In the course Astronomy 101: Exploring the Night Sky, instructor Travis Martin guides students to embark on an exploration of the universe, dedicated to fostering engagement across disciplines. Students feel engaged when they help create the exam questions as part of their assignments, and then write asynchronous midterms that respect academic integrity while allowing completion in an environment that is most comfortable to them (7.1, 7.3). Additionally, students experience hands-on learning in the Night Lab, immersing themselves in the wonders of astronomy (7.2).
In Martin’s bonus assignment, students choose how to showcase their newfound knowledge, be it through the math of orbits, a space mission review, or artistic expression (7.1). This autonomy optimizes individual engagement and authenticity. By providing a wealth of options and minimizing obstacles, this course ensures that every student’s interest is piqued, resulting in remarkable projects like poems weaving information learned in the course into love stories and well-researched, intricate animations portraying celestial marvels from a unique perspective. These practices captivate and empower students.
Travis Martin
Astronomy
