From a noted specialist in astronomy education and outreach, this Brief provides an overview of the most influential discipline-based science education research literature now guiding contemporary astronomy teaching. In recent years, systematic studies of effective and efficient teaching strategies have provided a solid foundation for enhancing college-level students' learning in astronomy. Teaching astronomy and planetary science at the college-level was once best characterized as professor-centered, information-download lectures. Today, astronomy faculty are striving to drastically improve the learning environment by using innovative teaching approaches. Uniquely, the authors have organized this book around strands of commonly employed astronomy teaching strategies to help readers, professors, and scholars quickly access the most relevant work while, simultaneously, avoiding the highly specialized, technical vocabulary of constructivist educational pedagogies unfamiliar to most astronomy professors. For readers who are currently teaching astronomy at the college level-or those who plan on teaching at the college level in the future-this Brief provides an indispensable guide.

Glenn Chaple's lifelong interest in astronomy began when a high school friend showed him the planet Saturn through a backyard telescope. After receiving a BS Degree in Astronomy from the University of Massachusetts, he worked briefly as a planetarium lecturer before becoming a middle school science teacher. He has published articles in Deep Sky Magazine and the children's astronomy magazine Odyssey, and is the author of the book Exploring With a Telescope (1988.) A contributing editor to Astronomy Magazine, he shares his astronomical exploits in the monthly beginner's column Glenn Chaple's Observing Basics.

This volumes in the Greenwood Guides to the Universe series covers the current scientific understanding of the creation and evolution of the universe. Cosmology and the Evolution of the Universe provides readers with an up-to-date survey of the current scientific understanding of how the universe has evolved in the almost 14 billion years since the Big Bang. Scientifically sound and written with the student in mind, it is an excellent first step for students researching the science of cosmology and a resource for all who wish to know more about the evolution of the universe. Cosmology and the Evolution of the Universe discusses all areas of what is known about the subject. Topics include: the large-scale structure of the universe; the discovery and importance of cosmic microwave background radiation; and the forces and particles involved in the evolution of the universe. The book even tackles that most provocative of questions: How will the universe end? Thematic chapters enhance understanding of the broad concepts presented 66 illustrations make it easier for students to grasp the subjects discussed A glossary of scientific and astrology-related terms facilitates reading and understanding A bibliography of useful resources puts readers on the right track to learn more about the subjects discussed

Our knowledge of the universe has increased tremendously over the last century, and our discoveries are not over - there remain scientific mysteries that the next generation of astronomers and planetary scientists will need to solve. This volume in the "Greenwood Guides to the Universe" series covers the Sun, and provides readers with the most up-to-date understanding of the current state of scientific knowledge. Scientifically sound, but written with the student in mind, "The Sun" is an excellent first step for researching the exciting scientific discoveries of the star at the center of our solar system.

"The Sun" discusses all areas of research surrounding the subject, including: Sunspots and the solar surface; the many faces of the solar atmosphere; the solar wind and solar storms; and the long-term climate effects on the earth's atmosphere. The volume includes a glossary and a bibliography of useful resources for learning more about the subject.