The Walking Classroom

Walk, Listen, and Learn

  • Sample educational podcasts!
  • Teacher Resources
  • Buy
  • Apply
  • Our
    Program
    • Program Overview
    • Implementation
    • Why It Works
    • Research Studies
    • The Walking Classroom Mobile App
    • Listen to Sample Podcasts!
    • Testimonials
    • Our Ambassadors
    • Science Career Series
    • Videos
  • What’s
    Happening
    • Bloggy stuff
    • Newsy stories
    • Resource-ish stuff
    • Your stories!
  • FAQs
  • About
    Us
    • About The Walking Classroom
    • Awards
    • Staff & Board
    • Financial Information
    • Supporters and Partners
    • The Walking Classroom Press Kit
    • Conferences
    • Contact Us
  • Donate

Blog, Resources

Meet the Scientist: Studying Space with Dr. Patrick Treuthardt

04.20.20
posted by Natalie Dekle

It’s April and that means it’s Global Astronomy Month, an event organized by Astronomers without Borders since 2010. In recognition of this celestial celebration, why not make a moment to meet an astronomer, and learn about what it is involved in studying the sky? Then, check out these resources and get fully engaged in space study!

In one of The Walking Classroom’s Science Career Series podcasts, you can hear from Dr. Patrick Treuthardt, Assistant Head of the Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Lab at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The podcast is easily accessible, either via our website or on WalkKits (4-#104, 5-#110, STEM-#46).

With a bachelor’s degree in physics with an option in astrophysics, and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in physics with astronomy, Dr. Treuthardt is an expert in celestial studies, that’s for sure! His main area of interest is the formation and structure of different galaxies, and he uses both data and modeling to help him.

Paving a Path to Studying the Sky

In the podcast, Dr. Treuthardt discusses his background and explains how his interest in astronomy developed.

As a youngster, he found science fascinating and enjoyed reading science fiction, comic books, and anything science-related. In fact, it was a family subscription to Discover that piqued his interest in several scientific fields, including paleontology, entomology, and astronomy!

Once he was in high school, he studied chemistry and physics. He loved the math in both, but especially in physics where math was used to describe things. Eventually he pursued astronomy, which he describes as “physics in space”!

Get Some Hands-On Help and Mix in Some Math!

As Dr. Treuthardt mentions in his podcast, astronomy is a science where there is no hands-on experience. Because we can’t just go out there and touch what it is that we are studying then, how can you bring it down to earth (pun intended) for your students? Fairly simply it turns out.

Your class can experience space just as Dr. Treuthardt does — by using data and models! Have your students experience black holes or build a galaxy of their own! Mix in some math as your class crafts a scale model of the solar system. As the planets’ diameters and their distance from one another involve some rather large numbers, it might be a good time to introduce some scientific notation!

Connect with Texts

Go beyond the basics by bringing in some books about space to enhance your study. There are plenty of texts, from picture books to poetry collections to support you in your efforts!

Pairing with Other Podcasts

There are a number of other podcasts perfect for your budding astronomers as well. From information on the features of space to biographies of those studying the skies or soaring through them, The Walking Classroom has got you covered!

  • Sun, Stars, and Galaxies (4-#78, STEM-#26, Complete-#144)
  • Galileo Galilei (5-#24, STEM-#5, Complete-#165)
  • Benjamin Banneker (5-#28, STEM-#7, Complete-#153)
  • Neil Armstrong (5-#82, Complete-#152)

Resources for Lesson Plans, Activities, and More!

And there’s far more out there (here on earth!) to help guide you in your celestial studies. You don’t have to look far to find resources from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and lesson plans from other teachers! You can even visit a virtual planetarium or check out some other online options.

What activities have been popular additions to your students’ study of celestial subjects? We’d love to know!

previous
next

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Walking Classroom Mobile App
App Advice: Navigating the Walking Classroom Podcasts App
January 15, 2021
Tags: podcasts, Walking Classroom app
What a Program!
January 13, 2021
Tags: exercise, hybrid learning, motivation, nature, podcasts
Podcast Pilot Stimulates Student Interest!
December 30, 2020
Tags: differentiate, podcasts, Quiz

Blog Topics

  • Blog
  • News
  • Resources
  • Stories
  • Walking Classroom App

GET OUR BLOG POSTS IN YOUR EMAIL

Share Your Story

share-your-storyWe want to hear your story and share it with others in our community.

Share your story!

Videos

video-iconSee The Walking Classroom in action and hear from some of the teachers using it.

Watch our videos!

sponsors_03

newsletter_03

Site Map

Guidstar gold status

The Walking Classroom Institute
1414 Raleigh Road, Suite 295
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

(919) 240-7877
info@thewalkingclassroom.org

Privacy Policy (Web)

Privacy Policy (Mobile App)

 

The Walking Classroom Institute is a 501(C)(3) Nonprofit Organization. © Copyright 2021, The Walking Classroom Institute. All rights reserved.