| In This Page : |
|---|
| Curriculum Module |
| Informal Education |
| Teacher Workshops |
| Public Outreach |
| E/PO Events |
| Related Links : |
|---|
| ESA Educational Support |
Education & Public Outreach (E/PO)
Curriculum Module
The "Unsolved Mysteries of Venus" curriculum is currently under testing. Contact us at planets@ssec.wisc.edu if you are interested.
The E/PO Team has developed a new series of the "Unsolved Mysteries of Venus" learning modules using actual Venus data and images. These Modules have undergone a preliminary evaluation as a component of a University of Wisconsin-Madison Science Education Graduate Seminar. Participating science educators will pilot the Venus Express modules in their classrooms during the upcoming school year. The science teachers were especially positive about the use of authentic Venus data from a current mission for classroom usage.
Informal Education
Resources permitting, the following activities are planned:
Small Museums Program
This program is developing additional new Venus themed materials and presentations for the interactive kiosks. Such interactive kiosks can be shared by small museums or libraries. Plans are currently underway to deploy the Venus Express Kiosk at the Space Expo in Noordwijk, Netherlands in cooperation with ESTEC/ESA in 2008.
Opportunities for Amateur Astronomers
Amateur astronomers have contributed much to the study of Venus and its atmosphere, the most significant contribution being the discovery of the 4-Day rotation of its atmosphere. With modern CCD cameras, amateurs can still contribute to the study of Venus and its atmosphere by observing its many aspects, including extension of the cusps, imaging in polarized light and in ultraviolet, imaging in near infrared region of the spectrum, and search for lightning.
We invite amateurs to contact the Venus coordinator
of the Association
of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) and submit their digital images
in FITS format to us. The header must include the date and time when the
image was taken, the filter used, location and the name of the observer.
We plan to create a web-based form shortly to submit the data via the
web. Please contact planets@ssec.wisc.edu for
more information
The Venus
Amateur Observing Project (VAOP) enables amateur astronomers to contribute
scientifically useful images and data to complement Venus Express spacecraft
observations. Participants include the Association
of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO) and the British
Astronomical Association (BAA).
JPL's Solar System Ambassadors and Associates
This program will incorporate Venus Express educational products into ongoing outreach activities.
Teacher Workshops
EuroPlaNets Conference
To be held September 18-22 2006 in Berlin, Germany, the conference will feature a one-day Venus teacher workshop. Presentations using new data and content developed by the ESA Education Office and the Venus E/PO team and training in the use of "Mysteries of Venus" modules will be included in the workshop.
38th Annual Meeting of the Division for Planetary Sciences
A workshop for teachers is being considered.
Public Outreach
This program includes a website for the U.S. Venus E/PO programs, featuring new Venus Express data, images, and animations shared by the ESA Public Communications Office. It also develops press releases and presentations for our Co-Investigators to support local and regional public lectures and media events.
