From: jwee@mail.arc.nasa.gov (Jan Wee)
Subject: Live From Mars Teacher's Guide Preview: PTK Overview
Date: Fri, 04 Oct 1996 15:11:19 -0500
Dear discuss-lfm members, Here is the second Teacher's Guide Preview file, PTK Overview. You will note that we have <insert> notes within this file, as the final inclusions are yet to be placed. Jan Wee ------------------------------------------------- Live from Mars Project Overview Live from Mars is an integrated multimedia project, which uses online resources print materials live interactive video Each medium contributes what it does best. Participants in past projects report that students benefit most when all three components are utilized to the fullest. Online The Internet breaks down the walls of the classroom and brings the world and world-class researchers to any school, any place, any time. Online opportunities facilitate direct, individual interactions with leading scientists, experts and their support teams, through "Researcher Q&A" >>>EXAMPLE HERE: KID QUESTION AND STUDENT ANSWER<<< "Field Journals" and "Biographies" provide behind-the-scenes anecdotes which personalize the scientific process. >>>EXAMPLE HERE: MIKE MALIN<<< Images and weather data direct from Mars will be available via the Internet in close to real time. Online collaborative activities encourage students to collect data locally, and share it nationally and internationally, validating their efforts by seeing their research and writing published on the 'Net. Teachers share curriculum ideas and implementation challenges with other teachers via online mail-lists >>>EXAMPLE FROM DISCUSS-LFM<<< All materials, including the discussions, remain accessible indefinitely via an online Archive The project provides online components both for those limited to e- mail only, and those with full access to the World Wide Web. (A Guided Tour of the project's online environment is accessible via: http://CHECK, CHECK) Print The print materials provide all a teacher needs to create classroom lessons and Activities: the Guide (also accessible online) provides a teacher-friendly, easy-to-use introduction to the entire project, and is co-packaged with camera-ready masters of Student Worksheets and key visuals to support the Activities; an original full-color poster, and background NASA publicaitons. Hands-on Activities simulate key aspects of the research seen during the project, and illuminate key scientific concepts. >>>ACTIVITY SAMPLE HERE<<< Many of the Activities suggest adaptations up and down in grade level beyond middle school. Many of the Activities suggest ways to connect across the disciplines to math, social studies, language arts, technology education, art and computer classes. Icons signal these opportunities. >>>ICON BAR HERE<<< Each Activity retains the pedagogically-sound "Engage", "Explore", "Explain", "Expand" format of previous Guides. Opening and Closing Activities help teachers create a productive anticipatory set, and/or reinforce learning after the live video or online interactions. >>>ACTIVITY SAMPLE HERE<<< A Teacher's Kit provides more extensive materials, including the Guide and its co-packaged publications, a bonus color poster, a Mars slide set, a VHS teacher orientation tape including NASA animations and Activity demos, a Mars CD-ROM, and curriculum materials underwritten by the Mars Exploration Directorate of NASA's JPL -- and more. (To order the Kit, fill in and return the form co-packaged with this Guide.) Video Television provides the sights and sounds, the people, places and processes, which put a living context around the text. Personal portraits of the researchers and their lives humanize the hard work of doing science and demystify high-tech careers . >>>VIDEO IMAGE HERE: TONY SPEAR?/DONNA SHIRLEY?<<< Cutting-edge telecommunications connects students to remote and otherwise inaccessible locations. Graphics and dynamic visuals simplify complex concepts. Live, two-way interactions between students and researchers symbolize the interactive possibilities universally available via the Internet >>>VIDEO BOX SHOT FROM LFS OR LHST HERE?<<< Teachers rate the live component of the Live from... videos highly, although most teachers use them on tape : there's no contradiction. The excitement of the original live interactions is maintained while teachers gain flexibility by using the videos on tape. (for more on the video components, call the project Hotline, or check out: http://CHECK, CHECK) *** As an example of how Passport to Knowledge works best, Activity 1.1, "Rocket Science 101" uses simple balloons to give students hands-on experience with issues of thrust, fuel and payloads, as a real-world application of Newton's Laws. On November 19, 1996, during Live from Mars, Program 1, "COUNTDOWN", we'll see the previously taped launch of Mars Global Surveyor. Students in Worcester, MA., childhood home of American rocket pioneer Robert H. Goddard, will interact live with today's rocket scientists at Cape Canaveral, where Mars Pathfinder is also being readied. And online students can find background information on the Delta II rockets set to launch both missions, and any student, anywhere, can ask questions that remain after the live program. (see diagram.) If YOU have questions, you'll find >>>discuss-lfm<<< responsive to your individual interests and needs: this online Teachers' Lounge allows you to make suggestions, ask for advice and share ideas, creating a "Virtual Community" which turns the Guide, videos and other online materials into living documents which can evolve during the course of the project. There's no "royal road to math" said Pythagoras, and there's no one way to implement Live from Mars. We hope you'll work with us to find many right ways to bring the exploration of the Red Planet to life for your students.