Newsletters

Public Calendar

Star Parties

Teacher's Corner

Astronomy Complex

Join TAAA

 

Teacher's Corner

Educational Resources for Teachers

The TAAA is a participating partner with the Night Sky Network, to bring news of specific NASA projects to help spread the excitement of space and Earth science, as well as the technology that advances the science.

School Star Party Scheduling Coordinator
Paul Moss
520 240-2084
school-star-party [at] tucsonastronomy.org
Star Party Request Form and Instructions [DOC]

Night Sky Network Outreach Toolkits

Through our partnership with the Night Sky Network's outreach program, TAAA offers a selection of educational toolkits. Toolkits include astronomy projects and activities on a number of topics. The School Star Party Coordinator can provide information about available topics.

NEW Supernova Toolkit Now Available!

This Supernova Toolkit will help you explain "extreme astronomy" to the public with fun, interactive demonstrations, games, and presentations. What is "extreme astronomy"? Maybe you should try the toolkit yourself. The kit reviewers said:

"This kit is an excellent tool to introduce the great drama - the life and death of stars - that is being played out in our universe."

"All ages will enjoy understanding how our atmosphere and magnetic field protects us from cosmic rays, gamma rays, and x-rays. But they'll be amazed when they learn what our universe would be like without supernovae!"

Complete List of Night Sky Network Toolkits

  • Planet Quest: Explains planet detection techniques

  • Our Galaxy, Our Universe: Scale model of the Milky Way galaxy and the Universe

  • Black Hole Survival Kit: What is a black hole and how does it affect objects nearby

  • Telescopes – Eyes on the Universe: Explains basic principles of optics, the human eye, and observing

  • Shadows and Silhouettes: Covers lunar phases, eclipses, and transits

  • Exploring the Solar System: Scale model of solar system and NASA exploration of planets

  • GLOBE at Night: Light pollution principles

  • Supernova! Life cycle of massive stars, touches on life cycle of sun-like stars

  • Solar Scope: Provides a white light image of the sun suitable for small group viewing.

All toolkits include Resources CD and a training DVD. The CDs contain PowerPoint presentations, along with scripts and background information. All projects are described on the DVDs. All projects are easy to do. You can pick and choose which part you want to demonstrate.

Additional School Projects and Resources

Night Sky Network

Nationwide coalition of amateur astronomy clubs bringing the science, technology and inspiration of NASA's missions to the general public.

NASA Space Place

Source for hands-on activity guides, games and projects. These are simple, NASA-mission-related, structured activities for group settings or for kids and parents to do independently.

StarChild Learning Center for Young Astronomers
See "In the Classroom" link for resources and projects.

NASA Imagine the Universe

Site provides lesson plans and resources for students age 14 and up, and for anyone interested in learning about our universe. Includes lesson plans related to algebra II, high school physics and chemistry, as well as middle school mathematics in "The Teacher's Corner." Also see, Teacher Resources

National Outstanding Young Astronomer Award

Would you like to recognize the outstanding achievements of a high school student in the United States? The Astronomical League offers annual awards to exceptional young astronomers.

 

Star Parties for Schools and Youth Groups

School and Youth Star Parties

The TAAA supports these astronomy events at no cost for school and youth group programs.

How to...

Plan your Star Party Event

Request a Star Party

Are you a Project Astro School?
This program partners astronomers and teachers for learning.

Benefits include free instructional materials for teachers, in addition to one-on-one support from a trained astronomer.

Download Project Astro Brochure

Visit the Astro Tucson website for additional information and resources.

Project Astro is an educational outreach program of the National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO).

  To the Top

 

 © Copyright 2008, Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association. All Rights Reserved.

Credits and Disclaimers
All photographic material on this site was generated by club members and is used with permission of the copyright holder. All attempts are made to avoid improper use of copyrighted or proprietary material. Likewise we try to avoid inaccuracies or material offensive in nature. If you feel we have infringed, published inaccuracies, or material offensive in nature, please email our webmaster at
webmaster [at] tucsonastronomy.org to advise us so that we may promptly address the issue.