SUPPORTING EDUCATION In Astronomy and Space Science Erik Vermaat RASNZ Education Group On Astronomy...
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- Slide 1
- SUPPORTING EDUCATION In Astronomy and Space Science Erik
Vermaat RASNZ Education Group On Astronomy Education On Missions
Statements The Grassroots level Our website, your
participation
- Slide 2
- A. ON ASTRONOMY EDUCATION Astronomy is a Gateway Science
Various countries report a decline in interest among students for
the technical sciences: US: National Science Panel warns of far too
few new scientists New York Times UK: Britain will run out of
world- leading scientists unless the lack of interest shown in
science education is reversed, Professor Colin Pillinger. BBC
News
- Slide 3
- IAU It has been proven that pupils who engage in
astronomy-related educational activities at a primary or secondary
school are more likely to pursue careers in science and technology,
and to keep up to date with scientific discoveries (National
Research Council, 1991). This does not just benefit the field of
astronomy, but reaches across other scientific disciplines.
Astronomy in Everyday Life, Marissa Rosenberg, et.al. IAU
(2014)
- Slide 4
- ON ASTRONOMY EDUCATION Astronomy is an excellent vehicle to
promote sciences at school and in the home Primary and Secondary
curricula should, in our view, contain a significant component of
Astronomy with the aim to provide a basis of scientific interest
among todays students. In addition we must go beyond STEM education
and include the humanities and social sciences. It is our joint
responsibility as astronomers to support education in astronomy and
thus help to foster an interest in all base sciences.
- Slide 5
- B. ON MISSION STATEMENTS RASNZ Education Group The Education
Group of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ)
provides networks and tools that will give access to information,
knowledge and specialists in astronomy, aiming at educators and
students in astronomy and space science.
- Slide 6
- ON MISSION STATEMENTS RASNZ The object of the Society is the
promotion and extension of knowledge of astronomy and related
branches of science. It encourages interest in Astronomy, and is an
association of observers and others for mutual help and advancement
of science.
- Slide 7
- ON MISSION STATEMENTS RAS (UK) Very similar, but encourages and
promotes the study of astronomy, [...] Supports education through
grants and outreach activities. RAS has a significant Education
& Careers section.
- Slide 8
- WHAT OTHERS SAY Australian Astronomical Society has an
Education and Public Outreach Chapter (EPOC): To advance the level
of public awareness of the excitement of astronomy and of the
international importance of Australian astronomy, while promoting
the teaching of astronomy to students and the public
- Slide 9
- WHAT OTHERS SAY Astronomical Society of the Pacific Connect
scientists, educators, amateur astronomers and the public. Share
the results of astronomical research and news through our
publications. Design and deliver professional development, services
and toolkits to educators. [...] Communicate the excitement of
astronomy and science to the public. Maybe RASNZ should put more
emphasis on Education in its mission statement?
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- C. THE REALITY To be fair, of course many RASNZ members are
extensively involved in Education and Outreach (E&O) activities
in observatories, planetariums, on sidewalks, in classrooms, etc.
(in addition to what Universities are doing in formal tertiary
education). There is no sharp distinction between Education and
Outreach
- Slide 11
- THE REALITY Purpose of this talk is to ask you all to take some
ownership of what the Education group does and to participate. This
is not much different from what you are already doing. We would
like to give E & O activities more structure within RASNZ for
mutual benefit and for better exposure towards the general
public.
- Slide 12
- D. OUR WEBSITE By looking at how the web became such an
integral part of our lives, it is obvious to have a website that
shares the excitement of contemporary astronomy and space research
with the general public. More specifically:
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- OUR PRACTICAL OBJECTIVES Promote an interest in Astronomy and
Space Science (A & SS) by - Communicating current events and
opportunities - Maintaining an up-to-date and extensive portal to
information on A & SS - Promoting E & O activities and
events in NZ to the general public - and more...
- Slide 14
- OUR PRACTICAL OBJECTIVES Support Educators by - Providing
quality information - Facilitating exchange of specialised
resources - Supporting teachers professional development, - etc.
There is still much to develop and we are only starting...
- Slide 15
- ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA Teaching and Learning need to be
integrated with the systems that are shaping our socio-economic
reality. - Disseminate information effectively through repeated
sharing (re-tweeting) - Building a community around the
website
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- ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH is the process of communicating
science in an environment where individuals are most open to
receive information because this medium is frequented by the
targeted group by choice and out of pleasure, and not as a result
of a call for action from the science communicator. Oana Sandu
(ESO)
- Slide 17
- STRUCTURE OF THE WEBSITE We have highly dynamic content in
Latest News (once a week) and Featured Articles (once a month) a
vault of material and links mainly structured in Right Now
Educators and Students sections.
- Slide 18
- EXAMPLES Latest news and Lead Articles sections
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- EXAMPLES Educators section Introduction Astronomy in the NZC
Earth and Space Science (ESS) Teacher PD Indigenous Astronomy
Places to Visit Visits to your school Competitions, Opportunities
Hands-on Science Software downloads Newsletters Cool Websites
- Slide 20
- EXAMPLES Places to Visit This is an important feature to
promote the E & O that is happening in NZ and we can do
more...
- Slide 21
- EXAMPLES Students section Introduction Ask an Astronomer
Glossaries Stargazing Basics Telescope Basics Astrophotography Dark
Skies Image Libraries Video Libraries
- Slide 22
- EXAMPLES Dark Skies page Others can have their own page /
section
- Slide 23
- HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE Contribute content to Latest News and
Lead Articles and anywhere in the Right Now, Educators and Students
sections. You can even have your own page or section Help us to
keep information up-to-date (e.g. the observatory map) Share our
content in your social media networks Report your events on our
Events Calendar Write feature articles on your
events/activities
- Slide 24
- PARTICIPATE in astredu.nz website to help with our mission to
support A & SS education and to promote local/regional
activities. Contact webmaster@astredu.nzastredu.nz
webmaster@astredu.nz