Building a Global Education and Science System Basec on Modest-Aperture Telescopes: The Hands-On Universe System

Abstract

Hands-On Universe (HOU) has taken important steps to enable research and inquiry-based astronomical explorations by typical teachers and students in classrooms using astronomical images from modest aperture telescopes. To facilitate this level of success in the classroom curricula, student and teacher friendly software, teacher training workshops, a growing telescope network, and web pages for communication and data management have been built, with National Science Foundation funding. Our evaluations indicate that after an HOD teacher workshop, teachers are comfortable teaching HOD to their students. One of HOD’s highest goals is to integrate astronomy research and technology with the day-to-day activities of the classroom. Pilot research efforts within the HOD program have proven that students can make original contributions to astronomy research.