Scientists and teachers have worked together to produce teaching materials for the Very Small Radio Telescope (VSRT), an easy-to-use, low-cost apparatus that can be used in multiple laboratory experiments in high school and university physics and astronomy classes. In this article, we describe the motivation for the VSRT and several of the laboratory investigations that are being used in local high schools.

1.
David R.
Sokoloff
and
Ronald K.
Thornton
, “
Using interactive lecture demonstrations to create an active learning environment
,” in
The Changing Role of Physics Departments in Modern Universities
,
AIP Conference Proceedings
(
1997
), p.
1061
.
2.
Ronald K.
Thornton
and
David R.
Sokoloff
, “
Learning motion concepts using real-time microcomputer-based laboratory tools
,”
Am. J. Phys.
58
(
9
),
858
(
Sept. 1990
).
4.
Young's double-slit experiment: www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/light/U12L3a.cfm.
5.
John D.
Kraus
,
Radio Astronomy
, 2nd ed. (
Cygnus-Quasar Books
,
Powell, OH
,
1986
), Chap. 6.
AAPT members receive access to The Physics Teacher and the American Journal of Physics as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.