For educators
DSPIRA teacher downloads and editable materials
Adapt existing materials or create your own with WVU DSPIRA templates.
Choose a topic below to view or download materials for your class. Each resource includes a printable PDF and an editable Word or PowerPoint file. View PDFs in your browser. Download editable files to adapt them for your class. For lesson planning, visit Teach with DSPIRA.
Create new materials
Start with these templates to keep new lessons consistent with the collection. Both use the WVU DSPIRA banner, Arial text, and automatic page or slide numbers.
| Use | Template | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Lesson or worksheet | Download Word template (.dotx) | View PDF |
| Classroom presentation | Download PowerPoint template (.potx) | View PDF |
The Word template includes lesson sections, a data table, and space for student answers. The PowerPoint template includes six layouts, from a lesson introduction to data and reflection slides.
- Download the template and open it in the desktop version of Word or PowerPoint.
- Save your working copy as a Word document (
.docx) or PowerPoint presentation (.pptx). - Replace bracketed prompts and remove unused sections. In PowerPoint, choose Home > New Slide for the branded layouts.
- Keep the heading styles and Arial font. Add image descriptions, source credits, and relevant safety instructions.
- Check accessibility and page breaks, then export a PDF. Keep the editable file so teachers can adapt your lesson.
Word comments and PowerPoint speaker notes include additional guidance.
Plan a class
Use the Velocity Curve unit for a complete classroom sequence. The astronomy recordings include thirteen slide decks. The DSP recordings connect theory with laboratory exercises.
Printable and editable materials
Use Word for handouts and worksheets. Use PowerPoint for presentations.
Some diagrams and legacy equations remain images within the editable files. Print measuring models at actual size; each model lists its paper and scaling instructions. Keep author credits and check third-party permissions when adapting materials.
Dates identify source editions; older decks may differ from later recordings.
Horn construction (5)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Horn telescope cradle assembly | View PDF | Download Word |
| Horn and can assembly | View PDF | Download Word |
| Horn design | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Mini horn telescope construction and operation | View PDF | Download Word |
| Horn telescope stand assembly | View PDF | Download Word |
Software setup (2)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Ubuntu | View PDF | Download Word |
| Raspberry Pi radio astronomy guide 2020 | View PDF | Download Word |
Electromagnetic spectrum (5)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Electromagnetic spectrum and space | View PDF | Download Word |
| Electromagnetic spectrum answer key | View PDF | Download Word |
| Electromagnetic spectrum activity | View PDF | Download Word |
| The Doppler effect | View PDF | Download Word |
| Introduction to electromagnetic radiation | View PDF | Download Word |
Simple spectrometer (6)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Build a simple spectrometer | View PDF | Download Word |
| Building a waveform generator | View PDF | Download Word |
| Multiple signal sources | View PDF | Download Word |
| Fourier series | View PDF | Download Word |
| The FFT block | View PDF | Download Word |
| Filters | View PDF | Download Word |
Fourier series (2)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Fourier transform activity | View PDF | Download Word |
| Making waves with Fourier series teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
Earth motion (4)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Finding Earth speed using physics | View PDF | Download Word |
| How fast are we moving basic activity | View PDF | Download Word |
| How fast are we moving advanced activity | View PDF | Download Word |
| How fast are we moving teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
Earth orbit (6)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Measuring Earth speed around the Sun teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
| Finding the galactic center | View PDF | Download Word |
| Measuring Earth speed using the Doppler effect | View PDF | Download Word |
| Earth speed comparing model and measurements | View PDF | Download Word |
| Modeling Earth orbit around the Sun | View PDF | Download Word |
| Earth orbit model diagram | View PDF | Download Word |
Observation planning (5)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Celestial coordinate systems teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
| Exploring celestial coordinates with Stellarium | View PDF | Download Word |
| Stellarium teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
| Celestial coordinate systems | View PDF | Download Word |
| Tools for observational astronomy teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
Milky Way (5)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to the Milky Way | View PDF | Download Word |
| Modeling motion in the Milky Way | View PDF | Download Word |
| Exploring the Milky Way teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
| Exploring galactic rotation | View PDF | Download Word |
| Milky Way model diagram | View PDF | Download Word |
Velocity curve (17)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Celestial coordinate systems | View PDF | Download Word |
| The 21 cm hydrogen line | View PDF | Download Word |
| Radio astronomy unit outline | View PDF | Download Word |
| The electromagnetic spectrum | View PDF | Download Word |
| Galactic plane observation 1 (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download Word |
| Galactic plane observation 1 conclusions (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download Word |
| Galactic plane observation 2 (2019 edition) | View PDF | Download Word |
| Horn telescope discussion guide | View PDF | Download Word |
| Horn telescope observations | View PDF | Download Word |
| Using Stellarium | View PDF | Download Word |
| Velocity curve part 2 teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
| Velocity curve part 2 conclusions | View PDF | Download Word |
| Velocity curve part 2 observations | View PDF | Download Word |
| Velocity curve part 1 conclusions | View PDF | Download Word |
| Velocity curve part 1 teacher notes | View PDF | Download Word |
| Velocity curve part 1 observations | View PDF | Download Word |
| The tangent method for galactic rotation | View PDF | Download Word |
Teaching figures (2)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency and radial velocity | View PDF | Download Word |
| Galactic rotation geometry | View PDF | Download Word |
Telescope research (1)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Telescope public use study report | View PDF | Download Word |
Astronomy lecture slides (19)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| All galaxies great and small | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Dark matter (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Dark matter | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Discovery of the milky way | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Doppler effect and telescopes | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Galactic rotation (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Galaxy interactions and dark matter | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Gravity | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Introduction to astronomy (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Light and telescopes | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Motion of the sky (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Motion of the sky | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Time, planning observations, and coordinate systems (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Rotation curves | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Stars | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Stellar evolution | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Time and planning observations | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Units and scales | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Your observations (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
Digital signal processing slides (7)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Filters (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Fourier series project (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Fourier series (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Fourier transform (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Mixing and modulation (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Sampling (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
| Signal processing for radio astronomy (2018 edition) | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
Radio astronomy slides (1)
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging and deconvolution — David J. Wilner, 2014 | View PDF | Download PowerPoint |
Amplifier assembly (4)
Match the guide to your board revision. Circuit drawings retain their original labels and component values.
View PDFs in your browser or download Word files to adapt the instructions.
| Resource | View | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Amplifier parts guide, revision 4 | View PDF | Download Word |
| Amplifier parts guide, revision 3 (earlier reference) | View PDF | Download Word |
| Amplifier assembly guide, June 22, 2018 | View PDF | Download Word |
| Original amplifier assembly notes | View PDF | Download Word |
Practice with signals
Browse 29 DSP flowgraph exercises. Choose examples covering signal displays, sampling, Fourier analysis, and filters. The catalog identifies examples that still need compatibility updates.
Prepare an observation
Bring the horn and can assembly, a stable mount, amplifier, SMA cable, receiver, USB cable, and configured computer. Check power, connections, storage space, pointing information, and your observing plan before leaving. Follow the telescope setup lesson and calibration instructions. Record the target, time, pointing, receiver settings, and calibration conditions with your observations.
Find circuit design notes in the hardware guide. Use transient research examples for advanced simulation work.