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Information for Educators
- Cosmic Times Posters Now Available -
Our Cosmic Times posters are now available for distribution. This set
of six posters tell the story of how our understanding of the universe
has changed over the past 100 years. Each poster mimics the front
page of a newspaper from a key era in this history. Articles describe
the discoveries and ideas that have lead us to our current state of
knowledge. The Cosmic Times
web site has accompanying lesson plans and a teacher guide which provides
background to all the articles. For your students, there are also two
newsletter versions of each poster, each at a different reading level
and downloadable from the web site.
Displaying the posters will spark interest in science and science
history, while the lessons will re-inforce science concepts and
explore the historical and social context of this history.
To order your set of Cosmic Times posters, go to our order form.
- WMAP Inflatable Universe Teaching Ball -
This 12-inch inflatable beach ball portrays the oldest light in the
universe. This light was emitted by hydrogen gas 380,000 years after
the Big Bang, long before stars and galaxies formed. The patterns in
this light trace minute variations in the early gas density (a part in
100,000) and provide valuable information about the age, shape, and
composition of our universe. The full sky map depicted on this beach
ball was produce from data collected byt eh Wilkinson Microwave
Anistotropy Probe (WMAP) between 2000 and 2006. For more information
see the WMAP Inflatable
Universe Teaching Ball page.
To order yours, to go our order
form. Because of their bulk, please limit your request to 1 per customer.
- Imagine the Universe! DVD-ROM (13th Edition) -
The 13th edition of our collection of web sites is now available.
As with previous editions, it contains a capture of the Imagine the
Universe! and StarChild sites (from Jan 1, 2009). It also includes
Astronomy Picture of the Day for all of 2008, with selected
pages from previous years APODs. We've also included the Cosmic Times
web site, complete with all the lessons, posters, and teacher guide
material from our newest curriculum support material. This is a
single DVD-ROM, which will work in any computer with a DVD drive.
To order your copy, go to our order form.
- Return of "Got Calcium?" Lithograph -
After a long hiatus, "Got Calcium?" is back! We have just received
our shipment of our revised "Got Calcium?" lithograph. A perfect
illustration on the production of the chemical elements in stars and
supernovae, this revised lithograph features a new image of the
Cassiopeia A supernova remnant. It also includes the first-ever
bovine-astronomy classroom activity. Your 4-H students will love it,
and city-slickers will get a new appreciation of dairy production!
Check out the on-line Got Calcium? page, and order your
hardcopy via our order form.
- Space Forensics: Death of a Star -
We've developed a new workshop on how scientists collect and analyze
the evidence from a cosmic crime scene and solve the mysteries of a
supernova. This presentation includes background, activities, and a
narrative exploration of scientific problem solving. This
presentation is available in our Teachers' Corner.
- Updated version of "What is Your Cosmic Connection to the Elements?" Poster and
Information Booklet -
We have updated our poster and information/activity booklet on the
cosmic origins of the chemical elements. We've included new
information on the role of small stars in the production of heavy
elements. Astronomy topics still include the big
bang, life cycles of stars, supernovae, cosmic rays, and the chemical
compoisition of the universe. Physics topics include fusion and
physical principles important in stellar evolution. Chemistry
teachers will find information connecting the elements with their
cosmic origins. The booklet is complete with 8 classroom activities
which use a variety of techniques to re-inforce the material.
Check out the Cosmic Elements
page for online versions of the poster and booklet, the power point
presentation of our workshop, and a link to our
order form.
Where You Can See Us in the Near Future
We travel to many national and local regional teachers
conferences. Here's where we are currently scheduled to be in fall 2009:
- National Science Teachers Association Area Conference,
Oct 29 - 31, 2009 in Minneapolis.
On Friday, Oct 30 at 2:00 PM in Room L100G of the Minneapolis
Convention Center, our Educator Ambassador Marie Pool will be giving
our "What is Your Cosmic Connection to the Elements?"
workshop. Immediately following, at 3:30 in room 200H, she'll be
giving our workshop "Analyzing Black Holes and Supernovas Through
International X-ray Eyes".
- National Science Teachers Association Area Conference,
Nov 12 - 14, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale.
On Friday, Nov 13 at 11 AM in the Atlantic Ballroom of the Hilton Fort
Lauderdale Marina, we'll be presenting a 1-hour introductory workshop on
Cosmic Times, "Cosmic Times: Astronomy History and Science for the Classroom".
- National Science Teachers Association Area Conference,
Dec 3 - 5, 2009 in Phoenix.
On Thursday, Dec 3 at 8:00 AM in Room 222C of the Phoenix Convention
Center, our HEASARC Educator Ambassador, Cheryl Niemela, will be
presenting our "What is Your Cosmic Connection to the Elements?"
workshop. Later that same day, at 3:30 PM in Room 223 of the
Phoenix Convention Center, she will be presenting our 1-hour
introductory workshop on Cosmic Times, "Cosmic Times: Astronomy
History and Science for the Classroom".
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