Mobile Astronomy Instruction and Lessons in a Box
Mobile Astronomy Instruction and Lesson Boxes: Inquiry-based and/or kinesthetic learning opportunities from the OSU Department of Astronomy. These fully contained lessons in a box will be delivered upon request (and availability) complete with a content expert from OSU to deliver the lesson and to be available for other topic-related questions. Alternately, lessons can be presented to your group on the OSU campus as part of a field trip combined with a visit to the OSU Planetarium or reproduced with the content and materials provided with each lesson description. See below for a complete list of currently available lessons.
Inquiry-based and/or kinesthetic learning opportunities exploring Astronomy Concepts.
Public schools or even home school groups often lack not only subject-specific instructional materials for teaching astronomy/physics lessons, but also the content knowledge of such subjects that is necessary to successfully (and comfortably) teach them.
Our program will provide not only the materials and write-ups for completing such lessons, but also a scientist! (i.e., content expert) to present the lesson (in most cases).
- Literally a Lesson (and Background/content) in a Box
- Lesson write-up aligning learning concepts to Ohio State Standards
- Scientific Content Knowledge/Background explaining lesson concepts in easily digestible language (hopefully)
- Materials List for recreating lesson
- Supplementary Materials
- Background or Additional Resources to learn more about topic
- Worksheets, math supplements
- Literary connections
- Particular attention paid in lesson design to inquiry-based and kinesthetic learning methods
Available Lessons
Starlight Steering Scarabs
- Interdisciplinary, kinesthetic learning combining astronomy/physics with biology and ecology.
Cosmic Cratering
- Kinesthetic learning and physical activity combining astronomy and physics. Both measurement and inquiry are re-enforced.
Telescope Lending Library
- Check out telescopes for your group: up to two 6-inch telescopes and binoculars and star wheels/planispheres. These telescopes are for educational groups only and will be lent out at our discretion.
Lessons in Development
- Conceptual understanding of sizes, distances, and masses in the Solar System.
- Emphasis on scientific method concepts of forming a hypothesis and re-evaluating that hypothesis based on data and evidence.
Racing Rockets
Properties of Light and Optics
Hubble Expansion
