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Paper: Using the Hands-On Optics “Terrific Telescopes” Kit in the International Year of Astronomy
Volume: 389, EPO and a Changing World: Creating Linkages and Expanding Partnerships
Page: 415
Authors: Pompea, S.M.; Walker, C.E.; Sparks, R.T.
Abstract: Hands-On Optics (HOO) is a collaborative four-year program to create and sustain a unique, national, informal science education program to excite students about science by actively engaging them in optics activities. The standards based activities and demonstrations have been successfully used in a variety of settings including formal classrooms, after school clubs, and science centers. One of the themes for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) is ”Looking Through a Telescope”. We intend to use HOO activities in conjunction with the IYA to reinforce this important area.

In this workshop, participants completed a series of activities involving refraction, lenses, telescopes, and ultraviolet light and took home a kit containing all the materials required to do the activities with a small group of students. Participants explored the basic properties of positive lenses to create images through the use of hands-on activities, exciting experiments, and educator-lead demonstrations, culminating with the building of a small refracting telescope. Several prototype telescopes were examined in the workshop for use in the International Year of Astronomy.

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