ASP: National Astronomy Education Projects: A Catalog

National Astronomy Education Projects: A Catalog

This is an evolving list of those projects and programs in astronomy education to which anyone from around the U.S. can apply or from which anyone can receive materials. It does not include the many worthwhile projects that are designed to serve only one city, one state, or one institution (although we recognize that such programs may nevertheless serve as models for the rest of the country). We very much welcome suggestions and additions for future versions of this list. Please contact the first author at the above address or e-mail: fraknoiandrew {at} fhda.edu.

Note: Organizations that are involved with a number of projects are just listed with their names; see the key at the end of the list for their addresses and telephone numbers.

Table of Contents:

1. Workshops and Training for Teachers of Astronomy (K-12)
2. Workshops and Training for Teachers of Astronomy (College)
3. Curriculum and Information Materials
4. Audiovisual Materials
5. Computer Materials and Projects
6. Planetarium Education Activities
7. Programs Involving Amateur Astronomers
8. Newsletters
9. Programs for Students (K-12)
10. Programs for Students (College)
11. Awards and Grants
12. Miscellaneous Projects

Appendix: Addresses of Frequently Listed Organizations

by Andrew Fraknoi, Shannon Lalor, and Nicole Taddune
(Astronomical Society of the Pacific)
Version 3.0 (Nov. 1997)

©Copyright 1998,
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
390 Ashton Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94112

1.Workshops and Training for Teachers of Astronomy (K-12)

American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT):: Has astronomy education sessions aimed at secondary and community college teachers at meetings. Has a Physics Teacher Resource Agent program to train physics teachers to help other teachers [see appendix]
American Astronomical Society (AAS):: The Education Office of the AAS has many programs and resources available for both astronomy teachers and students. For details, [see appendix]
Association of Astronomy Educators (AAE):: Puts on astronomy education sessions at meetings of the National Science Teachers Association and the American Astronomical Society [see appendix]
Arizona State University, Thermal Emission Spectrometer Project (TES):: Workshops for teachers grades K-12 focused on current space missions. Contact: Mars Educations Program, Mars Space Flight Facility, ASU, Moeur Bldg., Room 131, PO Box 876305, Tempe, AZ 85287-6305; Telephone (480) 965-3038; email marsed@asu.edu; http://esther.la.asu.edu/asu_tes/
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: Project ASTRO: national project to form and train ongoing partnerships between astronomers (professional & amateur) and local 4th-9th grade school teachers for class visits [see appendix]
Center for Astrophysics (CfA):: Develops curricula and materials that reflect current scientific and educational philosophy. identifies and addresses the needs of science teachers and students in elementary, secondary, and college science, with an emphasis on grades K–12. research results and materials are widely available through print and CD-ROM, on the Internet and television, by teleconferencing, and at workshops and teacher conferences. [see appendix]
Challenger Center:: Has a variety of teacher training programs, some in connection with one of its 29 regional Learning Centers, and some in connection with its EdVenture Lab network of collaborative classrooms [see appendix]
Hands-on-Universe Project:: An educational program that enables students to investigate the Universe while applying tools and concepts from science, math, and technology. Using the Internet, HOU participants around the world request observations from an automated telescope, download images from a large image archive, and analyze them with the aid of user-friendly image processing software. [see listing in section 5]
NASA Education:: NASA's educational efforts are extensive. Visit the NASA Office of Education to learn about the many programs, workships, and resources available to K-12 teachers.

National Optical Astronomy Observatories:: Teacher Leaders in Research-Based Science Education (TLRBSE) Program develops master teachers in research based science education. This is one of the ASP’s Project ASTRO sites as well. (See the ASP entry above.) Other ASP and other programs for teachers include Astronomy from the Ground Up, Spanish Language /Astronomy Materials Education Center, Native American Resources, Astronomy Education Review (online teachers' journal), Classroom Resources. See their Webpage, "Education Programs at NOAO". or contact: Dr. Stephen Pompea, Manager, Education Office, NOAO, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, AZ 85726, (520-318-8285)
National Science Teachers' Association (NSTA):: NSTA holds large national and regional conventions for science teachers: most of them have astronomy lectures and programs. NSTA supports professional development and has many resources for K-12 teachers [see appendix]
Project ARTIST:: Workshops and curriculum development for teachers of astronomy and planetary sciences grades 2-8 has ended, but lesson plans for 7 activities are available online. Contact: Larry Lebofsky, University of Arizona, Lunar and Planetary Lab., Tucson, AZ 85721 (520-621-6947); http://www.u.arizona.edu/~lebofsky

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2. Workshops and Trainings for Teachers (College)

American Association of Physics Teachers:: Has an NSF-funded project called TYC21, which brings together regional groups of community college physics and astronomy instructors [see appendix, or consult the web site: http://www.aapt.org/programs/tyc21/tyc.html
American Astronomical Society, Education Office:: sponsors workshops and sessions for college teachers at its semi-annual meetings. [see appendix]
Astronomical Society of the Pacific:: Sponsors Cosmos in the Classroom symposia on college astronomy teaching every 2-3 years. [see appendix]
NASA Space Grant Consortia:: The consortia in many states have outreach programs to help K-12 teachers. Look for the program for your state at their web site http://calspace.ucsd.edu/spacegrant/
National Radio Astronomy Observatory:: Offers a 3 day workshop for undergraduate college professors focusing on Radio Astronomy. Contact: Sue Ann Heatherly, NRAO, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944 (304-456-2209)

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3. Curriculum and Information Materials

Remember this is only a listing of projects, not of all publications.

Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):

Project ASTRO's The Universe at Your Fingertips: An Astronomy Activity and Resource Notebook, 800+ pages of activities and resources for teachers at all levels, especially grades 4-12. A sampling is available at the web site http://www.astrosaociety.org/education/astro/astropubs/universe.html. Available through the ASP's online store, the AstroShop. [see appendix]
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: Provides frequently updated resource guides for educators at all levels, in both print and Web formats. Topics include "Debunking Pseudoscience," "Women in Astronomy," "The Moon," "Science Fiction with Good Astronomy". [see appendix]
Center for Astrophysics (CfA):: Project ARIES is a discovery-based, physical science program built around big themes from astronomy for grades 3-6. Three modules (Time; Light and Color; Astronomy I) are available for purchase from Cobblestone Publishing, Inc., 7 School Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 (800-821-0115) . Five more modules will be available beginning in February, 1998. For more information contact: Bruce Ward (617-495-9798); http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/sed/ARIES
Center for Astrophysics (CfA):: Project STAR & Project SPICA were NSF-supported programs that developed activity-based curriculum & workbooks for teaching astronomy in secondary schools. Materials can be purchased from Kendall Hunt Publishers, P.O. Box 1840, Dubuque, IA 52004 (1-800-228-0810). (The projects also left a legacy of some 200 trained "astronomy resource agent" teachers around the U.S.)
Challenger Center:: has developed and is developing a wide range of class activities and mini-cuuricula, such as Cosmic EdVentures, Marsville, and Mars City Alpha. [see appendix]
Jet Propulsion Lab:: For those who do not live near a NASA center (see below), it is often possible to get NASA lithographs and booklets by writing to: Teaching Resource Center, CS-530, JPL, 4800 Oak Grove Dr., Pasadena, CA 91109. Write on school stationery and indicate what mission or missions you are interested in.
Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS):: Great Explorations in Math & Science (GEMS), Planetarium Activities for Student Success (PASS) are two series of superb hands-on activity guides for teaching astronomy in grades 3-9. Available from the Eureka store, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-5200 (510-642-1016); http://www.lhs.berkeley.edu/publications.html
NASA:: A colorful series of booklets, posters, prints & other materials on space astronomy is available through NASA teacher resource centers around the country. Contact a local NASA center or: Education Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546 for current list of centers. The list of available materials changes constantly. (See also NASA CORE in section 4 and Jet Propulsion Lab above.)
National Optical Astronomy Observatories (NOAO):: The new Educational Outreach Office has begun to design a variety of materials and activities for teachers and students, such as "Frequently Asked Questions about Being an Astronomer." See their web site at http://www.noao.edu/outreach or write to them at P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, AZ 85726; (520-318-8230) e-mail: outreach@noao.edu.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory:: To get some high school-level radio astronomy activities developed by teachers, write: Sue Ann Heatherly, NRAO, P.O. Box 2, Green Bank, WV 24944 (304-456-2209)
National Science Teachers Association (NSTA):: Develops and distributes a range of books and activity collections for teaching astronomy in grades K-12. Ask for their catalog. [see appendix]
New Mexico State University:: Dr. Bernard McNamara is devising a series of astronomy exercises and activities that develop model building and critical thinking. Contact him at: Dept. of Astronomy, Box 30001, Dept. 4500, New Mexico State U., Las Cruces, NM 88003
Pacific Science Center:: AstroAdventures Curriculum, a series of astronomy activities for grades 3-12, assembled by respected astronomy educator Dennis Schatz, and supported by a NASA Space Grant. Contact: The Explore More Store, PSC, 200 Second Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109 (206-443-2870)
SETI Institute:: Life in the Universe Curriculum Project is developing supplementary science curricula and accompanying materials focusing on SETI themes for elementary and middle school students. Contact : SETI, 2035 Landings Dr., Mountain View, CA 94043 (650-961-6633); http://www.seti.org
Space Science Institute:: Provides curriculum materials related to NASA missions or traveling science exhibitions. Materials are available to download on SSI's home page [see appendix].
Stanford Solar Center:: A series of web-based curriculum activities (including images of the Sun from many cultures) at http://solar-center.stanford.edu.
University of Texas McDonald Observatory:: Has posters, activities, CDs of the Star Date radio program, and planetary fact sheets. Contact at RLM 15.308, U. of Texas, Austin, TX 78712 (512-471-5285); http://stardate.utexas.edu
Young Astronauts Program:: Produces simple activities and materials on space science for youngsters; has many local chapters. Contact at 1308 19th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202-682-1984); http://www.yac.org

