IA Application form for Prospective Field Test Teachers
Personal Information
First Name
Middle Initial
Last Name
School Name
School Mailing Address-street, city, state, zip code
School (work) phone number - -
Home mailing address-street, apartment or unit number, city, state, zip code
Home phone number - -
Please select your preferred mailing address:
Home School
Email address
How often do you check your email?
Teaching History
Total years of science teaching experience?
Please answer each of the questions in the chart below: (NOTE: We don�t want you to be put off by these questions. We are NOT looking only for the most experienced or accomplished teachers. We want to get a representative mix of teaching experience and styles among teachers who are familiar with inquiry methods.)
How often do you use these strategies?
How comfortable are you using these strategies?
Using hands-on activities
3-5 times a week 1-2 times a week A few times a month Once a month Not at all
Very comfortable Somewhat A little Not at all
Having students collaborate in groups
Having students analyze/interpret data
Having students conduct research or investigations to answer questions
Structuring time for students to describe, write about, or discuss their scientific thinking
Accommodating, in some way, learning strategies for English Language Learners
Always/very often Sometimes Rarely Never Not applicable to my situation
How often have you:
Attended trainings, workshops, conferences, seminars, etc in the last five years?
6+ 4-6 1-3 0
Provided trainings, workshops, conferences, seminars, etc. in the last five years?
Read articles in professional or research publications in the last five years?
Your Investigating Astronomy Course
What is the course/what are the courses in which you plan to use Investigating Astronomy? (Please check all that apply.)
Astronomy Earth Science Physics Other
Explain
What is the duration of this course?
Full year Semester-long Other
What is the nature of this course?
Required course Elective Other
How many students do you expect to have in each section of this course?
How many years have you taught the course in which you plan to use Investigating Astronomy?
Please list the curricular and supporting materials you generally use for this class.
School Context
Is your high school:
private public charter other
Is your school:
urban suburban rural
How many students in your school?
What percentage of your student population is:
% White % African American % Asian or Pacific Islander % Hispanic % Native American
What percent of your students are of Latino origin?
What percent of your Latino students:
Much great than 50% About 50% Much less than 50% NA
Please include any other information about your students� culture or language that you think is important.
Which Investigating Astronomy Materials You would like to Field Test?
Please choose the module or modules you would be interested in piloting and the dates during which you think you will implement the materials in your classroom.
NOTE:
Investigating Motions of the Sky
This module addresses aspects of naked-eye astronomy. Students investigate the apparent motions of the sun, stars, and planets as viewed at different times of year and from various locations on Earth, including where they live. They also investigate how comets, meteors, and supernovae appear to the naked eye.
Many activities in this module require the use of Starry Night software in small groups, and several suggest the use of the Internet.
Dates you plan to teach the module:
Investigating the Tools of Astronomy
This module addresses the tools that astronomers use to analyze the various types of electromagnetic radiation emitted by astronomical objects in order to understand their properties and processes. The nature of electromagnetic waves is explored as well as image processing, measuring brightness and color, and spectral line analysis.
Several activities in this module require students to work in small groups on the Internet.
Investigating the Sun-Earth-Moon System
This module addresses how the relative movements (rotation and revolution) and positions of Earth, the sun, and the moon account for moon phases and lunar and solar eclipses.
Several activities in this module use Starry Night software and one activity requires Internet access.
Only available starting October 17
Investigating Planets
This module addresses the nature and exploration of the planets and some of the moons in our solar system and beyond. Students investigate the scale of the solar system, key characteristics of the planets and moons, our planetary explorations including the search for possible life, and extrasolar planets—planets orbiting stars other than our sun.
Several activities in this module require use of the Internet, and one suggests the use of Starry Nigh software.
Investigating Stars
This module addresses the characteristics and life cycles of stars. Students investigate the differences between stars, planets, and moons, the process of nuclear fusion, and the classification of stars. The evolution of stars is explored and the nature of supernovae and the cosmic implications of the both the explosion and the remnants of a star’s destruction are considered.
Several activities in this module require use of the Internet, and one requires Starry Nigh software.
Investigating the Universe
This module prepares students to measure the size and the age of the universe. They will use various distance measurement techniques including parallax, standard candles such as Cepheid variable stars and type Ia supernovae, and measuring the redshift of spectral lines.
Additional Comments
