TOPS 2001 AST399 Course Credits

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This is a directed reading 3-credit college course. Students who are currently graduating high school seniors will take this for college credits through the normal summer program, and the students who are still in high school need to take this through the special UH Summer Scholars Program. The credits will be the same. The course will provide extensive astronomy content instruction (with the theme of exploration of other planetary systems and an astronomical search for origins). We will cover topics on the origin of the solar system, the searches for extrasolar planetary systems and the role that the telescopes on Mauna Kea play in that search, and will integrate concepts of chemistry, biology and environmental science into the program as we discuss the conditions suitable for life in extreme environments, and other places in the solar system where we are searching fo life. We will also integrate aspects of Hawaiian and Polynesian culture into the program through an archaeoastronomy exploration (including a field trip to an astronomically significant heiau and learnign how to do archaeological surveying).

Below are the course requirements:

• Participation in all aspects of the workshop

• Oral group presentation at the workshop on your observing project

• Quiz at end of workshop

• Share the workshop experience at your schools.

The school report is due August 10, 2001 to either Karen Meech or Beverly Lynn-Wilson:

• A 3 page written report of what activities you will engage in to share the TOPS experience at your school. This could include a presentation to the school, helping recruit new TOPS participants, helping start an astronomy club, writing a school newsletter etc. If you make any additional written materials (e.g. newsletter), please include them with your report.