-
Visualizing Moon Phases with WorldWide Telescope
- Back
Metadata
Title
Visualizing Moon Phases with WorldWide Telescope
Abstract
We report preliminary results from an NSF-funded project to build, test, and research the impact of a WorldWide Telescope Visualization Lab (WWT Vizlab), meant to offer learners a deeper physical understanding of the causes of the Moon’s phases. The Moon Phases VizLab is designed to promote accurate visualization of the complex, three dimensional Earth–Sun–Moon relationships required to understand the Moon’s phases, while also providing opportunities for middle school students to practice critical science skills, like using models, making predictions and observations, and linking them in evidence-based explanations. In the VizLab, students use both computer-based models and lamp + ball physical models.
We present findings from the first two phases of the study—one in which we compared learning gains from the WWT VizLab with a traditional two dimensional Moon phases simulator, and another in which we experimented with different ways of blending physical and virtual models in the classroom.
Date
01/01/2014
Type of Publication
Author(s)
Udomprasert, Patricia | Goodman, Alyssa A. | Sunbury, Susan | Zhang, Zhihui Helen | Sadler, Philip M. | Dussault, Mary | Block, Sarah | Lotridge, Erin | Jackson, Jonathan | Constantin, Ana-Maria
Editor(s)
Manning, James G. | Hemenway, Mary Kay | Jensen, Joseph B. | Gibbs, Michael G.
Content
Celestial Motion > Lunar Phases | Celestial Motion > Sun-Earth-Moon
Methodology
Research Setting
Target Group
Students > Middle School Students | Students > Secondary School Students
Institution(s)
Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Book Title
Ensuring STEM Literacy: a National Conference on STEM Education and Public Outreach
Peer-Reviewed Status
Publisher
Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series
Volume
483
Issue Number
483
Conference Proceeding Type
Nation(s) of Study
United States of America
Language
English