Astronomy Village
Description and Availability
The Astronomy Village is a CD-ROM based multimedia program which was
developed by the NASA Classroom of the Future program at the Wheeling
Jesuit College. The program was designed to supplement 9th grade earth
science classes, but it is also suitable for older age groups. Using
this program, students spend 3 weeks conducting an astronomy
investigation in the village. While in the village, students are guided
by an electronic mentor. They can listen to lectures, receive email,
use the library or the computer center to process data (using the NIH
image processing program) which they obtain at the village
observatory. The open ended research problems mirror areas of current
forefront astronomy research such as planets around nearby stars and
characterization of star forming regions. This exemplary product not
only introduces students to the scientific method with a wide variety
of tools, but also gives the students an idea about what the life of a
real astronomer is like through personal glimpses at the village
cafeteria.
To ensure that teachers are able to effectively use the Astronomy
Village product, the Wheeling Jesuit College also offers
summer workshops. The
workshops are offered at no cost other than transportation to West Virginia.
Information about the software and the workshops may be obtained from:
The Astronomy Village Project
NASA Classroom of the Future
Wheeling Jesuit College
Wheeling WV 26003
(304) 243-2388; Fax (304) 243-2497
astrov@cotf.edu
For further information, including samples of the Village layout, see
the Astronomy Village homepage.
The product may be ordered free through a NASA Teacher Resource Center,
or may be purchased
through NASA CORE for a nominal shipping charge.
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Last modified: September 2, 1996