|
Education and Public Outreach: SETI Institute
Reporting Period: 2005 (7/04-6/05)
Are We Alone? Radio Program
"Are We Alone?" is a weekly, one-hour radio broadcast produced by the SETI Institute that covers science (primarily astrobiology related topics) and skepticism. The format for the show is primarily interviews of topic experts by the host, Seth Shostak, and the producer, Molly Bentley. Shostak is an astronomer at the Institute, and Bentley is a science reporter for the BBC. The guests are usually from academia, NASA, or research organizations. Once a month, the program presents "Skeptical Sunday," where we take on pseudoscience by discussing topics such as Intelligent Design, the UFO phenomenon, remote viewing, etc. with skeptics and experts. The show has active participation by CSICOP and the American Physical Society, as well as several "personalities" (e.g., astronomer Phil Plait) who contribute regularly to the program. Guests have included Michio Kaku, Craig Venter, Ray Kurzweil, Laurance Krauss, Richard Dawkins, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Paul Davies, and countless researchers and headquarters staff from NASA. The show is broadcast live on approximately three-dozen AM stations by Radio America, but is also heard on Sirius Satellite Radio and on the internet, either live, or via downloads of archived shows. More than 70 such archived shows are available for podcast downloading -- principally via Apple's iTunes -- and as of the beginning of August, the number of downloads is running 10 to 20 thousand per show. This number seems to be increasing. On the basis of polls, we estimate that the total audience per show is currently 20 to 50 thousand. The intention is to at least double this number within a year.
Voyages Through Time (VTT) Dissemination
Voyages Through Time: A High School Astrobiology Curriculum: In partnership with NASA Fundamental Biology, the NASA Astrobiology Institute, The National Science Foundation, The California Academy of Sciences, and San Francisco State University, the SETI Institute developed Voyages Through Time (VTT), a National Science Education Standards (NSES)-based integrated science curriculum for high school centered on the unifying theme of evolution. Scientists, teachers, curriculum writers, and media specialists produced six CD-ROM modules that integrate astronomical, geological, and biological sciences. The sequence of lessons in each module is designed to promote students' understanding of science and skills as defined by the NSES and American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Benchmarks for Science Literacy. The six modules, Cosmic Evolution, Planetary Evolution, Origin of Life, Evolution of Life, Hominid Evolution, and Evolution of Technology, use the constructivist approach of engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate (Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, 1996) as an instructional framework. NAI Central funded the revision and production of the CD-ROM samplers of the curriculum. The samplers provide astrobiology activities for the classroom. The VTT national field test took place from September 2001 through July 2002 in over 60 classrooms in 28 states. Teacher feedback was very positive, and the curriculum was revised following the national test evaluation summary reports. The curriculum was published in August 2003.
NAI EPO Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers (ASSET)
The second Astrobiology Summer Science Experience for Teachers (ASSET ) program was held July 10 - 16, 2005. ASSET is a science, pedagogy and leadership institute with presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA, and the California Academy of Sciences. Scientists share the latest in astrobiology research on the origin of life on Earth, the extreme conditions in which life exists, Mars exploration, the formation of planetary systems around Sun-like stars, and the search for life in the universe. ASSET features a combination of cutting edge science, inquiry-based teaching and learning, and leadership skills development in alignment with National Science Education Standards Professional Development Standards.
ASSET participants received the entire Voyages Through Time (VTT) curriculum and complementary astrobiology materials, developed by NASA's Astrobiology Institute, for use in their classrooms. VTT is a standards-based integrated high school science curriculum, delivered on CD-ROMS. VTT consists of six modules: Cosmic Evolution, Planetary Evolution, Origin of Life, Evolution of Life, Hominid Evolution, and Evolution of Technology. Together these modules comprise a yearlong, integrated science course; or they may be used individually in discipline-specific courses. ASSET participants will implement at least one curriculum module, and conduct and report upon two significant outreach activities within two years. First year ASSET teachers implemented the curriculum and hosted outreach events ranging from teacher workshops to community astrobiology events.
Astrobiology Professional Development Workshops and Short courses for teachers
Professional development workshops and short courses are conducted for educators. Events feature Life in the Universe curriculum guides by theSETI Institute, the NAI Life on Earth and Elsewhere educator resource guide, as well as Voyages Through Time high school science curriculum. The workshops are aligned with National Science Education Standards, and provide astrobiology science content and pedagogical content knowledge.
NAI Team Public Science Talks
SETI Institute NAI scientists conducted public talks and lectures in several national and international venues. Elementary, middle school, high school, undergraduate, and graduate student groups are addressed, as well as the general public. Over 100 talks were given by 13 NAI team members to a total audience of more than 9000.
Alien Earth Exhibit Science Talks at Lawrence Hall of Science
SETI Institute's NAI EPO team organized the science speaker series for the Alien Earths exhibit at Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, CA February 5, through March 8, 2005. Alien Earths is an astrobiology-themed interactive science exhibit designed for the public, and LHS was the first venue for this traveling exhibit. Approximately 300 visitors attended the speaker series.
|
|
Stay Updated with RSS Feeds