Scroll down to learn about the programs we offer:
- Astronomy
- Weather and Climate
- The Science of Climbing
- Geology
- The Art and Science of Being a Good Observer and the Scientific Process
Astronomy
Kinesthetic Astronomy lessons, co-developed by Mike Zawaski and Cherilynn Morrow, teach basic astronomical concepts through choreographed bodily movements and positions that provide educational sensory experiences.
The lessons are science-rich and fun. They are intended for sixth graders up through adult learners in both formal and informal educational settings. They emphasize astronomical concepts and phenomenon that people can readily encounter in their “everyday” lives such as time, seasons, and sky motions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets.
All lessons are fully aligned with national science education standards, both in content and instructional practice. Our lessons offer a complete learning cycle with written assessment opportunities embedded throughout the lesson.
Original funding for Kinesthetic Astronomy was provided by a NASA IDEAS grant.
To find out more, visit"Kinesthetic Astronomy" on Facebook or you can download an earlier version of the Sky Time lesson at the Space Science Institute website. Watch our 17 minute video for teachers by Clicking Here.
The lessons are science-rich and fun. They are intended for sixth graders up through adult learners in both formal and informal educational settings. They emphasize astronomical concepts and phenomenon that people can readily encounter in their “everyday” lives such as time, seasons, and sky motions of the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets.
All lessons are fully aligned with national science education standards, both in content and instructional practice. Our lessons offer a complete learning cycle with written assessment opportunities embedded throughout the lesson.
Original funding for Kinesthetic Astronomy was provided by a NASA IDEAS grant.
To find out more, visit"Kinesthetic Astronomy" on Facebook or you can download an earlier version of the Sky Time lesson at the Space Science Institute website. Watch our 17 minute video for teachers by Clicking Here.
Astronomy Courses for Educators and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Mike teaching Kinesthetic Astronomy at the Teton Science School. Photo- S. Wolff.
Get ready to move! Our workshops emphasize astronomical concepts and phenomena that people can encounter in their "everyday" lives. We use Kinesthetic Astronomy and other methods that allow the learner to make discoveries for themselves. Our methods are fun, effective, and science rich.
Workshops very from 1 hour to 1 week in length. College credit is usually available.
We offer classes for teacher workshops, science centers, outdoor educators, public events, private parties, and school groups.
Common workshop objectives:
Workshops very from 1 hour to 1 week in length. College credit is usually available.
We offer classes for teacher workshops, science centers, outdoor educators, public events, private parties, and school groups.
Common workshop objectives:
- Understand the basic scale and structure of our observable Universe.
- Learn the real reason behind why Earth has seasons and why we see different phases of the Moon.
- Understand the observable motions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars.
- Discover how astronomy was used by ancient cultures.
- Learn how to use a planisphere to find the constellations.
- Observe and develop effective techniques for teaching astronomy and sky watching to learners of different ages.
6-8 June: Kinesthetic Astronomy- $25 + Optional 2 Gradate Credits ~$45
Location: South Dakota Discovery Center, Pierre, SD.
Click Here to Sign up
Agenda: 6 June: 7-10pm, 7 June: 9am-4pm and 7-10pm, 8 June 8-11am.
Description: (See above)
Click Here to Sign up
Agenda: 6 June: 7-10pm, 7 June: 9am-4pm and 7-10pm, 8 June 8-11am.
Description: (See above)
10-11 June: Understanding the Motions of the Sky and the Astronomy of Ancient Cultures- $135 (Includes tuition and 1 Graduate credit)
Location: Western State College Summer Teacher Institute, Gunnison, CO. Click Here to Sign up
Agenda: 8am-10pm both days. Includes long lunch and dinner breaks.
Description: Understanding how past cultures used astronomy means understanding the sky motions of the sun, moon, planets, stars, and why seasons occur. Be ready to move as we use inquiry based, Kinesthetic Astronomy and other techniques to model the motions of the sky to give you the background to understand the wealth of cultural astronomy sites in the Four Corners region. Course includes two nights of sky watching. Teaching materials provided.
Agenda: 8am-10pm both days. Includes long lunch and dinner breaks.
Description: Understanding how past cultures used astronomy means understanding the sky motions of the sun, moon, planets, stars, and why seasons occur. Be ready to move as we use inquiry based, Kinesthetic Astronomy and other techniques to model the motions of the sky to give you the background to understand the wealth of cultural astronomy sites in the Four Corners region. Course includes two nights of sky watching. Teaching materials provided.
17-18 June: Astronomy for Educators- $105 + Optional 1 TE Graduate Credit $50.
Location: The Colorado
Mountain Club (American Mountaineering Center), Golden, CO Click Here to Sign up
Agenda: 8am-5pm both days. Night sky viewing session: 8:30-10:30pm Night 1.
Description: Get ready to move! Immerse yourself in the study of astronomy and the practice of sky watching with inquiry-based lessons (including Kinesthetic Astronomy) and evening sky watching. Content includes sky motions of the Sun, planets, stars; seasons; phases of the Moon. Teaching materials will be provided.
Agenda: 8am-5pm both days. Night sky viewing session: 8:30-10:30pm Night 1.
Description: Get ready to move! Immerse yourself in the study of astronomy and the practice of sky watching with inquiry-based lessons (including Kinesthetic Astronomy) and evening sky watching. Content includes sky motions of the Sun, planets, stars; seasons; phases of the Moon. Teaching materials will be provided.
Click Here to contact us about hosting a class or creating a custom workshop.
Weather and Climate
Everyone talks about the weather, but most people are not sure why it occurs. Learn the basic concepts necessary to explain the weather and climate through a series of simple, yet very effective demonstrations and models.
The Science of Climbing
Experience the connections between rock climbing and physical concepts such as friction, force, and motion on the innovative, hands-on equipment used by the Colorado Mountain Club's Youth Education Program. Learn basic knots, belaying, and climbing skills at local climbing areas and explore how these rocks fit into Colorado's geologic history. Additional topics include building climbing anchors and rescue systems using pulleys to teach physical concepts plus using climbing as a wonderful metaphor for personal growth and group dynamics.
Geology
Glacial carved valley in Rocky Mountain N.P, CO
How do we know that Earth is old and what skills do you need to conclude that our planet has been around for a very, very long time. Studying geology is an amazing opportunity for anyone to inquire about the events of the past through studying the present. Through a series of activities, you will learn the necessary tools to ask more questions, as well as start to formulate logical conclusions based on the evidence you see.
See the Teacher's Rock page for a listing of summer workshops for teachers.
See the Teacher's Rock page for a listing of summer workshops for teachers.
The Art and Science of Being a Good Observer and the Scientific Process
Faulted rocks outside Arches N.P., Utah. Photo: M. Zawaski
Being a good observer is essential in science and our everyday lives. Doing good science also requires understanding the difference between observations and interpretations, and between correlation and causation. Join us for an engaging workshop to explore the skill of making observations and then making sense of them. We take an Earth Science perspective, but any teacher or person will benefit from the concepts. We also explore the logistics and time frames necessary to use the natural world as a laboratory for inquiry based experiments.
What's going on in the photos below? Click on the photo to see what's happening.
