Hands-On Universe: Bringing Astronomical Explorations to the Classroom

Abstract

For the past three years, with support from the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, Hands-On Universe (HOU) has developed and piloted an educational program that enables high school students to request their own observations from professional observatories. HOU students download CCD images to their classroom computers and use HOU's powerful image processing software to visualize and analyze their data. HOU also provides comprehensive curriculum that integrates many of the topics and skills outlined in the national goals for science and math education into open-ended astronomical investigations. Over the next several years HOU will develop activities and tools for middle school students and informal education centers as well as implementing HOU in regional high school networks across the nation.