Wed 1st September 2021 @ 12:00 nn in 312.222 and online via Webex (meeting #: 1708 27 0571 and password: q5K2VTQKrV7)

Abstract:

As a first-time teacher, Robert went a bit off the beaten track in the delivery of AERO3000 Space Systems Design. In this talk Robert will give a brief overview of the techniques used and lessons learned delivering this unit in a hybrid format: with asynchronous digital lectures and in-person workshops. One of the interesting aspects in the delivery of this unit was the use of Jupyter deployed on a public cloud server to give the students one place for their learning material and the laboratory for exploring the design of spacecraft and space missions. More commonly used for exploring data for research, this free and open source software platform also allows educators to weave together text, equations, video content, interactive diagrams and open-ended coding opportunities into a seamless workbook for students to work through at their own pace. We’ll also briefly touch on how we used Teams to stay in touch, the feedback from students and a few lessons learned along the way, in case you’re thinking about applying some of these delivery methods in your teaching in the future.

Short bio:

Robert completed his PhD at Curtin University in 2019, designing the observatory hardware that powers the Desert Fireball Network (the world’s largest fireball camera network) and has enabled a global expansion in the form of the Global Fireball Observatory. He is currently responsible for Curtin’s half of the FireOPAL space domain awareness partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia and the Space Science and Technology Centre’s teaching in space systems engineering.