1. Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching Sun and Moon Cycles in the Holy Land Dr. Taha Massalha Head of Excellence Students Program The Academic College for Education Haifa - Israel

2. The curriculum Astronomy with a Stick (AWS), developed by Sylvia Shugrue, appears on the NSTA Website. Moon and Sun cycles phenomena are compatible with the dominant religions in the Holy Land. The calendars of all religions depend upon moon and sun cycles. Israeli middle-school students, high School Students and college students explore sun and moon cycles and share Peace Posters as well. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

3. Measurement of time, according to the sun's position in the sky, is mentioned in the New Testament, Holy Bible and the Koran. Christians, Jews, Muslims and Druze determine their time of prayer according to the position of the sun in the sky. We will share our Sun and Moon Cycles projects with peace posters from all the multicultural sectors who live in the Holy Land. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

4. The following Study examines a teaching Strategy and its ability to affect the comprehension of Astronomical phenomena of: Middle School Students High School Students Teaching Trainees in Teacher-training Colleges. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

5. Many Researchers and Teachers state that the majority of youths and adults, does not properly understand the meaning of ASTRONOMICAL terms. They may even have wrong perceptions about the nature and the meaning of these daily astronomical phenomena Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

6. Objective of this Study a. To encourage multicultural dealing and discussions b. To encourage critical thinking and creativity c. To measure the changes of the sun’s elevation angle as it changes during day and year. Determining the time. d. To measure the changes in the length of the shortest shadows during the year. determining the SOLAR NOON. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

7. Why we chose astronomy? Our lives are affected by two astronomical cycles: The Daily, and the yearly cycles, Sunrise and sunset. The apparent motion of the sun in the heavens, The changing motion and length of shadows during the day. Taha Massalha – Encouraging Critical Thinking Through AWS Activities 714/05/2015 Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

8. Why we chose astronomy? By studying these daily phenomenon in a variety of ways, one can discover how the learner can build for himself a meaningful view of the world. Teachers and students find the terms of astronomy especially difficult to learn and to understand. This makes astronomy challenging for the teacher and the student. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

9. Study Objective To provides Activities for students which will clarify perception of daily astronomical phenomena. To diagnose the difficulties in understanding the daily astronomical phenomena. To provide solutions. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

10. The Main Questions: 1. Why the year 365 days? 12 Months? 2. What is the origin of days name? months name? 3. Did you notice the changes of Location and Direction of Sunrise and Sunset on the horizon? 4. When during the day is your shadow is the shortest, and how long is it? 5. During what month in the year your shadow is the shortest and in what is the longest? Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

11. Distribution of student’s answer about the sunrise locations Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

12. Observing and Measuring Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching Sunset (location and time) as measured by one of the students from Nazareth. The “ red sun ” stands for measurement from 12.9.2003 to 21.12.2003 (the sun appears to be moving south), the “ yellow sun ” stands for measurements from 17.1.2004 to 17.5.2004 (the sun appears to be moving north). Part of the students ’ measurement results as regards changes in the location of sunset

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16. Sample of Students Prediction of the Shortest Shadow Length During a Year Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching The Students Prediction vary from constant values (student 172 and student 160) to sharp change (Student 165 cm)

17. Observing and Measuring Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching Shadow length on April 16, 2006 in Israel latitude 32o 42' N, longitude 35o 18' E. Shadow Length Change s from 10:28 am to 1:50 pm. At solar noon (11:48 am) the Shadow Length is the shortest

18. Stage B: While-teaching and learning Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

19. Findings Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching These were our findings: 90% of the students succeeded in answering the questions. This result indicates there has been a change in the perception and comprehension of terms due to the learning process. All the students noted that the learning was significant for them. 10% felt they needed more time to assimilate and comprehend the phenomenon

20. Conclusions Changing the conceptions of Astronomy is difficult and complex. College students and middle school students have the same misconceptions. The clarification of the students misconceptions help to define the problems. The astronomy curriculum needs to be modified to accommodate students with a wide range of ability. Students of all cultures represented in this study shared the same misconceptions and the same attitude toward learning astronomy. Teaching astronomy requires an interdisciplinary approach. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching

21. Conclusions The clarification of the students misunderstanding of feasts and occasions of other cultures The clarification of the students misconceptions help to define the problems. Their pre-conceptions conflict with new conceptions. This causes frustration and motivation simultaneously. For better understanding, students begin to reflect and analyzes. Taha Massalha – Multicultural Astronomy Learning / Teaching