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4. Audiovisual & Media Materials

Again, we note that only projects or educational organizations are listed, not simply commercial producers of video.

American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT):: Has a modest catalog of audiovisual materials for teaching physics, which includes some astronomy [see appendix]
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: Produces and distributes slide sets on astronomical topics with extensive booklets of captions and background material, as well as many videotapes and CD-ROM's. Available through the online store, the AstroShop [see appendix]
Center for Astrophysics (CfA):: The Private Universe Project is producing a series of videotapes on student misconceptions in science and strategies for promoting conceptual change. Contact: Nancy Finkelstein (617-496-7676)
Coast Telecourses:: Developed 26 half-hour episodes of Universe: The Infinite Frontier, a new educational TV show. Contact at: 11460 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (714-241-6109); http://ct.ccc.cccd.edu/default.html
Finley-Holiday Films:: This commercial company has been designated by both the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Space Telescope Science Institute to distribute slides and videos to educators at reduced cost. Contact them for a current catalog: P.O. Box 619, Whittier, CA 90608 (800-345-6707); http://www.finley-holiday.com
Lunar and Planetary Institute:: Produces and distributes slide sets, CD-ROMs, and other educational materials on planetary science concepts. Contact: 3600 Bay Area Blvd., Houston, TX 77058 (281-486-2175); http://cass.jsc.nasa.gov/lpi/
NASA CORE:: Distributes a wide range of NASA audiovisual materials at low cost to teachers. Ask for their catalog & updates. Contact at: Lorain County JVS, 15181 Route 58 South, Oberlin, OH 44074 (216-774-1051, ext 293, 294)
NOVA Television Programs:: With support from NSF, these are among the very best science programs for teaching. Educators can obtain copies of shows at reasonable cost by calling WGBH (the Boston Public TV station that produces NOVA) at 1-800-255-9424.
The Planetary Society:: Produces and distributes slides and videoas about the solar system and the search for life. See the catalog in their Planetary Report magazine or their web-site at http://planetary.org/store.html. Their address is 65 N. Catalina Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106, (626-793-5100).

