Astronomy Literacy Goals

Erik ArendsUniverse Awareness, Leiden Observatory

September 9th 2014Cascais, Portugal

Astronomy Literacy Goals

•Benchmark for advancement of astronomy education

•Framework for educators around the globe as starting point

•Based on AAAS goals for 2061

•Idea: Literate public sees Halley

Why Literacy?

•Science literacy▫Wide-spread science capital▫Understanding of technology▫Science/Technical jobs▫Democracy▫Scientific reasoning

Why Literacy?

•Astronomy literacy▫Part of science literacy

Catalyst for other subjects

▫Global citizenship

▫Cultural heritage

General method other literacy documents

• Draft document• Meetings with community• Revision• Online public review• Revision• Expert review• Launch• Updates

Method: Start

•Starting point: AAAS Project 2061 - Benchmarks for Science Literacy (1993)▫Section: The Physical Setting

•Subtract astronomy parts

•For global use: age groups

•Add learning goals from Universe in a Box

Method: New Goals

•Add evolved subjects▫Exoplanets▫Cosmology▫Climate Change

•Add UNAWE goals▫Perspective on pale blue dot▫Astronomy culture

Method: Literature Review

•Division into age groups: literature research▫Look for lower age limit of understanding▫Difference: with or without instruction

Without: current status of education With: capability of understanding

▫Not fully researched area▫Establish per topic a lower age limit

Method: Survey

•Initial feedback▫1 astronomer▫2 secondary school teachers (specialist)▫2 primary school teachers (specialist)

•Future: Large survey▫Secondary school teachers▫Primary school teachers

Method: Feedback

•Feedback from astronomy education community▫Consisting of:

Method: Feedback

•Feedback from astronomy education community▫Consisting of:

YOU!

Method: Feedback

•List handed out with link to online form

•Please fill this out!

Timeline

•July ‘14: 1st draft•August ‘14: 2nd draft (small survey)•September ‘14: 3rd draft (community

survey)•November ‘14: 4th draft (large teacher

survey)•January ‘15: 1st version (Review IAU

C45+OAD TF2)•August ’15: Presentation IAU General

Assembly•Final version•Regular revision