Project-based Learning on Exoplanetary Explorations: Chen Cao at the OAE’s 4th Shaw-IAU Workshop
0Title: Project-based learning on exoplanetary explorations.
Summary: We will discuss how to use observational facilities and real data of exoplanets to teach students.
This was a talk given at the 4th Shaw-IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education, organised by the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE, http//astro4edu.org).
In this contribution, we will discuss how to use observational facilities and real data of exoplanets (transits, radial velocities, transmission spectra, etc.) to make project based learning for high school & undergraduate students. Our research projects on exoplanet detection, characterisation, formation & evolution and habitability, allow students to form advisor led teams, for interactively learning exoplanetary sciences, scheduling observations, obtaining & reducing the data, making analysis and having discussions. Project based learning will engage students in solving problems, answeringquestionsandteamworking. Asaresult, they can develop deep content knowledge as well as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
About Chen Cao:
Dr. Chen CAO (曹晨), from Shandong University (SDU), Weihai, Shandong province, China. PhD in astrophysics (from National Astronomical Observatories, CAS, 2008). Now an associate professor in School of Space Science and Physics, SDU, also serve as the Secretary-General in Shandong Astronomical Society (SDAS). Major research areas are multi-wavelength observational studies on galaxy evolution, extrasolar planets detection and characterization, and astronomical education and outreach. Particularly, very interested in citizen sciences, machine learning, and data driven astronomical education & outreach.
About the 4th Shaw-IAU Workshop:
The topic for this year’s Shaw-IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education is ‘Leveraging the potential of astronomy in formal education’ and is scheduled to run 15 to 17 November 2022 as a fully virtual event on Hopin as in previous years. This year’s Shaw-IAU Workshop focuses on the role of astronomy in the core regions of formal, primary and secondary, education: How do we teach astronomy as its own subject? What is the role of astronomy in teaching physics or chemistry – or in communicating such a central future topic as climate change? In sessions marked with a * we aim to hear specifically from teachers. We also address the question of how to approach those who set the framework for teaching: How can you get your administration, or at a much higher level: your education ministry, to listen to you? Last but not least we look at how to bridge the divide between the fundamentals that are commonly taught in school and results from cutting-edge research, which tend to be fascinating to students and the general public alike. he workshop was organised by the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (http://astro4edu.org). More details can be found on: https://astro4edu.org/shaw-iau/4th-shaw-iau-workshop/
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