Astronomy Outreach using Python

Astronomy Outreach using Python

Marc Berthoud, Vivian Hoette

Yerkes Observatory

Marc Berthoud, Vivian Hoette

Yerkes Observatory

OutlineOutline

Why teach programming Why use python The Yerkes python K-12 activities Experience with teachers and students Results Future development

Why teach programming Why use python The Yerkes python K-12 activities Experience with teachers and students Results Future development

Why teach ProgrammingWhy teach Programming

It's FUN Programming teaches essential science and

engineering skills: Project design and management Analysis and problem solving Math, Physics, Computer Skills

You can illustrate (simulate) natural processes in great detail for science education.

Is NOT "a program": It is PROGRAMING ! You can create your own program that does anything you want it to.

It's FUN Programming teaches essential science and

engineering skills: Project design and management Analysis and problem solving Math, Physics, Computer Skills

You can illustrate (simulate) natural processes in great detail for science education.

Is NOT "a program": It is PROGRAMING ! You can create your own program that does anything you want it to.

Is a high level programming language Has simple syntax and is easy to learn Is open-source, has a wide user base (Among the

top 5 programming languages worldwide) Is being used for Science (StSci, ISAC), Engineering

(Honywell), Web Application (Moin Wiki), Business (Rackspace), Entertainment (Industrial Light & Magic)

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Linux, iPod, PalmOS, Playstation

Has extensions for: graphs, plots, image and sound manipulation, scientific computation, internet access (facebook), accessing hardware . . .

Is a high level programming language Has simple syntax and is easy to learn Is open-source, has a wide user base (Among the

top 5 programming languages worldwide) Is being used for Science (StSci, ISAC), Engineering

(Honywell), Web Application (Moin Wiki), Business (Rackspace), Entertainment (Industrial Light & Magic)

Runs on: Windows, Mac, Linux, iPod, PalmOS, Playstation

Has extensions for: graphs, plots, image and sound manipulation, scientific computation, internet access (facebook), accessing hardware . . .

Why use PythonWhy use Python Python is a simple but powerful and flexible

language It is easy-to-use and has all the features and

constructs of other advanced languages (C++, Java). Learning python IS learning a new language. But this

language is LOGICAL and SIMPLE (You can start after learning ~10 words and ~5 rules)

It's like learning Dutch, not Chinese: you know the alphabet, much of the grammar and the most important words (Python is more widely spoken than Dutch ).

Python is FREE and platform independent: your students can download it at home.

Python is a simple but powerful and flexible language

It is easy-to-use and has all the features and constructs of other advanced languages (C++, Java). Learning python IS learning a new language. But this

language is LOGICAL and SIMPLE (You can start after learning ~10 words and ~5 rules)

It's like learning Dutch, not Chinese: you know the alphabet, much of the grammar and the most important words (Python is more widely spoken than Dutch ).

Python is FREE and platform independent: your students can download it at home.

Python Examples:Python Examples:

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Diffraction Pattern

The Yerkes Python TWikiThe Yerkes Python TWiki

http://bussard.yerkes.uchicago.edu/Outreach/ActivityPython

Sample Activities: Ball and GasSample Activities: Ball and Gas

Past Yerkes ActivitesPast Yerkes Activites

YAAYS: Development of activities with

Yaays teachers Teach programming to 5-8th

graders from Milton and Delevan at George Williams

Python session organized by Dawn Sammons at her school

Yerkes - SOFIA Several sessions at Yerkes with

local students Activities are short, intensive

(not a comprehensive programming class)

YAAYS: Development of activities with

Yaays teachers Teach programming to 5-8th

graders from Milton and Delevan at George Williams

Python session organized by Dawn Sammons at her school

Yerkes - SOFIA Several sessions at Yerkes with

local students Activities are short, intensive

(not a comprehensive programming class)

Feedback / FindingsFeedback / Findings

Feedback: “This is Cool!” Programming is very frustrating and also rewarding Teachers and Students learned a lot

Variables for 5th graders It’s a bit like Magic (it doesn’t always work)

It’s a very HANDS-ON activity Students experiment, help each other, find their own ways Connect learned theory with something real to play with

Emphasize basic concepts: The computer is stupid and does PRECISELY what it is told Every quote and dot counts

Print out instructions (avoids Ctrl-C Ctrl-V) Instructor preparation is crucial: not only going through the

material but also testing the installations

Feedback: “This is Cool!” Programming is very frustrating and also rewarding Teachers and Students learned a lot

Variables for 5th graders It’s a bit like Magic (it doesn’t always work)

It’s a very HANDS-ON activity Students experiment, help each other, find their own ways Connect learned theory with something real to play with

Emphasize basic concepts: The computer is stupid and does PRECISELY what it is told Every quote and dot counts

Print out instructions (avoids Ctrl-C Ctrl-V) Instructor preparation is crucial: not only going through the

material but also testing the installations

Next StepsNext Steps

Make our activities accessible to more teachers

Improve teacher instructions and support Expand and improve our activities Provide continuous support for these

activities at Yerkes Investigate integration of programming in

regular classroom activities

Make our activities accessible to more teachers

Improve teacher instructions and support Expand and improve our activities Provide continuous support for these

activities at Yerkes Investigate integration of programming in

regular classroom activities

Ideas for Future ActivitiesIdeas for Future Activities Astronomy: HR diagram, Impact Cratering

Simulation, Image cleaning and presentation Computer Science: web programming, object

oriented programming, image manipulation Simulations: optics, mechanical systems,

electronic circuit, traffic patterns Math: fractals, sequences, numbers and

algorithms Data analysis: astronomical images, time

series and statistics, model fitting, Earth surface data

Chemistry / Biology: simulate chemical reactions, game of life

Astronomy: HR diagram, Impact Cratering Simulation, Image cleaning and presentation

Computer Science: web programming, object oriented programming, image manipulation

Simulations: optics, mechanical systems, electronic circuit, traffic patterns

Math: fractals, sequences, numbers and algorithms

Data analysis: astronomical images, time series and statistics, model fitting, Earth surface data

Chemistry / Biology: simulate chemical reactions, game of life