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A novel approach to teaching astrophysics, including teams of students
solving science fiction mysteries, has led to the class exercises of
ANU lecturer Dr Paul Francis being used in twenty universities around
the world.
"Too many science students finish their education convinced that
astrophysics is all about rote learning obscure facts," Dr Francis
said. "I want to show them that science is more like a murder
mystery."
At the General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union today,
Dr Francis will present his very different way of teaching
astrophysics as part of a session bringing together the best astronomy
lecturers from around the world.
Too often, astrophysics classes consist of complicated equations
written on a blackboard, but this is not the case for Dr Francis'
students.
They are put to work in detective teams, trying to solve a baffling
science fiction mystery. In one exercise, the class is the crew of the
starship USS Drongo, which has crash-landed on the distant planet
Ziggy. They use their scientific skills, as well as some
computer-simulated telescopes, to work out where they are, and how to
get home.
In another class, they play the role of the medieval inhabitants of
the city Mog, which is in a far away land where the clouds have never
broken, and no one has seen the sky. As residents, they try to figure
out what is above the clouds (and avoid being burnt by the
inquisition).
"There are lots of perplexing clues and many red herrings. Somehow you
have to sort through all of the confusing and contradictory
information to find the precious nuggets of truth," Dr Francis said.
Dr Francis has carried out assessments of the effectiveness of his
exercises and provides details about their underlying theory online
(www.mso.anu.edu.au/~pfrancis/roleplay.html). They are used by a
number of international universities, particularly in the United
States.
"It is important to make students feel intelligent and that their own
ideas are important and valued, and these exercises do that from the
feedback I've received," Dr Francis said.
Dr Francis holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge, and has been
a lecturer in the Department of Physics at the ANU, as well as a
Fellow in the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics, since
1997.
His research interests include quasars, quasar surveys and their
cosmology, galaxy formation and novel and interactive teaching
techniques; he was awarded the ANU Vice-Chancellors Teaching Award in
2000.
Dr Francis will explain and illustrate his unique teaching method at
the IAU conference Teachers Day on Saturday, 26 July.
ANU MEDIA OFFICE CONTACT: Amanda Morgan (02) 6125 5575/0416 249 245
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