Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Laws of Light
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It demonstrates model lessons that introduce how light energy interacts with matter and how it has predictable properties that we refer to as reflection and refraction. We then explore what happens to light when it strikes a smooth surface, a rough surface, or a transparent surface. In particular, we examine several big ideas about light through viewing demonstrations with light and mirrors, visiting an artist and an astronomer who use mirrors in their work, watching fifth grade students investigate refraction, and listening to experts talk about light.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Pigments, Paint, and Printing
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It demonstrates model lessons that introduce students to the rich visual world we experience due to the diversity of the colors that surround us. In this segment, students create rainbows and learn how and why these magnificent phenomena occur in the sky. After looking at the Sun's electromagnetic spectrum we examine the reflection and refraction of photons of light and investigate the primary colors of light and pigments. We then explore color televisions and look closely at the pixels which form images.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Color, Cones, and Corneas
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an investigation into human vision. Students featured in this workshop learn that humans are able to see objects when light energy enters the eye. After holding interviews with the students, we then use models to study the function of the major parts of the human eye and we explore refraction by following the path of light through various lenses. We also visit an optometrist for a vision check-up, a discussion on the perception of color, and to actually see inside a human eye.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Sunlight to Starch
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an exploration into how plants get their food. Starting with seeds, which have their own source of food, the program traces the growth of a plant, the development of chlorophyll in its leaves, and the production of sugar and starch in a process known as photosynthesis.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Energy and Ecosystems
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an exploration into how light energy that has been absorbed by plants during photosynthesis and transformed into chemical energy can now be transferred to other organisms. Energy is contained within food molecules made by plants such as sugar and starch, therefore when animals eat plants, or when they eat other animals, the energy is passed to them. Participants in this program explore the source of this energy in our ecosystems, which is generally visible light.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Sun and Seasons
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that introduce students to how the tilt of the Earth's axis causes the cycle of the seasons. Participants discuss how different parts of the Earth receive different amounts of light energy and, in particular, we look at the tilt of the Earth's axis and how the hours of daylight change throughout the year. We also touch on the long-term history of climactic changes on Earth.
Science in Focus: Shedding Light on Science (K-5) - Wind and Weather
This workshop for elementary science teachers was produced by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in partnership with the Association for the Education of Teachers in Science. It provides model lessons that facilitate an exploration of the climactic conditions of each season. In particular, participants in this workshop examine the effect of light on our weather. We follow the path of light as it enters our atmosphere and is absorbed, reflected, and radiated as heat by the land and by the water. We then visit a fifth grade classroom as they explore these phenomena and examine a weather map to discover the significance of high and low pressure.
Reactions in Chemistry: Atoms and Molecules
This program deals with teaching the very first steps of chemistry. It introduces the basic building blocks - the atoms - which, through their properties, periodicity and binding, form molecules. The program offers different ways to represent these basic concepts by creating useful models in the minds of new chemistry students. It follows the development of these concepts through history and their use in modern technology.
Reactions in Chemistry: Macro to Micro Structures
This program deals with the conceptualization of micro processes and environments. It involves teaching chemistry through macro phenomena, which can be observed, and micro processes, which occur on the molecular level and can only be imagined. Conceptual change must occur in order for students to understand chemical phenomena. Teaching for conceptual change poses a great challenge to teachers, because they must create imaginary and physical models in order to help students visualize microenvironments and processes that occur within them.
Reactions in Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics
This program emphasizes the importance of learning about energetics and dynamics in order to improve students’ understanding of basic principles of chemistry. The complexity of teaching concepts such as the collisions theory, reaction kinetics, and electronic energy levels is introduced using a variety of teaching strategies. These concepts are related to everyday phenomena through topics such as nuclear and solar energy, which are brought about as examples for nuclear chemistry.