IPS EDUCATION COMMITTEE NEWS RELEASE

The IPS Education Committee is seeking input from members in all regionals. Specifically, we are interested in articles or ideas for the “Focus on Education” column which will appear in the Planetarian, lesson plans which can be put online, or for astronomy-related web sites.

The lesson plan project is a unique new venture which will include astronomy lessons that would occur either before, during, or after a planetarium visit. Guidelines are as follows, using a seven-element format.

Anticipatory Set (setting the stage)--attention-getter and focuser
Statement of Objectives--tell students what they'll be able to do as a result of the lesson
Instructional Input--lecture, but not necessarily lecture: demo, explanation, instructions
Modeling--demonstrate, show what you tell
Check for Understanding--watch faces, ask questions
Guided Practice--help students start practicing new skills, applying new knowledge
Independent Practice--turn them loose to work on their own, homework assignment, etc.

Also, the age level should be given for each lesson

Contributions can be sent to the following:

“Focus on Education” articles:
Ian McGregor
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens Park
Toronto, Ontario CANADA M5S 2C6.
E-mail: ianm@rom.on.ca

Lesson Plans:
Brock Shroeder
Strickler Planetarium
Olivet Nazarene University
One University Avenue
Bourbonnais, IL 60914 USA.
E-mail: bschroed@olivet.edu

Astronomy Web Sites:
Jon Elvert
Lane Education Service District Planetarium
2300 Leo Harris Parkway
Eugene, OR 97401 USA.
E-mail: jelvert@lane.k12.or.us

As member Jon Elvert has stated, “The IPS Education Committee should be a venue for sharing.” Let us share our resources in a spirit of international cooperation!

Gary E. Sampson, IPS Education Chair

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