====== Admin Stuffs ====== ==== Grant Proposal Preparation ==== This can be a good NSF/IUSE proposal emphasizing the Active Learning and Experiential Learning opportunities via LCTs. The project design should align well with the Activity Learning Theory, which asserts that the human mind is an integral part of environmental interactions and positions activity (whether sensory, mental, or physical) as a precursor to learning. === highlight these facts === * the proposed teaching and learning approach will be implemented in multiple undergraduate astronomy courses to empirically evaluate its effectiveness on students' learning processes and outcomes, as well as the perceptions of both students and educators regarding this innovation as a formal pedagogical method. * although 3-D astronomical models will be developed as the main focus of the project, the proposed learning method and the intellectual merit of this project can be transferred to other disciplines. * identify Student learning outcomes and develop/evaluate curricular materials to enhance SLOs * Curricular materials will also be developed using a backwards-design process that creates educational experiences to suit the targeted learning goals. * enhance equity in STEM education ([high] school students with a low socioeconomic status tend to avoid enrolling in physical science classes. * will develop curriculum modules with LCTs at multiple target audience levels from intro to advanced * this project aims to make astronomy education (and any careers dependent on it) accessible to a broader range of students * need/present a pilot study * This project advances research in learning by building and evaluating a system incorporating low-cost telescopes and detectors that enhances ... * ==== AAPT paper Preparation ==== This information was provided by Nandana on his email to me sent on 09/11/2024 Please check this link: https://www.aapt.org/Conferences/abstractguide.cfm if you go one step back, you could find it for TPT as well: https://www.aapt.org/publications/tptauthors.cfm Also, I have attached a couple of AAPT articles related to our work: Using a Radio Telescope for Developing Models in an Introductory Physics Course: https://pubs.aip.org/aapt/pte/article-abstract/59/1/38/1017169/Using-a-Radio-Telescope-for-Developing-Models-in Electronic telescopes and their use in astronomy education: https://pubs.aip.org/aapt/pte/article-abstract/60/5/394/2844455/Electronic-telescopes-and-their-use-in-astronomy?redirectedFrom=fulltext Why every astronomy class should devote time to light pollution education: https://pubs.aip.org/aapt/pte/article-abstract/61/5/404/2887615/Why-every-astronomy-class-should-devote-time-to?redirectedFrom=fulltext collection: https://www.aapt.org/Publications/AstroNotes.cfm Contribution of self-directed, naked-eye observations to students’ conceptual understanding and attitudes towards astronomy: https://journals.aps.org/prper/pdf/10.1103/PhysRevPhysEducRes.17.010134 ==== 1st Team Meeting (06/28/2024, 10 AM) ==== The 1st team meeting to discuss various stuffs. * Overall structure of the course * Course credit hours: 1, 2, or 3 hours. * When will we offer? * CAPA entry submission (Check with the new "Institutional Competencies and Comprehensive Learner Record" initiative by the University). * Curriculum development plan until the office offering * Assessment plan * Individual tasks: * Song: Identify astro projects (focused on "astrophotography"): Lunar Phase, planets, nebulae, star trails, comet (Comet C/2022 E3, "Nishimura"; best during 01/20/2025 - 02/01/2025) * Marni: Identify photography basics and tools (how many topics?) * Weliweriya: Create an assessment plan & handle CAPA entry. Any actual course activities to receive teaching credits? * Essential topics * [1] Orientation about telescope * [1] Orientation on how to set up devices (telescope, adapter, smartphone) * [2] Using camera apps (iOS and Android): two different groups. Details on how to set up parameters * [3] Limitations from the non-tracking telescope -> needs for set up multiple, short-exposure photos * [4] Image reductions: (0) de-noising [dark subtraction etc.], (1) alignment, (2) rotation, (3) cropping, (4) stacking, (5) false color photo * [1] Selection of observable celestial objects ==== Student Tech Fee proposal ==== A request was sent to the FOIT on 09/23 ~1PM. Currently, we are actively developing new astronomy lab courses where students use a low-cost telescope (e.g., Celestron FirstScope; $75 each) with a smartphone adapter (~$25 each) to try many astronomical observation projects (see https://stemin3d.net/projects/low-cost-telescope for more details). This current setup requires precise alignment between the smartphone’s camera and the telescope eyepiece’s small entrance pupil, which can be challenging and time-consuming for inexperienced users. Using an entry-level professional astronomical CMOS detector commonly known as "planetary camera" that fits directly into the eyepiece holder offers several advantages: Increased full-well depth, providing a much larger dynamic range. The ability to use a wider range of exposure times. The capability to take calibration images (bias, dark, and flat images). Significantly reduced observation setup time. The possibility of using a filter wheel. One example of such camera is ZWO ASI662MC (https://agenaastro.com/zwo-asi662mc-cmos-color-astronomy-imaging-camera.html, sold at ~$150/ea). These cameras can be used with the already purchased 40 FirstScope telescopes through the support from the Office of Active Learning, allowing students and course instructors to undertake previously impossible astronomical projects. This will greatly enhance active and experiential learning opportunities for our students.