What Are Astronomers Doing?
Classroom Activities
Four activities help teachers and students in grades 6-12 understand how a research telescope works and how astronomers schedule time to use them.
AstroMadness
Introduces students to the website.
 Introduction
Problem Situations
Student Forms
Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for AstroMadness
National
Science Education Standards (NSES) for AstroMadness
AstroMadness Answer Key
Tic TAC
Introduces students to concept of how astronomers obtain observing time at a reseach telescope. The students become a Telescope Allocation Committee (TAC).
Introduction for the teacher
Introduction for the students
Sample proposals for students to evaluate
Student work sheets
Tic TAC Extension - Student writing activity
This extension asks students to write acceptance or rejection letters to the astronomers concerning their request for telescope time.
Grading rubric
Tic TAC Letters
Texas
Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for TIC TAC
National
Science Education Standards (NSES) for TIC TAC
Scavenger Hunt
A word game for students to play using the website for information.
Scavenger Hunt is the introductory puzzle and teacher answer key. Each of the following files is similar, but have different themes.
Astronomers puzzle 1
Astronomers puzzle 2
Astronomers puzzle 3
Instruments puzzle 1
Instruments puzzle 2
Instruments puzzle 3
Telescopes puzzle 1
Telescopes puzzle 2
Telescopes puzzle 3
Please try these in your classroom and send comments to Brad Armosky (bja@astro.as.utexas.edu). We would like to know how long an activity takes, what grade level you tried it with, and how much computer time you needed in order for students to perform the activities.
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