Preliminary Findings on the Impact of Observing Variable Stars on Middle School Students' Beliefs and Attitudes**(Abstract)

Volume 34 number 2 (2006)

Pebble Richwine

James R. Bedient

Timothy Slater

Abstract

(Abstract only) In Spring 2005, middle school students in the desert Southwest used the curriculum packet “In the Hunt for Variable Stars.” Preliminary results are contributing to a larger study of how authentic research impacts students’ beliefs and attitudes toward the nature of science. The paper provides initial and post-program data from surveys, class observations, and interviews. Students concentrated their studies on the Right Ascension 19h 45m using StarDial data available online.