HR: 17:00h
AN: ED14A-05    [Abstracts]
TI: Project SPECTRA! A New Program Focusing on Science, Math and Engineering in Middle Schools and High School
AU: * Becker, K
EM: kate.becker@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AU: CoBabe-Ammann, E
EM: ecobabe@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AU: Triplett, M
EM: triplett@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado 1234 Innovation Drive, Boulder, CO 80303 United States
AB: Project SPECTRA!, a new program that combines math and science in an engineering framework, emphasizes hands-on and data-based activities for middle and high school students. Using spectroscopy as its framework, Project SPECTRA! explores how light can give us information about the planets in our solar system. Project SPECTRA! drives students to explore space science and engineering by working with authentic data from the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) to experience first-hand how scientists use planetary and lunar spectra to learn about our solar system. Problem-solving and engineering add to the depth of the Project SPECTRA! materials. Current work focuses on UVIS data from Saturn, courtesy of the Cassini mission, with an emphasis on fingerprints and patterns in nature, light and spectroscopy, the technology involved in the UVIS instrument, and building a spectrograph. The program is slated for testing in Boulder Valley School District, the Denver School for Science and Technology and the Colorado MESA after school program, starting in 2006.
DE: 0800 EDUCATION
DE: 0805 Elementary and secondary education
DE: 5405 Atmospheres (0343, 1060)
SC: Education and Human Resources [ED]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005