Strings and Things:
String Theory, Astronomy, and
the History of Science in the
Classroom
Steve Case
NSF North Mississippi GK-8 Fellow
University of Mississippi
NSGC Conference
January 2007
Outline of Talk
 Summary of GK8 Grant
 Challenges in science education
 Examples of GK8 science projects
I. The Grant
or
Who Are We and What Do We Do?
NSF North Mississippi GK8
Grant
 Funded by the National Science
Foundation
 Science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM)
 Oxford and Lafayette county middle
and elementary schools
 Develop projects for the two school
districts
Project Goals
 Integrate math and science in K-8 classrooms by
implementing projects based on Mississippi
Department of Education Frameworks and
National Standards.
 Incorporate the Mississippi River and Mississippi
River Basin in projects when appropriate.
 Include technology in the preparation and
presentation of our projects.
 Develop cross-curricular projects that apply
math and science in a variety of different
disciplines.
Project Goals (continued)
 Spark interest in Math, Science, Engineering, and
Technology.
 Utilize thematic learning as a teaching tool.
 Enhance educational practices used by local
teachers and graduate fellows creating better
teachers locally and within graduate programs.
 Develop strong and lasting partnerships with
fellows, students, schools, and the University.
 Providing a resource of tested projects available
for teachers.
Team Composition
 12 Graduate Student Fellows
 8 disciplines: Mathematics, Biology,
Geological Engineering, Chemistry,
Physics, Mechanical/Chemical
Engineering, Computer Science, and
Economics
 Elementary Team (K - 4th Grades)
 Middle School Team (5th – 8th Grades)
Project Procedure
Fellows assigned as project leaders
Peer Review
Liaison Review
Project presented to students
Teacher Review
Improvement suggestions by teacher
Project delivered and approved by project
manager
 Project posted to our website:
http://smartweed.olemiss.edu/nmgk8
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Outcomes
 Since June 2003, 314 project have
been requested.
 262 completed projects posted on the
internet
II. The Challenges
or
Where Have We Been, Where Are We Going,
and Why Should I Care?
Challenges to Engaging Students
 Disassociation between science and
“everything else”
 No perception of history and
development of science as a dynamic
narrative
 No perspective on the overall
contemporary scientific landscape,
opportunities, etc.
Symptoms of a Lack of
Engagement:
 Lack of interest
 What does this have to do with me?
 When am I ever going to use this?
 Why should I care?
 Lack of appreciation
 What’s the big deal?
 Why is it important?
 Lack of curiosity
How can GK8 Projects Help?
 Science and math presented thematically
and in framework of application
 Focus on concepts and critical thinking
leading to the equations and principles
 Present “story of the science”: people,
events, development of ideas behind
principles
 Surveys of current opportunities and
research areas in active fields
III. The Projects
or
Light Years, The Great Debate, and Jump
Rope Particles
Light Years and the Great Debate
 Eight grade science teacher wanted “something
about light years and galaxies”
 Historical perspective, cross-disciplinary, illustration
of narrative of science
 Frameworks covered:
 Math 2e: Multiply and divide numbers written in scientific
notation.
 Math 5a: Convert, perform basic operations, and solve word
problems using standard measurements.
 Science 7a: Explain the relationship between distance and
light-travel time (light year).
 Science 7c: Identify and describe the Milky Way as the
galaxy to which we belong.
 Science 7e: Identify and describe spiral nebulae as distant
galaxies.
Light Years: A Sense of Scope
 Speed of light
 Measurement brainstorming
 Distance to nearest star
 25,300,000,000,000 miles
 4.2 light years
 1 LY = 6 trillion miles = 9.5 trillion
kilometers
 Looking backward in time
The Great Debate: Our Place in
Space
 Held in Natural History Museum,
Washington D.C.
 April 26,1920
 Between astronomers Harlow Shapley
& H. D. Curtis
Spiral Nebulae:
What are They?
Shapley Õ
s Universe
1) Spiral nebulae are not galaxies.
2) Spiral nebulae are within or just outside our own
galaxy.
3) The sun is not the center of the galaxy.
4) The Milky Way galaxy is the entire universe!
CurtisÕ
s Universe
1) Spiral nebulae are other galaxies just like our own.
2) These galaxies are far distant from our own galaxy.
3) The sun is the center of our galaxy.
4) The universe is made of thousands and maybe millions of
galaxies!
It’s a String Thing
 Request from a seventh grade teacher to create
lesson around PBS miniseries “The Elegant
Universe”
 Theoretical physics, general survey of advanced
topics, presentation of contemporary issues in
science
 Frameworks covered:
 Math Framework 1a: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide
decimals in real-life situations with and without calculators.
 Math Standard 3c: Use standard units of measurement to solve
application problems.
 Science Framework 10c: Research one or more of the sources of
energy (nuclear, solar, wind, geothermal, hydro).
Survey of Contemporary Physics
Particle Jump-ropes
Summary
 We have hundreds of projects available
on the NSF NMGK-8 website.
 We recognize the challenges to
engaging students with science
activities.
 We think our projects can help.
The University of Mississippi
NSF
NMGK-8
North Mississippi
Grades K-8
http://smartweed.olemiss.edu/nmgk8