These web sites were written with several goals in mind.
First, they try to provide non-scientists with clear explanations and explicit answers about physics and astronomy, in particular in those areas that concern space. That has been my own field of work. Many web pages exist about such subjects, but they often leave the reader no wiser, and at times, more confused. Here you may find straight answers, and the material is self-contained, you need no prior knowledge.
Second, I tried to bring out interesting stories and connections, often from the history of science and of technology. Science has always been closely linked to culture and society, and the historical thread provides both continuity and human interest. For the non-scientist, especially those interested in space and its exploration, I have tried to open a window to a rich subculture with which society sees only dimly, often only getting a distorted view.
And for students who might be getting their first look at science, as well as their teachers, I have tried to provide fresh material on physics, astronomy and earth sciences, with new content and added interest. Most of it is written at the high school level, though parts can be taught in middle school and others would fit undergraduate college. It is an open ended resource and includes extensions, links and references for the few who wish to explore at a higher level.
I am a physicist, at the end of a long career in space research, but also familiar with the history of science and with many of the links between science, technology, culture and society (personal details at http://www.phy6.org/Education/wstern.html). I am well aware that most recent graduates from high school lack both the understanding of science and an interest in it. Reasons vary--e.g. rigid and formal curricula, lack of trained teachers, too much memorization, and too little new material--but whatever they might be, it seems high time to seek a more fruitful approach. |
Home Pages
If you are using these files from a CD please omit the leading part of the URL, given here as http://www.phy6.org . For instance, to access the file given right below, got to "open page" (not "open location"), select your disk and then select stargaze/Sintro.htm . These web sites also have an alternative site, with the leading part of the URL replaced by http://www.phy6.org. You can also replace the leading part with http://www.istp.gsfc.nasa.gov, which is an alternative name of the NASA computer on which the files reside. |
The URLs:
(1)
"From Stargazers to Starships", home page
http://www.phy6.org/stargaze/Sintro.htm The largest of the three, it covers elementary astronomy, Newtonian mechanics, the Sun and related physics and spaceflight. Also included are a Spanish translation, 42 lesson plans, a short but complete math course (algebra + trig), teachers' guides, glossary, timelines, questions by users and their answers, and more. The course is described in "Using Space to Teach Physics" in "The Physics Teacher", February 1999, p. 102.
Spanish home page: This site provides a non-mathematical introduction to the magnetism of the Earth, the Sun, the planets and their environments, following a historical thread. It includes a Spanish translation (a French one will soon be added), guidance to teachers (including a detailed outline for use in earth sciences class), glossary, Q&A etc.
Spanish home page:
Spanish home page:
In "Stargazers":
In "The Great Magnet":
In "Exploration of the Earth's Magnetosphere":
, If any of these is in your area of interest, please look it up. You may also copy the material the from compressed files which are provided. Comments and suggestions are welcome.
List of Specific Web PagesEach web collection may be used in one of two ways, as a single continuous course, or as individual modules and free-standing references. The list of web pages below is for those who prefer the second way and are interested in specific subjects. Each link is followed by a brief description of its contents. Even though it is only a partial list, it is quite long. Go ahead and explore, you may make unexpected discoveries! Spanish versions generally have similar names, but with a capital M replacing capital S as first letter; lesson plans start with letter L. Among the subjects covered:
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Author and Curator: Dr. David P. Stern
Mail to Dr.Stern: education("at" symbol)phy6.org
Co-author: Dr. Mauricio Peredo
Spanish translation by J. Méndez
Last updated 26 May 2001