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astro300_f14:demoshandout [2014/09/16 00:04] (current)
a_lee created
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 +===== Demos =====
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 +  * Demo basics:
 +    * Demos are a great addition to a standard/​dry worksheet.
 +    * Sometimes they actually do help elucidate concepts and students like doing "​hands-on"​ experiments (this **is** a science class!).
 +    * As always, the EBRB is a great resource and has a page devoted to [[private:​ebrb:​demos|demos]].
 +    * In addition, on a given topic'​s page in the EBRB, there should be listed any relevant demos.
 +
 +  * What makes a good demo?
 +    * Illustrating difficult physical concept(s)
 +    * Interactive:​ students can participate
 +    * A springboard to new topics
 +    * Straightforward:​ minimal risk of failure
 +    * Demo actually illustrates concept in question
 +
 +  * When demos go wrong:
 +    * Demos **can and sometimes do** FAIL!
 +    * Sometimes, especially in astronomy, they can confuse students more than help them or oversimplify a concept.
 +    * Materials may be missing or broken, so CHECK IN ADVANCE!
 +
 +  * Some of our favorite demos:
 +    * Remind everyone that most are written up in the EBRB and on the Resources handout (and wiki page)
 +    - Arc lamps: Put high voltage through tubes of gas and look through diffraction gratings to see spectral lines. ​ On the EBRB [[private:​ebrb:​light_blackbodies_spectral_lines_and_the_doppler_effect|Light Blackbodies Spectral Lines and the Doppler Effect]] page, "under Line spectroscopy and arc lamp activities"​.
 +        * Head GSIs will train GSIs, Ask Ay375 instructors if you need help. 
 +        * Students like this one
 +        * Make sure the stuff is there if your section is early in the day.
 +        * Test it yourself and make sure you can see lines so you can help your students better.
 +    - Warping of Spacetime: A 2D analogy using stretchy black fabric and balls/​weights. ​ No worksheets exist in the EBRB for this one, but feel free to make one! 
 +    - Celestial sphere, phases of the moon, seasons, orbits: Styrofoam balls, a lamp or flashlight, people getting up and moving around. ​ Many worksheets go with these kinds of demos and can be found on the Demos page of the EBRB or on the Celestial Sphere, Gravity and Orbits, and Earth/​Moon/​Sun System pages of the EBRB.
 +         - Retrograde motion //(Discuss pitfalls)//
 +         - Day & night on Earth (circle up around a lamp and groups of 3)
 +         - Lunar phases (balls on a sticks around a lamp and groups of 3)
 +         - Seasons (circle up around a lamp)
 +         - Lunar rotation and orbit (//i.e.// tidal locking) (one person orbits another with the Moon's arms outstretched)
 +    - Parallax with your finger (very simple, “close one eye then the other” kind of thing)
 +    - Doppler shift of sound (whirling a buzzer on a string)
 +    - Class H-R diagram ​
 +    - Stating in words, stating in math, drawing, and acting out Kepler'​s and/or Newton'​s Laws (can be done with a worksheet, or just have students take notes as each group presents their law)
 +    - Donut/bagel on a string (though I'm sure profs will do it in class)
 +    - Jumping on a chair with balls being thrown (though I'm sure profs will do it in class)
 +    - (Rayleigh) Scattering of Light: Fill a fish tank with water and a couple drops of milk and shine a flashlight through it to show scattering of blue light and transmission of red light. On the EBRB [[private:​ebrb:​light_blackbodies_spectral_lines_and_the_doppler_effect|Light Blackbodies Spectral Lines and the Doppler Effect]] page there'​s a worksheet called "​Emission,​ Absorption, Scattering, and Nebulae"​ and one called "​Scattering Demo."
 +    - Planetary Nebulae (and Limb Brightening and Optical Depth): use a Hoberman sphere covered in Christmas lights to show how spherical radiating clouds can appear ring-like. ​ On the EBRB's [[private:​ebrb:​stellar_evolution|Stellar Evolution]] page, there'​s a worksheet called 'Limb Brightening:​ "​Hoberman Planetary Nebula"​ Demo.'
 +    * Physics has some, but it's kind of a pain to check them out, but some are good for section and some are good for full lecture.
 +