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5. Computer Materials or Projects

Astronomy Software List Project:: John Mosley of the Griffith Observatory (and Sky & Telescope's primary software reviewer) will supply an up-to-date listing of astronomical software for $2.00. Make check out to John Mosley, 7303 Enfield Ave., Reseda, CA 91335. (It's a great resource.)
The Astronomy Village I and II:: CD-ROM, Mac-based supplementary curriculum for 9th grade students. Contact: Tom Pie, NASA Center for Educational Technologies, Wheeling Jesuit College, 220 Washington Ave, Wheeling, WV 26003 (304-243-2388)
Exploration in Education (ExInEd):: Project directed by Robert Brown at the Space Telescope Science Institute to produce inexpensive Macintosh discs and CD-ROMs of images (ranging from Hubble Space Telescope images to paintings of an asteroid hitting the Earth) and background material in HyperCard format. See their web site at http://www.stsci.edu/exined/. Discs are available through the Astronomical Society of the Pacific catalog.
Hands-On Universe Project:: Trains teachers to do computer processing of student-acquired astronomical images. Contact: houstaff@hou.lbl.gov Further information available at http://www.handsonuniverse.org

Joint Education Initiative:: Develops CD-ROMs & Internet projects for teachers in geologic and planetary sciences. Contact: Robert Ridky, 3433 A. V. Williams Bldg., U. of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 (301-405-2324)
Lowell Observatory:: Has an innovative interactive exhibit simulating a night at an observatory, with plans available to other institutions. Contact Bill Buckingham, Lowell Obs., 1400 East Mars Hill Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (602-774-3358).
MicroObservatory (Center for Astrophysics):: Developing fully automated, CCD-equipped telescopes with Internet links for remote observing by students. (Ken Brecher at Boston University is also a leader of this project, but contact the Education Dept. at the Center for Astrophysics; address on last page.) http://mo-www.harvard.edu/MicroObservatory
NASA Center for Educational Technologies:: Internet-based middle school curriculum and other resources for educators available. Further information available at www.cotf.edu. or contact Tom Pie, NASA Center for Educational Technologies, Wheeling Jesuit College, 220 Washington Ave, Wheeling, WV 26003 (304-243-2388)
NASA Imagine the Universe Project (formerly the High Energy Astrophysics Learning Center):: Free CD-ROM of the Learning Center and StarChild educational websites with information and activities. Further information is available at http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/
NASA K-12 Internet in the Classroom:: Initiative to help K-12 schools use the Internet for Space Science education. Offers a variey of projects, some without charge, to schools across the United States. Internet initiative videos are available at the cost of distribution from NASA CORE [see section 4]. http://quest.arc.nasa.gov
NASA Spacelink:: An electronic aeronautics and space resource designed to provide current and historical educational information to teachers and students located at http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov. For futher information contact Spacelink, Code CL01, NASA Marshall SFC, Huntsville, AL 35812 (205-544-6360)
Passport to Knowledge:: An ongoing series of "electronic field trips to scientific frontiers" which uses interactive television and online computer networks to "take" students to frontier research areas research. Contact: Passport to Knowledge, P.O. Box 1502, Summit, NJ 07902-1502 (800-626-LIVE) http://quest.arc.nasa.gov/antarctica/passport.html
Project CLEA:: Produces innovative computer-based astronomy lab exercises for undergraduates on IBM and Mac. Contact at: Dept. of Physics, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA 17325 (717-337-6028); http://www.gettysburg.edu/project/physics/clea/CLEAhome.html
Remote Access Astronomy Project:: Computerized telescope and dial-in data distribution (using images from many telescopes) with image processing software & activities. Contact them c/o Dept. of Physics, University. of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 (805-893-7240); e-mail: raap@rot.ucsb.edu; http://www.deepspace.ucsb.edu/rot.htm
Science Information Infrastructure Education Project:: National partnership to adapt astrophysics and remote sensing NASA data for use in classrooms through the world wide web. Further information available at http://www.cse.ssl.berkeley.edu/sii/sii_sii.html. Contact Isabel Hawkins, Center for EUV Astrophysics, 2150 Kittredge St., #5030, Berkeley, CA 94720. (510-643-5662) [e-mail: isabelh@cea.berkeley.edu]
Space Telescope Science Institute: has an excellent series of inquiry-based activities on their web site entitled Amazing Space; http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/amazing-space.html

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6. Planetarium Education Activities

