Stay in your classroom and visit McDonald Observatory in our new distance learning program. Our videoconference programs are interactive science learning experiences that take you and your students on a virtual field trip to the Davis Mountains of west Texas. Videoconferences are 50-minute, fully interactive connections between one class (or student club) of up to 35 students and your McDonald Observatory facilitator. Additional "view-only" connections are available for an additional fee. Versions for grades 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12 are available (recommended for IPC, Physics, or Astronomy classes).

The TEKS- and TAKS-aligned content of the video conference program includes a virtual tour of McDonald Observatory, a hands-on activity, unique science demonstrations, and live views of our star the Sun with telescopes equipped with special video cameras and solar filters.

Participating teachers receive an online pre-conference package, an introductory DVD, timeline, TEKS/TAKS linkages, suggestions for student behavior, suggestions for pre- and post-conference activities, and conference study guides. Teachers will be asked to complete an evaluation form following the videoconference.

Introduction to Videoconference This sheet includes a time line for the teacher to prepare for the videoconference. It also includes behavior expectations for the students.

Pre-Conference Student Assessment Please have each student complete the simple sun sheet. This sheet was developed by the "Eye on the Sky" program of Project FIRST. Although it was designed for lower grades, we have had success in using it with students of all ages.

Pre-Conference Activities This document suggests classroom activities and discussion that could take place before the videoconference. It will assist the students in organizing the questions they might ask during the conference. There are many more suggestions than most teachers may find time to use.

The student sheets are designed for the students to fill in during the videoconference. You will need to copy one for each student or group of students. In addition to the printed sheets, the instructor should have two meter sticks for use during the videoconference. At one point during the videoconference, two students will hold both meter sticks to show how large the telescope mirror is.

Post-Conference Suggestions

Students should complete the post-assessment sheet for comparision with their pre-assessment sheet (all grade levels).

With your pre-conference package were printed copies of StarDate/Universo Teacher Guide and the Beyond the Solar System Guide.

Post Conference Activities

These post-visit activities will help your students transfer their McDonald Observatory experience back to the classroom science curriculum. To foster this continuity, the first two pre-conference activities are related to the first two post-conference activities.

If you did not complete the suggested pre-conference activities, you can still enrich your students' learning experience by doing our suggested post-conference activities. These activities are designed to provide linkage between the videoconference and your classroom science program. The related TEKS and NSES are listed for each activity.

• Post-Conference Activity for grades K-5
• An expanded unit for grades 6-12 on reflection is recommended if you did not complete the suggested pre-conference reflection activity.
• An extensive activity about the Hobby-Eberly Telescope is designed for grades 9-12: Telescope technology.
• Post-Conference Activities for grades 6-12
  These activities were designed for students who visit McDonald Observatory, but should be transferable to students participating in a videoconference.
• Post-Conference Activity on generating questions and communicating results. This activity was designed for students who visit McDonald Observatory, but should be transferable to students participating in a videoconference.

Sun Resources

• Shadow Play for grades K-4
• Equatorial Sundial for grades 5-8 (and up)
• Reflective Solar Cooker for grades 5-8
• Sunspots for grades 9-12
• Colors of Stars. Compare the sun to other stars in this activity.
• Project SunSHINE - an award winning site with many links on studying the sun from Eastchester Middle School, Eastchester, NY.
• Activities from "Project FIRST: Eye on the Sky" for grades K-5.
• Stanford Solar Center includes links to materials for students, for educators, solar folklore, ancient observatories, and solar art & literature . Among their resources are teacher guides for grades 2-4 and 5 and up for various units. They also provide free (except for shipping expenses) posters and spectrometers.
• DVD on solar power (for grades 9-12). Site includes information on how teachers may obtain a free copy for classroom use.
• Solar cooking plans.
• National Energy Education Development, a website with suggestions for educators. Look for the "NEED Schools Going Solar Curriculum" guides for primary, elementary, intermediate, and secondary levels.
• Amazing Plasma from the Space Weather Center, supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation
• Blazing Sunspots, a high school level hands-on activity from the National Optical Astronomy Observatories.

Rates

Our rates are $100 per interactive 50-minute videoconference, or $60 for "view-only" classroom. A view-only classroom participates by watching the videoconference and completing the activity; however, they are not able to communicate with the facilitator.

Requesting a "LIVE...from McDonald Observatory" Videoconference

We are developing a method by which requests can be made online. Until then, please download our Reservation Form (PDF) , complete it, and email or fax it back to us. Our fax number is (432) 426-4150.

Donors

We gratefully acknowledge the American Electric Power, Amon G. Carter, F. B.
Doane, and Lowe Foundations; NASA IDEAS HST-Ed90282.01-A; and The Orion
Circle for their support in developing this program.