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science teachers: check out our "Science, Technology & Human Values" focused basic global education course 

How much does your worldview correlate with a "Pro Science" one? Find out with this analysis program. 

Broadening Worldviewsfor Astronomy and Earth Science Teachers

New in 2022! Attention: Those who teach astronomy, physical science or earth science to non-science students.  What follows is especially for those interested in science but lacking a background in it, confused about what is science and what isn't, and the possibilities for someday extending the scientific conceptual framework / explaining difficult to explain phenomena...chapter 5 in our new book Choices We Make in the Global Village and the related discussion in chapter 8 Skepticism and Reverence with skeptical looks at things like astrology* 

from Table of Contents:     Chapter 5: Science: Sky, Earth, Life         pages 167-225 

Science—What is it?; Thinking Like a Scientist—My Personal Connection;
Non-Rational Knowing—My Personal Connection;
Science and Religion in Conflict; What is Life?;  

Discovering the Sky: 10 Basic Observational Exercises
Discovering the Earth; Living on Earth—as Human Technology Develops;
  Technology and a Big Beautiful Tomorrow?

*excerpt: Statement from author after spending time with the We’Moon 2020 Gaia Rhythms for Women astrological planner and calendar: “I too don’t like the ‘racist patriarchal society’ we live in and support ‘empowering women.’ But I’m saddened that what you bill as a ‘Handbook in Natural Cycles’ is not science-based. Science is what works, the silliness your handbook promotes does not work, and I fear you’re (choice #43) deceiving women into thinking this nonsense will empower them.
This chapter 5 is my effort to provide those interested in natural cycles with knowledge they can build on, and accordingly magnify their power.” 

Note: while celebrating science,  this book is by no means a put-down of "Non-Rational Knowing" (choice #10)

Other Resources of Interest: 

1) free online open source introductory astronomy textbook: Astronomy by Andrew Fraknoi, David Morrison, Sidney Wolff 

published in 2017 by non-profit OpenStax project at Rice University, 
this has been read by over one-half million students 

 

2) Classroom Activity: Making Observations (New Mexico Style) to Estimate the Size of the Earth, pdf file

by Stephen P. Cook, suitable for use in Earth Science or Astronomy classes  grades 7-12 
helps give a sense of how big the Earth is and how one’s eyes reveal this
can be adapted for use outside New Mexico for locations in the 31o to 36o N latitude range

note: The book,  The Measure of All Things by Northwestern University professor Ken Alder, provides some supplemental reading / background for teachers wanting to involve their students in  this activity. It tells the story of how 18th French astronomers made measurements to establish the meter--defined as one-ten millionth of the distance from the Earth's pole to its equator. It also provides an account of the history of the metric system and its adoption (or lack thereof) throughout the world.
It also provides a memorable quote:

 "To divide one's night between a beautiful woman and a clear sky, and then spend the day matching theory and observation--
that is my idea of heaven on Earth.                                       Napoleon Bonaparte 


3) Coming of Age Under the Night Sky: The Importance of Astronomy in Shaping Worldviews

pre-publication version of chapter published in Astronomy and Civilization in the New Enlightenment
based on talk given by Stephen P. Cook at 2009 International Year of Astronomy conference in Budapest

4) "How to Fall into the Night Sky Forever" by Adam Frank (listen to this four minute long NPR August 5 2013 story about the right way to get a sense of our place in the universe by viewing the night sky)

5) A Great Place for Astronomy & Earth Science Teachers: The Globe Museum in Vienna (report on Feb 2018 visit)

6) A New Resource for College Distance Education Astronomy Laboratory Exercises
by Nicole P. Vogt, Stephen P. Cook, Amy Smith Muise, 
The American Journal of Distance Education
vol. 27, #3 2013


it fully describes the lab activities found at astronomy.nmsu.edu/geas

* Note: To view pdf  files you need Adobe Reader (available as a free download from Abode).