Astronomy Link:: is a listing of astronomy research and education experts available to assist planetarium educators in devising their programs and outreach activities. Contact: Jim Manning, Taylor Planetarium, Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman, MT 59717 (406-994-6874); [e-mail: ammjm@gemini.oscs.montana.edu]
International Planetarium Society:: Holds conferences, publishes The Planetarian magazine, offers special publications and a directory. Contact them c/o Hansen Planetarium, 15 S. State St., Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Their web-site is http://sunsite.unc.edu/ips. A job information service is available c/o S. Fentress, Director, Strasenburgh Planetarium, P.O. Box 1480, Rochester, NY 14603 (send a stamped, self-addressed envelope). There are also active regional organizations of planetarium staff, whose work is described in The Planetarian.
Lawrence Hall of Science (LHS): has offered an excellent series of training workshops for those working with portable planetaria and has a series of activity books for such planetaria (see section 2)
Learning Technologies, Inc.:: Small company that makes the Starlab inflatable/portable planetaria and trains teachers on how to use them. Also distributes excellent kits of material for high school and college astronomy activities. Contact at: 40 Cameron Ave., Somerville, MA 02144 (800-537-8703); http://www.starlab.com/

A number of planetaria sell pre-packaged planetarium shows, including the Hayden Planetarium, New York City; the Strasenburgh Planetarium, Rochester, NY; the Davis Planetarium in Baltimore; and the Hansen Planetarium, Salt Lake City, Utah; and many others.

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7. Programs Involving Amateur Astronomers

American Association of Variable Star Observers:: Variable Star Astronomy (VSA) develops activities and materials for students involving real variable star data. Contact: Aaron Price, AAVSO, 49 Bay State Rd., Cambridge, MA 02138 (617-354-0484) Further information available at www.aavso.org
Astronomical League:: This is the umbrella group of all the amateur astronomy clubs in the U.S. They sponsor a range of national and local educational programs; see their newsletter The Reflector, or their web-site at http://www.astroleague.org. (Permanent address: Astronomical League, Science Service Building, 1719 N. St., NW, Washington, DC 20036)
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: Project ASTRO: forms and trains ongoing partnerships between astronomers (professional & amateur) and local 4th-9th grade school teachers for class visits. Astronomers turn out to make excellent partners for teachers and can relate well to students. [see appendix]
Astronomy Day:: Annual day when amateurs around the country bring telescopes to shopping centers, schools, and other sites to let the public view the sky. Co-sponsored by many organizations. Contact: Gary Tomlinson, Public Museum of Grand Rapids, 272 Pearl NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616-456-3532) www.mcs.net/~bstevens/al/astroday.html. (For a copy of the Astronomy Day Handbook, see the web-site at http://www.skypub.com/astroday/adayhbk.html)
NASA Night Sky Network:: A nationwide coalition of over 200 astronomy clubs around the USA bringing the science and inspiration of NASA's missions to the public. Members of the Night Sky Network receive free Outreach ToolKits of materials to convey a variety of astronomy and space-related topics. The program is supported by NASA and administered by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP). Find out how to join: http://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/

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8. Newsletters

Abrams Planetarium:: Sky Calendar is a well designed monthly sheet that includes a daily calendar of sky events and suggests a variety of night-sky observing activities. Contact them at: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 (517-335-4676); http://www.pa.msu.edu/abrams/
American Astronomical Society Working Group on Astronomy Education:: Provides an electronic newsletter on announcements and discussion. Contact: Steve Shawl at shawl@ukans.edu; or see the web site at www.aas.org.
Astronomical League:: The Reflector newsletter frequently covers educational activities by or for amateurs (see section 7)
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: Publishes free quarterly Universe in the Classroom online newsletter for grade 3-12 teachers.[see appendix]
Association of Astronomy Educators (AAE):: Has a newsletter on teaching astronomy for its members [see appendix]
NASA:: Educational Horizons newsletter brings news of NASA science and education activities to teachers. Contact: NASA Headquarters, Education Division, Code FE, 300 E St., SW, Washington, DC 20546

Note: Many of the projects listed in the previous sections have newsletters for their participants and supporters.

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9. Programs for Students (K-12)

Astronomical League:: National Young Astronomer Award recognizes outstanding achievment in astronomy by young people 14-19 years of age. First prize is a $3000 telescope. Contact: Charles Allen, NYAA, 1007 Rollingwood Ln., Goshen, KY 40026 (502-589-5400); e-mail: 74023.2331@compuserve.com
Bart J. Bok Prize in Astronomy,: sponsored jointly by the American Astronomical Society and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, each year to the top astronomy project at the International Science and Engineering Fair. Material for participating in the fair is available from Science Service, 1719 N St., NW, Washington, DC 20036
NSTA/NASA Space Science Involvement Program:: A series of contests for K-12 students with space-related themes, involving writing, art, and design. [see appendix]
University of Arizona Astronomy Camps [see listing in section 12]
U.S. Space Camp:: A commercial venture, now in three locations in Alabama, Florida, and Norhtern California, has a camp for younger kids, an Academy for older ones, and educator programs. U.S. Space and Rocket Center, 1 Tranquility Base, Huntsville, AL 35805 (1-800-63SPACE); http://www.spacecamp.com
Young Astronaut Council:: This nationwide program has school or community-based chapters and produces activities, contests, and materials to encourage student interest in space. Contact them at: 1308 19th St NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202-682-1984); http://www.yac.org

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10. Programs for Students (College)

American Astronomical Society (AAS):: Harlow Shapley Visiting Lecturer Program, a lecture series designed to bring astronomers to campuses without astronomy programs in the U.S.and Canada. Contact A.G. Davis Phillip, 1125 Oxford Place, Schenectady, NY 12308 (518-374-5636)
Haystack Observatory:: is developing a center for undergraduate research at MIT's Haystack Observatory. The education program includes materials, tutorials, and tools to provide students the necessary background in radio astronomy and astrophysics. Contact: Dr. Preethi Pratap, Northeast Radio Observatory Corporation, MIT Haystack Observatory, Westford, MA 01886 (978-692-4764); http://www.haystack.edu/haystack
NASA Spacegrant College and Fellowship:: has a wide range of grants and research opportunities for students. The program is organized via a network of 52 state-wide Space Grant Consortia. See their web site at http://calspace.ucsd.edu/spacegrant/; or write Space Grant Office, Education Division, NASA Headquarters, 300 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20546.
NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates:: 12 sites nationally offera variety of research opportunities for undergraduates in astronomy. The application deadline varies dependent upon the site. For more information see http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/reu/reupma.htm#astron.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory:: Summer Intern Program for Undergraduates; especially targeted at women/minority students from small colleges. Contact: Kim Dow, CfA, 60 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138 (617-496-7586) [e-mail: intern@cfa.harvard.edu]; http://hea-www.harvard.edu/REU/REU.html.

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11. Awards or Grants for Astronomy Education

American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics:: Has $200 Classroom Aid Grants for K-12 teachers, and Undergraduate and Graduate Fellowships. Contact: AIAA, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Suite 500, Reston, VA 20191 (1-800-NEW-AIAA); http://www.aiaa.org
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: The Klumpke-Roberts Award is given each year for lifetime of contributions to the public understanding of astronomy (offered since 1974). Contact the Society for nomination guidelines; see addresses at end.
Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP):: The Brennan Award is given each year to someone who has made outstanding contributions to the high school teaching of astronomy (offered since 1993). Write for guidelines.
NASA Astrophysics Division (through the Space Telescope Science Institute):: IDEA Grants Program funds small and medium size projects in astronomy education by astronomers. Contact: IDEA Grants Program, Education Division, STScI, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218 [e-mail: idea@stsci.edu]; http://ideas.stsci.edu
National Science Foundation:: Offers grants for projects in science education through various education and training programs. Write for brochures about current programs and grant guidelines to: NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22230 (703-306-1600); http://www.nsf.gov/
NSF Informal Science Education Supplements to Research Awards:: up to $50,000 is available to research grant recipients who want to do broad dissemination of their results in an out of school setting. Contact the Informal Science Education Division [see appendix]

Tufts University:: Wright Fellowship Program for secondary school science teachers to develop and disseminate curriculum materials while in residence at Tufts. The yearlong fellowship offers a $35,000 salary, plus benefits and a relocation stipend of $2,000. Their Teacher Scholarship Program is a one-week interdisciplinary fellow for middle and highschool teachers and a teacher of another subject to develop a unit or lesson which reflect both subject areas. Scholarship includes $750.00, substitute pay, plus use of all Tufts facilities (room and board not included). Contact: Educational Coordinator, Wright Center for Science Education, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA 02155 (617-628-5000) http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/index.html

