Third graders enjoyed a visiting lecturer recently to supplement their ongoing study of the universe. Matthew Goodson, son-in-law of Vicki Simms, Whitefield third-grade teacher, shared with the students via Skype and the classroom SmartBoard. Goodson is an astrophysicist and researcher who also teaches freshmen astronomy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Goodson shared about his fascination with stars and why he became a scientist. He also spoke about the nebula, what gases make up the sun, the planets, and the discovery that Jupiter’s center is probably made of rock.
“The children have been studying space, specifically the sun, moon, earth, and stars, so Skyping with Mr. Goodson was a perfect addition to our studies," said Simms. "Children engage more when we share personal, real-life connections with them, and he has up-to-date information to share."
Goodson studies star formation using computer models. Students jotted down questions about space and enjoyed a lively discussion with the scientist. Some of the questions posed by the students were: How long does it take to get to the moon? Is Pluto a planet? What is the nearest planet to the moon? Is Jupiter made of gases?
As follow-up Goodson plans to send the students pictures of various planets taken by a Chilean telescope he is able to access. The Skype session was part of a hands-on unit exploring the universe. Next, the students will explore the stars for themselves at an event called Stars and S'mores.
“Every year in January we have an on campus "field trip" at the lower practice fields,” said Simms. “Astronomers bring huge telescopes from Elachee Nature Center and we view the constellations, the moon, and usually Jupiter. The astronomers discuss topics such as revolution, rotation, moon phases, the sun’s power, and eclipses.”
Goodson shared about his fascination with stars and why he became a scientist. He also spoke about the nebula, what gases make up the sun, the planets, and the discovery that Jupiter’s center is probably made of rock.
“The children have been studying space, specifically the sun, moon, earth, and stars, so Skyping with Mr. Goodson was a perfect addition to our studies," said Simms. "Children engage more when we share personal, real-life connections with them, and he has up-to-date information to share."
Goodson studies star formation using computer models. Students jotted down questions about space and enjoyed a lively discussion with the scientist. Some of the questions posed by the students were: How long does it take to get to the moon? Is Pluto a planet? What is the nearest planet to the moon? Is Jupiter made of gases?
As follow-up Goodson plans to send the students pictures of various planets taken by a Chilean telescope he is able to access. The Skype session was part of a hands-on unit exploring the universe. Next, the students will explore the stars for themselves at an event called Stars and S'mores.
“Every year in January we have an on campus "field trip" at the lower practice fields,” said Simms. “Astronomers bring huge telescopes from Elachee Nature Center and we view the constellations, the moon, and usually Jupiter. The astronomers discuss topics such as revolution, rotation, moon phases, the sun’s power, and eclipses.”