Kevin Offers Outstanding Educational School Programs
The following programs are offered for school assemblies, classroom breakout sessions, and summer camps & academies. Regular full-length programs can be used as evening fundraisers for parents and visiting adults, followed by the setting up of a powerful telescope outdoors for viewing the Moon, the rings of Saturn and other beautiful objects in the night sky, weather permitting.. All of the programs listed meets several of the NRC National Science Education Standards. For the teachers of your school and/or entire district I offer a program on Interdisciplinary Approaches to Education using Astronomy as a Catalyst to Learning. The first workshop given at Tufts University proved effective in equipping teachers attending from across the U.S. and six other nations with methods and strategies they could use inside and outside the classroom.
Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe
Kevin Manning, an astronomer and former consultant with NASA, has always been passionate about astronomy, and wants to share the excitement with you! Over the next hour, you’ll learn about the size and scale of the universe, the stars, and other celestial wonders using hands-on activities and assorted visuals.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Describe the properties of an airless world.
Explain methods used for measuring great distances in space.
Define and identify several Messier Objects.
Name and review several different types of objects throughout the universe.
Discuss the ways we are moving in space.
Rank in order of priority a list of items needed for survival in space.
Compare and contrast the sizes of objects from the very small to the very large.
Analyze physical properties of stars in relation to their brightness.
Appreciate the enormity of the universe.
Roadmap to the Stars: the Night Sky Explained
When you wish upon a star, wouldn't it be good to know which star it is and what constellation it lies in? Objects in the night sky can be pinpointed with a little understanding of the celestial sphere and its coordinates. Hands-on activities using star charts will serve to bring the point home.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Describe the celestial sphere.
List several bright stars and constellations by name and position in the sky.
Apply celestial coordinates to the reading of star charts.
Define apparent and absolute magnitude.
Use a planisphere and observation log to find and record celestial objects.
Examine the motions of celestial bodies.
Construct a star finder.
Telescopes: Eyes on the Universe
A look into the history and development of telescopes, current technological advances allowing us to gather broad information from all ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, and what the future holds for space telescopes. Basic details of telescope types, function and performance along with a description of accessories will help participants choose a telescope wisely.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Sequence historical developments since the invention of the telescope.
Identify different types of telescopes.
Describe how a telescope performs and functions.
Calculate magnification in regards to focal length.
Relate various limitations to telescope performance.
Label accessories and types of mountings for telescopes.
Distinguish advantages of space telescopes.
Justify the importance of telescopic observations in all regions of the spectrum.
Build a telescope.
Capture the Colorful Cosmos with NASA’s MicroObservatory
Participants will learn how to access robotic telescopes, take photographs of planets, galaxies, and nebulae and use image processing tools to bring out detail in these photos the same way that professional astronomers do. Inspire your students to take and manipulate their own astronomical photographs and create original displays and exhibits. The MicroObservatory Online Telescope Network is operated by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, with funding from the NSF and NASA.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Recall and utilize all that was learned in previous lessons.
Classify and select from various objects in the universe for observation.
Explain the method and steps used in astrophotography.
Produce image for processing and compose creative writing for same.
Research data about chosen object of interest.
Create a cosmic quilt block and evaluate its credibility.
Organize blocks for a cosmic quilt display and exhibit.
What’s Happening In the Universe Today?
Kevin Manning, an astronomer and former consultant with NASA, looks into a modern understanding of matter and energy and how it is distributed throughout the cosmos. Should we be concerned about December 21, 2012? What are the kinds of extraordinary events that occur in the universe and how can they affect us? Answers to these and other questions regarding dark matter and dark energy shall be explored using outstanding photos and video segments.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Discover the fundamental and intricate workings of the universe.
Classify objects in the universe based on their appearance.
Appreciate the beauty, danger and grandeur of the cosmos.
Astronomy for Everyone: Size & Scale of the Universe
Kevin Manning, an astronomer and former consultant with NASA, has always been passionate about astronomy, and wants to share the excitement with you! Over the next hour, you’ll learn about the size and scale of the universe, the stars, and other celestial wonders using hands-on activities and assorted visuals.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Describe the properties of an airless world.
Explain methods used for measuring great distances in space.
Define and identify several Messier Objects.
Name and review several different types of objects throughout the universe.
Discuss the ways we are moving in space.
Rank in order of priority a list of items needed for survival in space.
Compare and contrast the sizes of objects from the very small to the very large.
Analyze physical properties of stars in relation to their brightness.
Appreciate the enormity of the universe.
Roadmap to the Stars: the Night Sky Explained
When you wish upon a star, wouldn't it be good to know which star it is and what constellation it lies in? Objects in the night sky can be pinpointed with a little understanding of the celestial sphere and its coordinates. Hands-on activities using star charts will serve to bring the point home.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Describe the celestial sphere.
List several bright stars and constellations by name and position in the sky.
Apply celestial coordinates to the reading of star charts.
Define apparent and absolute magnitude.
Use a planisphere and observation log to find and record celestial objects.
Examine the motions of celestial bodies.
Construct a star finder.
Telescopes: Eyes on the Universe
A look into the history and development of telescopes, current technological advances allowing us to gather broad information from all ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, and what the future holds for space telescopes. Basic details of telescope types, function and performance along with a description of accessories will help participants choose a telescope wisely.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Sequence historical developments since the invention of the telescope.
Identify different types of telescopes.
Describe how a telescope performs and functions.
Calculate magnification in regards to focal length.
Relate various limitations to telescope performance.
Label accessories and types of mountings for telescopes.
Distinguish advantages of space telescopes.
Justify the importance of telescopic observations in all regions of the spectrum.
Build a telescope.
Capture the Colorful Cosmos with NASA’s MicroObservatory
Participants will learn how to access robotic telescopes, take photographs of planets, galaxies, and nebulae and use image processing tools to bring out detail in these photos the same way that professional astronomers do. Inspire your students to take and manipulate their own astronomical photographs and create original displays and exhibits. The MicroObservatory Online Telescope Network is operated by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, with funding from the NSF and NASA.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Recall and utilize all that was learned in previous lessons.
Classify and select from various objects in the universe for observation.
Explain the method and steps used in astrophotography.
Produce image for processing and compose creative writing for same.
Research data about chosen object of interest.
Create a cosmic quilt block and evaluate its credibility.
Organize blocks for a cosmic quilt display and exhibit.
What’s Happening In the Universe Today?
Kevin Manning, an astronomer and former consultant with NASA, looks into a modern understanding of matter and energy and how it is distributed throughout the cosmos. Should we be concerned about December 21, 2012? What are the kinds of extraordinary events that occur in the universe and how can they affect us? Answers to these and other questions regarding dark matter and dark energy shall be explored using outstanding photos and video segments.
As a result of this lesson, the students will:
Discover the fundamental and intricate workings of the universe.
Classify objects in the universe based on their appearance.
Appreciate the beauty, danger and grandeur of the cosmos.