Playing to the Strengths of non-Major Students in Astro 101

Takashi Sato  Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Vancouver, Canada

Background & Struggle

Term Paper

Astro 101 is a generic label for introductory
survey courses for non-majors in University.

During a 13-week semester, each student develops a topic and writes a paper.
There are five main components to the process.

A common struggle for instructors of Astro 101
is working with, or around, the students’
deficiencies in science and mathematical
preparation.
Astro 101 can be taught as a watered down
(astro)physics course but can lead to
frustration of both instructor & students.
‡ Instructor sees student deficiencies
‡ student sees focus on math & physics
This poster describes an implementation of
Astro 101 where the paradigm has been
turned around to work with the strengths of the
non-major students, rather than focusing on
their deficiencies.
The term paper is illustrated in detail.

Student Strengths
Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) is an
undergraduate University outside Vancouver,
Canada
‡ All classes are limited to 35 students
‡ The typical Astro 101 student at KPU is an
arts or business major
‡ Astro 101 carries a 1st year number, but
‡ students can be in years 1, 2, 3 or 4 of
a 4 year degree
When students enter the Astro 101 class, they
typically bring with them skills and
experiences exceeding those of typical
science undergraduates, in areas such as
‡ paper writing
‡ active group learning
‡ public speaking
‡ group presentations

Part 0 – Plagiarism Awareness Tutorial
(due Week 5)
The University offers an online tutorial on
citation and what constitutes plagiarism.
Students:
‡ Take the tutorial and earn a digital “badge”
‡ Many have already done it
‡ Required before submitting
a proposal

Part 1 – Proposal
(due Week 5)
Each student submits a proposal
‡ “Free” choice of topic
‡ Encourages early start on paper
‡ Must include at least one reference
(i.e. students must first find literature)
‡ Requires instructor approval
‡ Often requires revision/resubmission

Part 3 – Abstract Booklet
Abstracts are:
‡ Submitted online
‡ Compiled into a booklet
‡ Distributed to all students

(due Week 10)
(Week 11)

Homework Assignment #12:
(due Week 12)
Abstracts are split into two groups.
For the first group:
‡ Read each abstract and
‡ Prepare at least one question to each author
(to be used during panel discussion)
Homework Assignment #13:
‡ Do same for second group

(due Week 13)

A common reason for non-approval is a topic
that is too broad & shallow.
Small class size means the instructor can
work with each student on developing a
reasonable proposal.
‡ Personalized topic reduces “copy & paste”
Part 2 – Paper (main body)
(due Week 10)
Papers are:
‡ 6~8 pages
‡ Requires 3+ sources

Part 4 – Panel Discussion (Weeks 12 & 13)
Students are called up in groups of ~4
Each panel:
‡ Ideally assembled from related topics
‡ Fields questions from the class or each other
‡ Lively debate is common
Panel discussion provides a forum for students
to share their new knowledge with the class,
transforming what might have been a solitary
exercise of paper writing into a culminating
community experience.

Business students are particularly skilled at
group presentations

Course Components
Group Presentations & Peer Feedback
Collaborative Group Assignments
Online Homework prior to class
Labs (weekly)
No Exams
Term Paper (this poster)
Total

20%
20%
10%
25%
0%
25%
100%

Discussion
The course described here is very different from
the traditional science course.
Astro 101 is perhaps the student’s last science
course:
‡ No requirement to prepare student for the next
astronomy course with specific content
‡ This freedom helps make departure from
traditional practice possible

Plagiarism – unintended improvement
‡ A widespread concern at Universities
‡ Reduced incidences of plagiarism on papers
‡ Possible reasons
‡ Instructor works with student on topic
‡ Topics are less generic
‡ Student has to appear on panel
‡ must actually know the topic
This format is made possible with small classes.

Contact
Takashi Sato
takashi.sato@kpu.ca
Dept. of Physics
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Richmond Campus
Canada

Scan to download poster, or go to www.kpu.ca/physics/sato/IAUWien

Presented at the XXXth General Assembly of the International Astronomical Union, Wien 2018/08/24-27 బ⸨ ᩗ