Daytime Astronomy Simulation Development Project

Objective: To develop Macintosh software to complement an existing fifth grade science unit, Daytime Astronomy, which examines the relationship between the Earth and Sun. The software is designed to be used the way scientists use simulations - to model events that cannot be done experimentally.

Approach: We have created a Macintosh-based computer simulation to be used with an existing inquiry-based hands-on science kit called Daytime Astronomy. While using the science kit, students collect data about the length and directions of shadows from the Sun as seen in their town, and discuss what information about the Sun and the Earth the data tells them. The simulation is a model of the shadow boards that the students use to collect data. With this model, students can collect data from different locations on the Earth and on different days of the year to investigate questions arising from their experiments. For example, how are the shadow patterns in Mexico City different from those in Pasadena? Why are they different?

To use the simulation, the student selects a day of the year and location on the Earth to collect data. A location is selected by clicking in a window with a picture of the globe, by typing in a name of a city or country, or by typing in map coordinates. A day is selected by clicking in a calendar window or by positioning a picture of the Earth at a point in its orbit around the Sun in a window displaying the year-long orbit of the Earth. The student then clicks a button to run the simulation, and two windows demonstrate the motion of the Sun. One window is a model of the board that the students use in their experiments to collect shadow data, and the other draws a picture of arc of the Sun as it would appear to an observer's eyes on the day and in the location selected. When the simulation has run, the data can be displayed on the screen in three ways. The first is the shadow board window with a series of lines indicating the shadow lengths, the second is the window with a two-dimensional representation of the Sun's arc across the sky, and the third is a three dimensional representation of the Sun's arc across a sky.

Accomplishments:

Significance: The software effectively demonstrates the significance and pedagogy of using models to explain natural phenomena. This simulation is a valuable use of the computer as a learning tool. Students have the opportunity to collect and investigate data that would not otherwise be available to them because of time, travel, and cost constraints.

Status/Plans: During the 94-95 school year, six fifth grade teachers will use the simulation during the Daytime Astronomy science unit, and throughout the year. The teachers will meet during the year to refine the simulation based on their classroom experiences. After further development and refinement, the software will be distributed to all teachers with the Daytime Astronomy unit.

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curator: Larry Picha