Innovative Technologies to Encourage Interest in Space Science: Impact of Solar Eclipse Activities on Students

• In Event: Poster Session 19
  In Poster Session: Technology as an Agent of Change for Teaching and Learning SIG Poster Session

Abstract

Middle school students participating in a four-hour hands-on technology enriched space science camp showed significant (p < .05) pre-post gains in a) understanding topics related to heliophysics and solar eclipses, b) enthusiasm for learning about and witnessing a solar eclipse, and c) dispositions toward eclipses as a topic in space science. Content knowledge gain and enthusiasm gain emerged quickly, from pretest to posttest administrations. However disposition gains emerged only after students had returned to classrooms where their teachers discussed solar eclipse topics over subsequent days and weeks. Findings regarding content gain were replicated with a second group of middle school students attending a week-long science quest summer camp that included 1.5 days of solar eclipse, STEM innovation activities.

Authors

• Gerald A. Knezek, University of North Texas

• Rhonda R. Christensen, University of North Texas