Source
Community College Instructors Bring Astronomy Textbook Into 21st Century
Community college instructors collaborated with NASA Science Activation teams to integrate active learning components and NASA resources into the OpenStax Astronomy 101 textbook.
Why it matters
This update provides community college students with modern, interactive learning tools that can improve their understanding of astronomy compared to traditional textbooks.
The details
- The updated courseware will be field-tested in classrooms in Fall 2026.
- Five instructors enhanced the first five chapters of the OpenStax textbook.
- Modules incorporate resources from NASA Treks and Cosmic Data Stories.
Show entities and relationshipsHide entities and relationships
In this article
Organizations
Products
Technologies
Countries
Key connections
NASA funds NASA Science Activation Program
NASA supports the NASA Science Activation Program through cooperative agreement awards.
NASA Community College Network is a member of NASA Science Activation Program
NASA Community College Network is a project team within the NASA Science Activation Program portfolio.
SETI Institute leads NASA Community College Network
The SETI Institute leads the NASA Community College Network.
OpenStax owns OpenStax Astronomy 101
OpenStax publishes the OpenStax Astronomy 101 textbook.
NASA Science Activation Program owns Relevant Engaging Active Learning
NASA Science Activation Program project teams developed Relevant Engaging Active Learning courseware.
Arizona State University owns Infiniscope
Arizona State University leads the Infiniscope project.
Show 14 more connectionsShow fewer connections
NASA owns NASA Treks
NASA operates the NASA Treks planetary visualization portals.
NASA owns Universe of Learning
NASA supports the Universe of Learning astrophysics education project.
NASA owns Cosmic Data Stories
NASA supports the Cosmic Data Stories educational project.
Carver Bierson works at Scottsdale Community College
Carver Bierson is an instructor at Scottsdale Community College.
Dan Chase works at Modesto Community College
Dan Chase is an instructor at Modesto Community College.
Dennis Just works at Pima Community College
Dennis Just is an instructor at Pima Community College.
Steve Tuckey works at Jackson College
Steve Tuckey is an instructor at Jackson College.
Sally Watt works at Glendale Community College
Sally Watt is an instructor at Glendale Community College.
Relevant Engaging Active Learning is built with OpenStax Astronomy 101
Relevant Engaging Active Learning courseware incorporates content from the OpenStax Astronomy 101 textbook.
Relevant Engaging Active Learning uses NASA Treks
Relevant Engaging Active Learning courseware incorporates active learning modules from NASA Treks.
Relevant Engaging Active Learning uses Universe of Learning
Relevant Engaging Active Learning courseware incorporates materials from Universe of Learning.
Relevant Engaging Active Learning uses Cosmic Data Stories
Relevant Engaging Active Learning courseware incorporates materials from Cosmic Data Stories.
Relevant Engaging Active Learning uses Active Learning
Relevant Engaging Active Learning courseware applies active learning methodologies.
NASA Treks uses Data Visualization
NASA Treks uses data visualization technology for lunar and planetary mapping.
Related events
NASA SciAct Active Learning Astronomy Courseware Workshop
Get the weekly recap
The stories like this one, picked and explained — once a week, straight to your inbox.