K-12 Professional Development Cosmic Questions
 

The Science Education Department of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics is very active in researching into and developing high quality professional development experiences for educators. This page is a portal to PD programs and resources developed by the SED and its education partners.

A Private UniverseA Private Universe and Minds of Our Own
Why donÝt even the brightest students truly grasp basic science concepts? A Private Universe is an award-winning program traces the problem through interviews with Harvard graduates and their professors, as well as with a bright ninth-grader who has some confused ideas about the orbits of the planets. Minds of Our Own picks up on the questions asked in Private Universe, showing that many of the things we assume about how children learn are simply not true.
  • See a video documentary on education research for grade 5-12 educators using A Private Universe
  • See a video documentary on education and learning for K-12 educators and parents using Minds of Our Own
  • Order A Private Universe and Minds of Our Own on DVD
Structure and Evolution of the UniverseBeyond the Solar System (Expanding the Universe in the Classroom)
Many new astronomy learners, students and adults alike, are unfamiliar with the universe beyond the solar system. The Beyond the Solar System Professional Development Project offers opportunities for deepening content knowledge and exploring strategies for teaching and learning about current scientific models and evidence for the origin and evolution of our universe of galaxies. Learn More...
AnnenbergAnnenberg Channel Professional Development Workshops
The Annenberg Channel is a free satellite channel for schools, colleges, libraries, public broadcasting stations, public access channels, and other non-commercial community agencies. The following workshops have been developed by the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in association with the Annenberg Channel. Learn More...
 SEDnet
SEDNet is a nationwide educational leadership program to introduce physical and space science curricula into schools. The SED works with a consortium of Challenger Learning Centers across the nation, offering workshops to elementary and middle school teachers. Learn More...
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Cosmic Questions is a museum exhibit that explores our place in space and time. It is currently at Boonshoft Museum of Discovery in Dayton, Ohio. Find out more...

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