: http://eugeneastro.org/
The club also takes
requests to hold viewing sessions at schools.
See calendar/info at EAS website.
5. Bring your class
to your local Planetarium: Mt.Hood CC, OMSI, Chemeketa CC, Sci Factory
(Eugene), N.Medford
High School
