Wednesday May 5 at 12:00 Noon ET/9:00 AM PT

On June 8, 2004, Venus crossed the Sun's disc for about seven hours, an event not seen since 1882. Nortel Networks Kidz Online and NASA’s Center for Distance Learning (in conjunction with Christopher Newport University) partnered to create and distribute online resources to support the education of students about this astronomical event. The archive of this live event is available to assist teachers and their students to continue to learn about the Transits of Venus and their next anticipated viewing in 2007.



Venus Transit News Release




Teacher Resources for the Venus Transit


    Background on the Venus Transit

      On June 8, 2004, Venus crossed the Sun's disc for about seven hours, an event not seen since 1882. Past Venus Transits have helped scientists measure the solar system, and specifically determine with accuracy the distance between the Earth and the Sun.


This archived webcast is a great place to start.

It was hosted by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and offers thorough and engaging information about the Venus Transit through various speakers, short videos and experiments. Runs about one hour.

http://planetquest1.jpl.nasa.gov/venus_transit.cfm



The Venus Transit: Determining the Scope of our Solar System
Subject: Science
Grade range: 9-12
Technology used: Internet, Word Processing, 2D Animation software (e.g. Macromedia Flash)

The Venus Transit: Historical Research and Timeline of Past Transits
Subject: Social Studies
Grade range: 6-8 Technology used: Internet, Word Processor and PowerPoint

The Venus Transit: Calculating the Astronomical Unit
Subject: Mathematics
Grade range: 9-12
Technology used: Internet, Word Processing, Draw software (e.g. Paint, or Photoshop)

The Venus Transit: Creating Legends
Subject: Language Arts
Grade range: 6-8
Technology used: Internet and Word Processor




Edmond Halley's Famous Admonition of 1716
http://www.dsellers.demon.co.uk/venus/ven_ch8.htm

Transit of Venus 2004 – June 8
http://www.transitofvenus.org

Transit of Venus 2004 – June 8
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/transit/venus0412.html

Archived Web Cast
http://planetquest1.jpl.nasa.gov/venus_transit.cfm

Chasing Venus Teacher Resource Page
http://www.sil.si.edu/exhibitions/chasing-venus/teachers

PlanetQuest - Venus Transit Lesson Plans for Teacher
http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/sunearthday/2004/vt_edu2004_venus_912.htm

NASA Connect
http://connect.larc.nasa.gov/programs/2003-2004/venus/index.html



More VT Teaching Ideas that Integrate Technology


Using 2D animation software (e.g. Flash) students can create a digital Venus Transit.

Script and record a digital audio radio program replicating the last Transit in 1882.

Interview scientists and astronomers about the Transit, create a digital video documentary.

Write a science fiction story surrounding the Transit of Venus. Use a Image / Draw program, like Photoshop, to illustrate the story.

Create a digital painting which reflects student reaction to the event.

Use 3D software to digitally create the solar system and the Transit.

NNKOL has resources to help learn the technology skills required for all of these ideas. Visit http://www.kidzonline.org/teachit



Download Teacher Guide for Venus Transit


Danny Spriggs, Deputy Director, U.S. Secret Service   [17:59 ]


Thomas Culligan, Executive VP of Business Development, Raytheon   [19:56 ]




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