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- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/zz%3A_Back_Matter/10%3A_Index
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/06%3A_Exploring_Gravity/6.03%3A_Galileos_Falling_BodiesAristotle’s scientific model stated that things fell to Earth because the ‘wanted to reach their natural place’, and that the heavier an object was, the faster it would fall. Aristotle’s fame was such...Aristotle’s scientific model stated that things fell to Earth because the ‘wanted to reach their natural place’, and that the heavier an object was, the faster it would fall. Aristotle’s fame was such that no one seriously challenged his assertions for over 2,000 years. Galileo’s experiment shows us the utility of gathering accurate observational data and comparing it to the predictions of scientific models. This is the very mechanism through which science corrects its own errors.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/03%3A_Modeling_Earth_and_Moon_Together/3.02%3A_Exploring_the_Moons_OrbitThe Moon’s orbit is wonderfully complex, and yet the youngest child in your classroom can understand the essentials of how the Moon moves through space. One of the essential skills of successful STEM ...The Moon’s orbit is wonderfully complex, and yet the youngest child in your classroom can understand the essentials of how the Moon moves through space. One of the essential skills of successful STEM teaching is to be able to break down complex things into small components that are simple to understand. Once your students complete these simple activities, they will be building the pieces of a conceptual model of the Moon and its orbital motion around the Earth.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/06%3A_Exploring_GravityIn this unit, the activities we attempt will be arranged historically; that is, we will try some of Galileo’s ideas first, then explore Newton, and finally Einstein. What? You didn’t think you could t...In this unit, the activities we attempt will be arranged historically; that is, we will try some of Galileo’s ideas first, then explore Newton, and finally Einstein. What? You didn’t think you could teach 21st century science to elementary school children!? Yes, you can! Let’s get started!
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/02%3A_Lunar_Phases__A_Simple_Scientific_Model/2.01%3A_Making_a_Moon_Phase_MapOur next student activity will be constructing a model of the lunar phases, but before we do this, let’s review the scientific facts you need to know in order to run this successful STEM activity in y...Our next student activity will be constructing a model of the lunar phases, but before we do this, let’s review the scientific facts you need to know in order to run this successful STEM activity in your classroom. As I mentioned in the introduction, you don’t need a vast knowledge of facts at your disposal to teach astronomy successfully as a STEM activity in any elementary classroom. You probably already know most of these things, but it is helpful to review them before we begin.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/09%3A_Orbital_Dynamics-_Planets_and_Moons_in_Motion/9.02%3A_Aristotles_Flat_MoonThe most common misconception among adults about the lunar phases is that they believe that the Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon somehow causes or creates the lunar phases! Maybe that Aristotle fell...The most common misconception among adults about the lunar phases is that they believe that the Earth’s shadow falling on the Moon somehow causes or creates the lunar phases! Maybe that Aristotle fellow wasn’t as silly as he appears at first glance! In any case, let’s test Aristotle’s theory as Galileo did and see what happens.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/02%3A_Lunar_Phases__A_Simple_Scientific_ModelFor young children, the Moon is an excellent place to begin. Even very young children are attracted to the Moon because it is the largest, brightest object in the night sky and immediately draws every...For young children, the Moon is an excellent place to begin. Even very young children are attracted to the Moon because it is the largest, brightest object in the night sky and immediately draws everyone’s attention; not only because it is bright and beautiful, but also because it changes shape. These changes in shape are called Lunar Phases, and you can see them listed in the illustration below.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/04%3A_Measuring_Time_in_the_SkyAs scientists and astronomers, one of our first tasks is to be able to say when and where something interesting happened. The ability to locate things in time and space, both in an absolute sense, and...As scientists and astronomers, one of our first tasks is to be able to say when and where something interesting happened. The ability to locate things in time and space, both in an absolute sense, and in relation to one another, is a fundamental skill. In this unit, we will explore measuring the Earth-Moon system with time, and then move on to show how science can accommodate different ideas and explanations for the same observations! Only experiments can tell us which model is correct!
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/13%3A_Solar_and_Lunar_EclipsesBut why do eclipses happen? Some students may know that the eclipses have something to do with the shadows of the Earth and Moon, but if that is true, why don’t they happen every month? In this unit, ...But why do eclipses happen? Some students may know that the eclipses have something to do with the shadows of the Earth and Moon, but if that is true, why don’t they happen every month? In this unit, we will not only investigate the phenomena of lunar and solar eclipses, we will see once again that we can take an existing model of the solar system, and add new features to it that will not only increase its richness, but also improve its usefulness and allow us to make even more testable predicti
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/06%3A_Exploring_Gravity/6.02%3A_Hookes_PendulumWhen Newton published his theory of gravity in the book Principia Mathematica, he struggled and failed to develop a simple and convincing demonstration for the mathematical concept that only a center-...When Newton published his theory of gravity in the book Principia Mathematica, he struggled and failed to develop a simple and convincing demonstration for the mathematical concept that only a center-seeking force (gravity) and the straight line motion of a mass (momentum) are needed to create an orbit. Robert Hooke’s simple pendulum experiment achieved this and was considered a great triumph.
- https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Astronomy__Cosmology/Astronomy_for_Educators_(Barth)/12%3A_Safely_Observing_the_Sun/12.02%3A_The_Binocular_ProjectorThe binocular projector is easier to use, there is no construction needed and it becomes very easy to draw or photograph the image which we have seen. The increased brightness makes it more difficult ...The binocular projector is easier to use, there is no construction needed and it becomes very easy to draw or photograph the image which we have seen. The increased brightness makes it more difficult to make out subtle features like sunspots on the solar disk, the glare of the intense image tends to obscure them. For eclipse viewing however, this is an excellent method requiring almost no setup time.
