USVI Public Records

Document text

bjbjîFîF The University of the Virgin Islands, VI Department of Education, UVI/NASA Educational Resource Center, The Jones, Holloway and Bryan Foundation, and The South Carolina Space Grant Outreach Program Science, Mathematics and Technology Professional Development Project present “A View of the Heavens” A minicourse for science and mathematics teachers Instructor: Dr. Nora Andreasian-Thomas; email - nthomas@uvi.edu Course description: A study of the properties and theories of the evolution of the earth, sun, solar system, galaxy and universe with emphasis on experimental techniques employed by astronomers. Six lecture hours per day (Saturday and Sunday) and three hours of observation (Saturday evening) with a 0.5 m Cassegrenian telescope at UVI’s Etelman Observatory, plus other laboratory activities and a final seminar presentation day to be arranged. This minicourse presents a broad view of descriptive astronomy, without complex mathematics. Topics include charting the heavens, studying the celestial coordinates, motion of heavenly bodies, tools of astronomers, our planetary system, stars and stellar evolution, galaxies and cosmology. On successful completion of the minicourse, teacher participants will receive a stipend of $150 and (2) continuing education units. Course Objectives: To understand, in a qualitative way, basic facts of the physical world. To know the night sky, motion of celestial objects on the sky and the tools astronomers use to study them. To know the solar system – sun, planets and moons. To understand the constitution of our galaxy - the Milky Way. To know what is beyond the borders of our galaxy. To understand the concept of the origin and evolution of celestial objects. To be aquainted with the current state of human knowledge about the universe. Assessment: An exam will be administered at the start of the minicourse to assess participant knowledge, followed by a second exam at the end of the minicourse to assess their progress. Course Schedule: Saturday April 16th, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at UVI (CA building CA-306), & 7-10 p.m. (UVI’s Etelman Observatory); and Sunday April 17th, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at UVI (CA Building CA-306). A final seminar presentation day will be arranged. Lunch and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday will be provided. St. Croix teachers will take the early morning Fast Ferry to St. Thomas on Saurday morning and be transported from the ferry dock to UVI, and transported back to the ferry dock on Sunday afternoon for the trip back to St. Croix. Since St. Croix teachers will be spending the night at the Etelman Observatory, it is necessary to bring sleeping bags. Applications and more information are available on line at www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/SMT . For questions, please contact Dr. Bob Giacosie, Program Director at 693-1249 or at his email, rgiacos@uvi.edu hÒTg urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags time urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags City urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags place urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags PlaceName urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags PlaceType urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags State Hour Minute The University of the Virgin Islands, VI Department of Education, faculty Normal faculty Univ. of the Virgin Islands The University of the Virgin Islands, VI Department of Education, Title _PID_HLINKS