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Astro e-labs. Dr Sarah Roberts University of South Wales. Overview. What? Suite of online IBSE labs using existing applets and real astronomical data When? Funded from October 2013 – July 2014 Where? University of South Wales. Overview.
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Astro e-labs Dr Sarah Roberts University of South Wales
Overview • What? Suite of online IBSE labs using existing applets and real astronomical data • When? Funded from October 2013 – July 2014 • Where? University of South Wales
Overview • Why? Enhance learning experience of 1st year undergrad students in basic astronomy/astrophysics • Who? Freely available to all HEIs • How? Online via Blackboard/Moodle VLEs
Background • At USW: • Not ideal weather for “hands on” work… • No physics labs for experimental work • HEA review (2014) carried out by P. Roche identified need for engaging hands-on research projects for students
The labs • Will contain: • Pre/Post-investigation questionnaires • Evaluation form for feedback on labs • Astronomical data
The labs • Will contain: • Background information documents • Free software packages • Student and staff guidance documents • Online support tools for peer-to-peer and academic-peer discussion
Resources Project CLEA Faulkes robotic telescopes Astro-ex
Example lab - Open Clusters Colour images – get students asking questions Produce Hertzsprung-Russel (colour-magnitude) diagrams Identify “unusual” stars Search for variable stars (days-years) Link with Project CLEA software/NAAP HR diagram explorer
Other labs • Observational astronomy – coordinate systems • Solar system – the Sun, asteroids, impacts from space • Stars – stellar spectra, star clusters • Galaxies – the MW at radio wavelengths, active galaxies • Extra-solar planets
Summary • Lack of physics/astronomy labs on site • Unique facilities access • Expertise in IBSE OER development • Combine to create e-labs – simulated and real data • Students engaging with research at all levels • Freely available to all HEIs