WASHINGTON — I spent a wonderful Thursday with 22 science teachers from several Virginia school districts. They are taking a two-week astronomy course hosted by the (UVA) Astronomy Department with Dr. Edward Murphy and Dr. Jennifer Maeng as the primary instructors.
The , in conjunction with UVA, offered ASTR 6340, or “Astronomy Concepts in the Classroom,” to science teachers who applied and were accepted.
The course objective is to give teachers a broad overview of astronomy and a basic understanding of the universe that we live in, with an emphasis on topics covered in the Virginia Standards of Learning for grades 4 through 9.
The group was energetic, interactive and asked really good questions. I spoke about space rocks and the (CBIC), and brought real meteorites for them to see, as well as samples from inside the 53-mile wide crater that impacted what is now Cape Charles, VA 35 million years ago.
Next week, I will give presentations on the future of U.S. Manned spaceflight and the (JWST). We’ll also visit UVA’s Fan Mountain Observatory, which I am really looking forward to seeing.
Teachers and parents have such a critical role in children’s exposure to science and nature. In my blog, I’ve discussed . Being with these teachers and kids last week was such a joy.
People of all ages and backgrounds can understand the universe in which they live. Once they learn they can understand, they’re off and running to a personal voyage of discovery.
Read this and think about anyone you might be able to help along the way.
Create a ripple in a child’s life by providing learning and discovery opportunities, buying a relevant birthday or Christmas gift and adding words of encouragement.
Doing so can help a child launch a Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics (STEM)-related career.
Once the spark is ignited, the results are a joy to see.
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