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The science investigations of WISE range
from asteroids to the entire Universe, and there are therefore
many opportunities to bring them into the classroom. Understanding
star formation, galaxy collisions, extra solar planets, and black
holes requires understanding of more basic concepts in the physical
sciences and mathematics. The WISE E/PO program will be developing
several classroom lessons that will address concepts in physics,
chemistry, and math as well as more advanced lessons that will
use actual WISE image data. Until those are created we have selected
a number of links to other related NASA classroom resources. Each
lesson is tied to National Science Education Standards.
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Space
Science Education Resource Directory
 Visit
SSERD is a growing collection of all NASA Space
Science classroom resources organized and searchable by grade level and
topic. |
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Cool
Cosmos
Visit
This website from the Spitzer Space Telescope gives an in-depth look at infrared
astronomy. It includes
classroom lesson, images, movies, and online tutorials. |
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Multiwavelength
Milky Way
Visit
This website brings together several sets of image data of the Milky Way Galaxy
in different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Some tutorial pages explain
the nature of light, the structure of the Milky Way, and how maps of the Milky
Way are made from Earth. |
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Accessing WISE Images: Tutorial
Visit
This tutorial explains how to navigate the WISE Archive. |
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Making Color Images: Tutorial
Visit
This tutorial explain the basic processes for creating a color picture using images downloaded from the WISE Science Data Archive. |
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Invisible
Universe
Visit
In this GEMS guide,
developed in partnership with NASA's Swift Gamma-ray Burst mission and the Lawrence Hall of Science,
intriguing activities deepen student understanding of the electromagnetic
spectrum, enabling students to detect and consider wavelengths other
than visible light. Activities feature energy stations, including infrared
(TV remote); microwave (pager); ultraviolet (black light) and other devices.
Students come up with their own tests to see what blocks each wavelength,
and what does not. They learn how these other wavelengths can be used
to "see" things we cannot see with our eyes–allowing
space scientists to detect and image objects, phenomena, and sources
of energy far off in space. Colorful examples of these images are included
in the guide. |
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The Inverse Square Law of Light
Download PDF (728KB)
We all know that a light, such as a candle or a streetlight, looks dimmer the farther away from it we get. This classroom activity gives an easy way for students to measure the relationship between distance and brightness. Once students discover the relationship, they can begin to understand how astronomers use this knowledge to determine the distances to stars and far away galaxies. |
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Parallax
Download PDF (2 MB)
One method that astronomers use to measure distances to far away objects is called parallax. This activity introduces students to the concept and has them make measurements of distance and parallax angle to determine their relationship. The activity can be done using a ruler, string, astronomical images and other items easily found in a classroom.
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Active Astronomy:
Classroom Activities for Learning
About Infrared Light
Visit
A set of four activities from NASA’s SOFIA mission that focus on improving
student understanding of infrared light. These hands-on and demonstration activities
are designed to complement instruction on the electromagnetic spectrum for middle
and high school students; they are not a complete curriculum. Each activity has
been designed to take 1-2 class periods. |
SEGway Education Page
Visit
A web site where you can find
over 20 lessons covering Earth Science (e.g. Surfing for Earthquakes and Volcanoes)
to Space Science (e.g.
The Light Tour) at grade levels from K-12.
Amazing Space
Visit
Located at the Space Telescope
Science Institute this interactive online K-12 Curriculum provides interdisciplinary
activities entitled: Star Light, Star Bright, Solar System Trading Cards, Hubble
Deep Field Academy, Student Astronaut Challenge, and Galileo to the Hubble Space
Telescope.
Central Operation of Resources for Educators (CORE)
Visit
This web site hosts the
worldwide distribution center for NASA-produced multimedia materials that can
be used as curriculum supplement materials.
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