Abstract: Professors and teachers are challenged with the difficult task of engaging and inspiring students with abstract astronomy concepts. This talk is intended to help transform teaching methods from simply lecturing to employing active learning strategies that engage, motivate, entertain and inspire students and attendees at public events.
Active learning can take many forms. Thought experiments can be used to trace the footsteps of Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton. Gamification has proven to be a powerful learning tool—games can be used to captivate students. Also consider quizzes, interactive workshops, hands-on workshops/lab exercises, debates and artistic exercises. Combining several of these active learning methods has a profound impact on learning outcomes and audience engagement.
This talk will present a case study using thought experiments and games to teach the topics of multiwavelength astronomy and the apparent size of astronomical objects. Other topics include: * Use analogies to teach more advanced topics such as vacuum decay, quantum tunneling, etc. * Leverage ChatGPT in university classrooms and for publishing (the speaker recently co-authored an astronomy book with ChatGPT) *STEM to STEAM * Significantly improve your public outreach efforts by utilizing unconventional venues such as local theatres, outdoor concert venues, bars ("Cosmos on Tap"), cruise ships and libraries.
Tom Vassos Author, "MULTIWAVELENGTH AND MULTI-MESSENGER ASTRONOMY" Instructor, Toronto Metropolitan University Founder, CosmologistsWithoutBorders.org
.jpg "Tom Vassos (he/him/his) photo")
