Teaching Guide: Oral Histories of Women Astronomers

NOV 15, 2019

Students will learn about the life and career of female astronomers through their own words.

AIP History

Dorrit Hoffleit AIP Emilio Segre Visual Archives, John Irwin Slide Collection

Students will learn about the life and career of female astronomers through their own words. They will trace the connections between astronomers, as well as the different circumstances and challenges women in science have faced over the years. They will apply this knowledge to a role-playing activity where they will try to explain the experiences and difficulties these women faced to the rest of the class.
Grade level(s): 9-12
Guide subjects: Astronomy, Contemporary, History
Minority Group(s): Women
In-class time: 65-100 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Technology Requirements: Student web access required, Audio required, Audio/Video required
Common Core Standards: Speaking & Listening, History/Social Studies

Downloads

Teaching Guide: Oral Histories of Women Astronomers Lesson Plan (.pdf) Teaching Guide: Oral Histories of Women Astronomers Discussion Questions (.pdf) Teaching Guide: Oral Histories of Women Astronomers Discussion Question Answer Key (.pdf) Astronomer Biographies (.pdf) Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin (.pdf) Dorrit Hoffleit (.pdf) Henrietta Hill Swope (.pdf) Jocelyn Bell Burnell (.pdf) Vera Rubin (.pdf) Teaching Guide: Oral Histories of Women Astronomers Original Documents ZIP Archive (.zip)