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Discover the Universe – From Galileo to Today |
This Web Seminar took place on January 20, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Presenting was Dr. Natalie Batalha, professor of astronomy and physics at San Jose State University where she conducts research on extrasolar planet detection and stellar astrophysics. She is a co-Investigator for NASA's Kepler Mission. Dr Batalha talked about the history of Astronomy focusing on Kepler, the scientist, and the current NASA mission, named in his honor, to search for planets in the inhabitable zones around stars.
This is the second, of two, Web Seminars scheduled as a follow-up to the Discover
the Universe – From Galileo to Today Symposium that took place at the NSTA
Area Conference on Science Education in Cincinnati, OH. In this program, Dr. Batalha
presented historical information about Galileo and Kepler in relationship to the
International Year of Astronomy. She also gave a thorough description of the new
telescope being launched this year to search for planets in the inhabitable zones
around stars.
Seventy-one (71) participants were present at the live Web Seminar in addition to
the presenter and NSTA staff. Participating educators represented the states of
Alaska Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,
Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. One participant joined from the
country of Guatemala. Seminar participants received a one year subscription to one
of NSTA’s SciGuides for completing the evaluation form at the end of the program.
Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:
- “I work for a Planetarium, so it is helpful to know about the observers who made some of the discoveries that I talk to the public about.”
- “I am an IYA student ambassador in Ohio, so I hope to give some presentations that will include some of this information.”
- “Teaching about the solar system presents some historic and current day perspective.”
- “I can use many of the ideas in the chat...I would like to use some of the information on the Laws of Planetary Motion.”
Thanks to the participants and the presenter for the learning opportunity, the interactions, and a job well done!
Websites
For more information contact webseminars@nsta.org
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Underwritten in part by NASA |