Color of Stars Properties of Dust Super Gelatin Telescope Allocation Committee Delta, Delta, Delta Hot Air Spectroscope Mirror, Mirror

Subject: Physical Science
Grade Level: 9-12

Materials You Will Need

• Computers, Internet connection, web browser (Internet Explorer, Safari).


• Astro-Madness student handouts.


• Optional software: spreadsheet, word processing, presentation.


• Optional hardware: video projector.

Guides and Worksheets
Download, print and photocopy these lesson documents for your class.

Teacher lesson plan 32K
Key for student tables 80K
Student tables 508K
Introduction to the activity 48K
Activity problem situations 100K

Overview
In this activity, students learn about the different telescopes and instruments that are available at McDonald Observatory using the "What Are Astronomers Doing" web site. They use this information to assist a group of scientists in deciding which of McDonald Observatory's resources will best suit their projects. As students learn about the instruments, they are also learning about the uses of electromagnetic waves in technological applications (telescopes and instruments). They are also thinking critically about what specific combinations of tools an astronomer requires to resolve each "problem situation".

What Students Do
Students explore the telescopes and instruments available to astronomers at McDonald Observatory using the "What Are Astronomers Doing" web site. As they explore, students build two data tables about the telescopes and instruments. After reviewing a set of brief research "problem situations", students consult their data tables then fill out their telescope and instrument recommendations for each proposed project on a table.

*TEKS are Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. For more information, visit http://www.tea.state.tx.us/teks/.