Bob Martin writes about the Magdelena Ridge Observatory at New Mexico tech and highlights its work with middle school and high school students. He explores this great place through the eyes of its director, Eileen Ryan, who is also an astronomer. Through the article Martin underscores the enthusiasm that Ryan has for reaching school-aged children.
Magdalena Ridge Observatory is getting kids excited about math and computer science.
Eileen Ryan readily acknowledges the challenge many teachers have in generating student interest in developing math and computer skills that are vital to their futures. Her program, which has students track comets and asteroids, is purposed to create that interest. By seeing how these skills are applied in the working world, students may have a greater appreciation for those skills.
Ryan spends two weeks each year showing mid and high school teachers how to use the observatory’s giant 2.4 meter telescope to track comets and asteroids and see if they are a threat to earth.
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- Teachers are trying to make math fun by making it real.
- Students were asked to apply math to problems involving a comet on a crash course for Earth.
- Teachers hope these creative lessons will inspire a passion for math in their students.
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