Book excerpt: The Universe in Your Hands Project STAR (Science Teaching through its Astronomical Roots) is an astronomy course that also teaches real-world math and physics. Project STAR capitalizes on students' inherent interest in the limitless universe that surrounds them. This second edition uses a new approach that is consistent with the philosophy of the authors: students learn science better by making measurements and observations than by memorizing "facts." Each chapter begins with questions to test preheld views on certain subjects. Students then use measurements and observations to explore the models in the chapters. Questions are sprinkled throughout the book to test understanding along with cartoons to leaven the learning with humor. Hands-on activities play an essential role in this 1-year course. In completing these hands-on activities, students will: make observations of the skies build models use models to explain observations and make predictions find everyday applications for such models The Student Text for Project STAR, Second Edition includes updated information, is easier to use and visually more appealing. The material is laid out with new illustrations for greater clarity and understanding. A color plate section supports activities and text related to the study of spectra. A reference section has also been added. It lists astronomy resources on the web. The Astronomy Explorer CD-ROM is included with the Student Text. This interactive CD-ROM contains movies and animations related to astronomy. The student exercises provide an excellent foundation for understanding the complexities of the universe. A glossary of terms is also part of the CD.