
Episode 24 of S4theB! finds me gleefully digging through our audio archives of interactive videoconferences from the long-running VIADyer program. Hear Q and A sessions from two of these stellar sessions, featuring VU astronomers Bob O'Dell and Arnie Heiser!
It's true, ya'll: The kids are engaged and learning takes place each and every time a dedicated scientist, one concerned with the future of our world at the hands of its citizens-to-be, holds a conversation with a classroom full of kids. The kids can be Middle Schoolers in New Jersey, High Schoolers in Texas, or elementary school kids in rural Tennessee. As long as they gather together to spend a half-hour or so with a brilliant research scientist, learning will transpire and good questions will be asked and answered. Even when the questions might not seem so "good," a seasoned educator/scientist can turn a question asked for the sake of asking a question into a teachable moment from which everyone gains. Listen up
here.
Bob O'dell was leader of the team that initially designed and set the course for the Hubble Space Telescope project. And
Arnie Heiser, Professor Emeritus (that means retired--though great men never really retire, don'tcha know) is a leader in the field of the birth of stars and their life cycles. Both men regularly donate their time to interact with students in K12 via "VIADyer," (
Virtual Interactions with Astronomers at Dyer Observatory).
The videoconferences themselves really must be seen to be appreciated. Any school anywhere in the world with a dedicated videoconference unit and an IP or ISDN connection may participate in the programs offered by the Center for Science Outreach by visiting
our signup webpage and following the directions to schedule a free program.
More information on Interactive Videoconferencing may be found at the
CSO site's link pages.
Music for today's podcasts provided by the
Podsafe Music Network and an amazingly talented 15 year-old Dutch guitarist named
Rory. Thanks, Rory, and keep 'em
Rockin' in Rodderdam!
Cheerio!
# posted by Scott Merrick @ 2/06/2006 02:59:00 PM
