Lessons Learned from Data-Rich Science Education Projects

Stephen Pompea and Doug IsbellPublic Affairs and Educational Outreach

National Optical Astronomy ObservatoryTucson, Arizona

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Educational Projects are hard, and require specialized expertise

Right approach Right resources Right project team Right tradeoffs Right testing Right

dissemination Right professional

development

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects: 1. Backwards Design

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects:2. Pedagogy

Inquiry or guided inquiry

Responsive to National Science Education Standards

Problem-based learning

Multidisciplinary or complex (opposite of drill/rote) Deeper!

Built in, authentic assessment

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects:3. Learner Control

The learner controls investigations, exploration of deep content, the research process, data and image processing, and presentations.

Example: Astronomy Village

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects:4. Powerful Tools

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects:5. Professional Development

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects:6. Diverse Project Teams

Scientists Technologists Teachers More Teachers Professional

Developers Media experts Testers “Hybrids”

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Attributes of Best Projects: 7. Time Domain and Urgency

Compelling Need to do

something now Need to use tools

now Need to get resultsExample: NASA Classroom of

the Future’s remote sensing projectExploring the Environment

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Example: The Journey North

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Example: LSST and Time Domain Data

Discovery projects Role fulfilled by Large

Synoptic Survey Telescope

Q. What is the value of data to scientists, educators, students, and public? Is it equal?

Q. Should (can) discoveries be reserved?

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Should we focus on integrating with existing projects?

“Diffusion Time, Less Risk” Less Cost?Remember NSF-good at starting new

prototypes, but …

CLEA (NSF) Hands-On Universe (NSF) Hands-On Astrophysics

(NSF) Astronomy Village:

Investigating the Universe (NASA)

Astronomy Village: Investigating the Solar System (NSF)

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Should we focus on data tools?

NIH Image example Robust Powerful Easy to Use Progressive Extendable Intuitive For formal and

informal

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Can sonification be developed as an effective educational tool?

Charles Dodge and the Earth’s Magnetic Field (1971)

Marty Quinn (2002)Climate SymphonyMars Gamma Ray Spectrometer Data Set

Test program this fall: NOAO and University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Lab

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Can NVO appeal to non-astronomy teachers?

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Can NVO education efforts build on the earth science education efforts?

Snowmass “Revolutionary Manifesto”

Digital Library for Earth System Education

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

What about planetary data?

NVO Education MeetingBaltimore July 12, 2002

Conclusion: How can an EPO effort co-evolve with the NVO effort?

Both are evolving in a changing (or stable) environment

Punctuated equilibrium How do we keep the

advisory group going? How much money/time

is needed to create a plan and to implement it?