[Chaos-l] Astronomy for kinesthetic learners?

[Chris Schelin]

It would be neat to do something that highlights cutting-edge astronomy like
the hunt for exoplanets.  I think I remember that it was on a "Through the
Wormhole" episode that Geoff Marcy demonstrated the "wobble" detection
method by attaching a ball to a string, holding his hand up near his head,
and then spinning the ball around his body.  You could see his head wobble,
and notice the wobble increase when he used a more massive ball.

I don't know if this would be seen as too involved, but there are also
instructions for making a paper model of Kepler.  The same page mentions a
neat idea of having students create their own habitable planet with detailed
info on climate, life, etc.  That could be a good way of connecting
astronomy with the earth and life sciences instruction in middle school:

http://kepler.nasa.gov/education/ModelsandSimulations/papermodel/

If a computer lab is handy, you can also get them involved in the genuine
"citizen science" projects at zooniverse.org, such as Galaxy Zoo, Ice
Hunters and Planet Hunters:

http://www.zooniverse.org/

There are also some good activities on this page.  I particularly like the
astrolabe and meteorite activities:

http://cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/AtHomeAstronomy/

Hope this helps.


-- 
Chris Schelin
Minister of Youth and Congregational Life
Roxboro Baptist Church
Roxboro, NC

(sent from my abacus)

"With a wise silence we do honor to the inexpressible." - Pseudo-Dionysius
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