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12. Miscellaneous Projects


Boston Museum of Science:: Touch the Stars is a tactile astronomy book in Braille for the visually impaired. Contact Noreen Grice, Museum of Science, Science Park, Boston, MA 02114 (617-589-0439)
Coalition for Earth Science Education:: An umbrella group of organizations interested in encouraging the teaching of earth science, which includes astronomy. Contact: Frank Ireton, AGU, 2000 Florida Ave., NW Washington, DC 20009 (202-462-6900); http://www.agu.org
Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal (CSICOP):: Group of scientists, educators, magicians, & skeptics that informs teachers and the public about the scientific perspective on such pseudosciences as astrology, psychic power, or the face on Mars. They publish the excellent Skeptical Inquirer magazine. Contact at: Box 703, Buffalo, NY 14226 (716-636-1425); http://www.csicop.org
Earth and Sky Radio Series:: a 90 second daily radio series on astronomy and earth science. Highlights tape available. A newsletter for this project, called Earth in the Classroom, is distributed with The Universe in the Classroom (see Section 8). Contact: P.O. Box 2203, Austin, TX 78768 (512-480-8773); http://www.earthsky.com
International Dark-Sky Association:: Non-profit organization devoted to educating the public about the danger and waste of light pollution. Good information packets available. Contact: IDA, 3545 N. Stewart, Tucson, AZ 85716; http://www.darksky.org
Mt. Wilson Observatory:: Telescopes in Education Project allows classes to do remote observing with a 24-inch telescope using a computer and modem in their school. While the remote observing costs money for amateurs or colleges, NASA is funding the program free for schools. Contact: TIE, Box 24, Mt. Wilson, CA 91023 (818-793-3100); http://tie.jpl.nasa.gov/tie/index.html
National Undergraduate Research Observatory:: A 31-inch telescope near Flagstaff, AZ and a consortium of colleges to operate it. Contact: Kathy Eastwood, Physics & Astronomy, N. Arizona Univ., P.O. Box 6010, Flagstaff, AZ 86011 (602-523-2661); http://nuro.phy.nau.edu/
Space Science Institute:: Provides traveling exhibitions for science museums related to current NASA missions and space science. Currently offers Electric Space and is developing a Mars Quest exhibition. [see appendix]
Jack Horkheimer: Star Gazer (formerly Star Hustler): A five minute, weekly TV series on naked-eye viewing produced in cooperation with Miami Museum of Science and Space Transit. Teachers can obtain episodes through NASA CORE [see section #4 for NASA CORE contact information]. Contact: J.E. Harper, Miami Space Transit Planetarium, 3280 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129 (305-854-4244); http://www.jackstargazer.com/
University of Arizona Astronomy Camps:: Summer programs for youngsters, adults, and teachers. Contact Don McCarthy, Steward Obs., U. of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721 (520-621-4079); http://www.astronomycamp.org
University of Texas McDonald Observatory:: StarDate, a 2-minute daily radio program, broadcast on many stations, available on CD's or tape. A new Spanish-language version called Universo debuted in April 1995. Contact at RLM 15.308, U. of Texas, Austin, TX 78712 (512-471-5285); http://stardate.utexas.edu
Wright Center for Science Education:: Offers a wide spectrum of resources including summer workshops, seminars and symposia targeting women and underrepresented minorities, and a variety of science education resources. Contact: Wright Center for Science Education, Science and Technology Center, 4 Colby Street, Tufts University, Madford, MA 02155 (617-628-5000 x5394); http://www.tufts.edu/as/wright_center/index.html

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Addresses of Organizations Listed Several Times Above:

American Association of Physics Teachers, One Physics Ellipse, College Park, MD 20740-3845 (301-209-3311)

American Astronomical Society Education Office, c/o Adler Planetarium, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 (312-294-0340)

Association of Astronomy Educators, c/o Vivian Hoette, Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, 1300 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 (312-322-0549)

Astronomical Society of the Pacific, 390 Ashton Ave., San Francisco, CA 94112 (415-337-1100); AstroShop (online store for educational products)

Center for Astrophysics, Science Education Dept, MS 71, 60 Garden St., Cambridge, MA 02138 (617-495-9798)

Challenger Center, 1250 North Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, (888-683-9740)

National Science Teachers' Association, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201 (703-243-7100)

Space Science Institute, 1234 Innovation Drive, Suite 294, Boulder, CO 80303 (303-492-3627)

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