http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Sat, 18 May 2013 04:14:58 PDT Sat, 18 May 2013 04:14:58 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=329170 An annotated list of some of the best hands-on activities for teaching astronomy that are available without charge on the web. Originally put together for Timothy Ferris PBS special "Seeing in the Dark״, this listing remains available on the PBS web site and can be a good starting point for a K-12 teacher (or even a community college instructor) wishing to get started with some fun activities for helping students understand the sky and the objects in it. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=87047 This site houses a collection of astronomy activities. This particular activity teaches star life cycles via an interactive HR diagram. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=231537 This annotated listing includes over 90 books, articles, and websites that deal with the astronomy of diverse cultures around the world.   The readings cover the astronomicalwork and ideas of South and Central America, Hawaii and Polynesia, Africa, India, and Islamic countries. Also included are the astronomical ideas of the Native Americans of North America, issues relating to people of color in the U.S., plus a small set of readings about Asian and ancient European cultures.  Most of the resources cited are non-technical and can be used in introductory courses and public programs.  A small number of technical volumes are included at the end for specialists.  This resource list is one of a series of educational guides for instructors and communicators of astronomy that have been released by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific over the years, as part of its goal of serving as a clearinghouse for those involved in astronomy education and outreach. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84028 Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=87027 NASA information http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84156 Images from the National Optical Astonomy Observatory. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=86755 The Nine Planets is an overview of the history, mythology, and current scientific knowledge of each of the planets and moons in our solar system. Each page has text and images, some have sounds and movies, most provide references to additional related information. Meets the California Content Standards grade 8; 4. c & e and grade 9-12; 1. d & e http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=231536 This annotated guide lists over 200 skeptical resources about astrology, UFO's, moon hoaxes, faces on the planets, crop circles, and other examples of "fiction science".  It lists and reviews articles, books, and web sites that provide ammunition for teachers, scientists, youth leaders, television news producers, newspaper editors, and anyonewho gets questions about "unsolved mysteries" relating to astronomy.  Among such topics is whether the full moon causes crazy behavior, whether the entire universe could be less than 10,000 years old, and whether an alien spaceship landed at Roswell, New Mexico.    The guide is part of the educational web site of the the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, founded in 1889, which serves as a clearinghouse for reliable educational resources and materials. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=585123 Astronomy from the Ground Up (AFGU) is a program from the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP), developed to provide informal science educators at science centers, nature centers, museums, and other informal education venues with new and innovative ways to communicate astronomy content to their visitors. The ASP provides professional development workshops, education materials, and an active community website to enhance these efforts. Professional Development Workshops Educators can join the AFGU community by participating in one of our many workshops, which take place both as online distance learning workshops, and as in-person workshops at museums, parks, and professional conferences. Astronomy Education Materials AFGU participants receive toolkits of materials and have access to a rich library of hands-on activities and other resources through the AFGU website. AFGU is a growing community of more than 600 educators and interpreters from museums, science centers, nature centers, and parks around the U.S. who are actively enhancing and expanding their capacity to address astronomy topics for their visitors. The AFGU website provides a forum for participants to exchange ideas and resources and to experience continued learning opportunities from the ASP and other experts in astronomy, space science, and science education. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=339050 A grade school friendly site that allows younger students to enjoy looking at the stars. It includes an interactive simulation that allows students to determine the cardinal points. It also has basic directions that can be used by the students that enhances the student's ability to use a telescope