Private Universe Workshops

A nine-part workshop series for K-12 teachers of science

Edited recording of a live teleconference of science educators conducted in the spring of 1992. Following the release of "A Private Universe," which documented the persistence of misconceptions in astronomy, this interactive workshop was designed to expand the topic to other domains in science. Produced in collaboration with Massachusetts Corporation for Educational Telecommunications (MCET), the Annenberg Foundation, the National Science Foundation, Harvard University, and the Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory.

Program guide and supporting materials: (PDF)

Produced by:
Harvard College Observatory
& Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory
in partnership with MCET,
with support from Annenberg Learner (1998)

Workshop 1 - Eliciting Student Ideas
Workshop 2 - Why Are Some Ideas So Difficult?
Workshop 3 - Hands-on/Minds-on
Workshop 4 - House With No Foundation
Workshop 5 - Can We Believe Our Own Eyes?
Workshop 6 - Where Should We Start?
Workshop 7 - Taking a Risk
Workshop 8 - Finding Solutions That Work
Workshop 9 - Vision for the Future

Copyright (c) 1998
Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory