Computer Science – Learning
Scientific paper
Jan 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010aas...21546504e&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #215, #465.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.504
Computer Science
Learning
Scientific paper
Big Explosions and Strong Gravity (BESG) is an activity designed to allow girls to interact with actual astronomers. In this Girl Scout patch-earning event, girls spend a day exploring supernovae, black holes, the abundance of elements in the universe, and spectroscopy. The girls who participate in this event range from about 11 to 14 years old. Although all the activities are gender-neutral, we have chosen girls due to their underrepresentation in science. There is a general decline in interest in math and science that occurs at or after children reach this critical age. By targeting this age range, we hope to reach them early enough to have a positive effect.
BESG is a collaboration between Girl Scouts and scientists, and was originally set into motion using money from the Chandra X-ray Observatory E/PO program. It was originally run with the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and scientists in the Baltimore and Washington DC areas. Thanks to a NASA ROSES grant, we are now working to expand this program nationally. Already the program has been piloted in one other council, and others have been trained, either in person or through NASA Goddard's Distance Learning Network (DLN). During the pilot phase, we would like for it to be run in at least 5 new locations around the country. We are still seeking partners to make this happen. We can supply manuals, remote support through our experienced team, and through our NASA ROSES grant, may be able to help provide supplies for the first five Girl Scout/astronomer teams available to conduct BESG in 2009/early 2010.
Eyermann Sarah E.
Hornschemeier Ann
Shkolyar S.
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