NASA: Dealing with Student Teacher Space Science Alternative Conceptions

Learn the assumptions and alternative conceptions that preservice teacher educators must address; includes activities to identify and address misconceptions about the Solar System and Universe.

Mary Dussault
Contact:
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Science Education Department, MS-71
60 Garden Street, Cambridge MA 02138
Phone: 617-496-7962
Fax: 617-496-5405
E-mail: [email protected]

Erika Reinfeld
Contact:
Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Science Education Department, MS-71
60 Garden Street, Cambridge MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-5433
Fax: 617-496-5405
E:mail: [email protected]

Laurie Ruberg
Senior Instructional Designer/Outreach Specialist
Mid-Atlantic Region Space Science Broker (MARSSB)
Center for Educational Technologies
Wheeling Jesuit University
316 Washington Avenue
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
Phone:(304) 243-2480
E-mail: [email protected]

Stephanie Shipp
Manager, Education and Public Outreach
South Central Organization of Researchers and Educators (SCORE)
Lunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77058
Phone: (281) 486-2109
E-mail: [email protected]

Christine Shupla
Education Specialist
Lunar and Planetary Institute
3600 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 486-2135
E-mail: [email protected]

Denise Smith
Origins Education Forum Lead (ASO)
Office of Public Outreach
Space Telescope Science Institute
3700 San Martin Drive
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: (410) 338-4434
E-mail: [email protected]

Session Abstract:
One of the needs expressed by many science teacher educators is more resources for dealing with student teacher misconceptions, particularly with respect to earth and space science.

Presenters will include information about space science and identify common mistaken assumptions and alternative conceptions that student teachers bring with them. Activities will include developing methods of identifying these alternative conceptions and working together in teams to develop strategies to address them. Strategies will also include methods that student teachers will eventually be able to use in their own classrooms.

Subjects of focus will include the Moon (particularly phases and eclipses), seasons, surface conditions on Mars and the other planets, size and distance of objects in our Solar System, size and distance of stars and galaxies, and the timeline of formation of our Universe and formation of our Solar System.

Presenters will include the research and data gathered by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and the needs and interests identified by NASA Science Mission Directorate's PreService Educators Working Group.