Innovation in Astronomy Education

by Edited by Jay M. Pasachoff , Rosa M. Ros , Naomi Pasachoff

• ISBN13: 9780521880152
• ISBN10: 0521880157
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-09-08
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Astronomy leads to an understanding of the history and nature of science, and attracts many young people to education in science and technology. But while in many countries astronomy is not part of the standard curriculum, many scientific and educational societies and government agencies have produced materials and educational resources in astronomy for all educational levels. This volume highlights the general strategies for effective teaching and introduces innovative points of view regarding methods of teaching and learning, particularly those using new technologies. Technology is used in astronomy both for obtaining observations and for teaching. The book also presents ideas for how astronomy can be connected to environmental issues and other topics of public interest. This valuable overview is based on papers and posters presented by many of the world's leading astronomy educators at a Special Session of the International Astronomical Union General Assembly in Prague in 2006.

Author Biography

Jay M. Pasachoff is Field Memorial Professor of Astronomy at Williams College, and was President of the Commission on Education and Development of the International Astronomical Union Rosa M. Ros is Professor of Mathematics at the Technical University of Catalonia in Barcelona and Vice-President of the International Astronomical Union's Commission on Education and Development Naomi Pasachoff is a Research Associate at Williams College and an author of science textbooks and biographies of scientists

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
General strategies for effective teaching	p. 1
Introduction	p. 3
Main objectives for the meeting on innovation in teaching/learning astronomy	p. 11
Learning astronomy by doing astronomy	p. 13
Hands-On Universe - Europe (EU-HOU)	p. 23
Life on Earth in the atmosphere of the Sun: a multimedia manual	p. 27
A model of teaching astronomy to pre-service teachers	p. 32
How to teach, learn about, and enjoy astronomy	p. 39
Clickers: a new teaching tool of exceptional promise	p. 48
Educational opportunities in pro-am collaboration	p. 55
Teaching history of astronomy to second-year engineering students at the University of Chile	p. 58
Teaching the evolution of stellar and Milky Way concepts through the ages: a tool for the construction of a scientific culture using astrophysics	p. 62
International Astronomical Union - education programs	p. 70
Astronomy in culture	p. 75
Light pollution: a tool for astronomy education	p. 85
Worldwide distance-learning university astronomy	p. 91
Edible astronomy demonstrations	p. 98
Amateur astronomers as public outreach partners	p. 106
Does the Sun rotate around Earth or does Earth rotate around the Sun? An important aspect of science education	p. 110
Using sounds and sonifications for astronomy outreach	p. 113
Teaching astronomy and the crisis in science education	p. 116
Astronomy for all as part of a general education	p. 122
Cosmic deuterium and social networking software	p. 128
Poster highlights	p. 132
Astronomy in the laboratory	p. 132
Crayon-colored planets: using children's drawings as guides for improving astronomy teaching	p. 134
Challenges of astronomy: classification of eclipses	p. 135
Malargue light pollution: a study carried out by measuring real cases	p. 135
Simple, joyful, instructive: ignite the joy for astronomy	p. 138
Successive innovative methods in introducing astronomy courses	p. 139
The 2005 annular eclipse: a classroom activity at EPLA	p. 139
The Armagh Observatory Human Orrery	p. 140
What mathematics is hidden behind the astronomical clock of Prague?	p. 142
Solar System - Practical Exercises and Astronomy - Practical Works for secondary scholars	p. 143
Astronomy in the training of teachers and the role of practical rationality in sky observation	p. 143
Connecting astronomy with the public	p. 145
Introduction	p. 147
The IAU Working Group on communicating astronomy with the public: status report	p. 151
Astronomy outreach: informal education	p. 156
Integrating audio and video podcasting into existing E/PO programs	p. 160
The IAU's communication strategy, hands-on science communication, and the communication of the planet definition discussion	p. 163
Getting a word in edgeways: the survival of discourse in audiovisual astronomy	p. 177
A critical evaluation of the new Hall of Astronomy of the University of Mexico Science Museum	p. 183
Revitalizing astronomy teaching through research on student understanding	p. 189
The TENPLA project (1): popularization of astronomy under cooperation between students and educators in Japan	p. 198
The TENPLA project (2): activities for the popularization of astronomy	p. 199
Poster highlights	p. 203
An astronomer in the classroom: Observatoire de Paris's partnership between teachers and astronomers	p. 203
Astronomy and space sciences in Portugal: communication and education	p. 204
Gemini Observatory outreach	p. 204
Effective use of instruction and information technology	p. 207
Introduction	p. 209
ESO's astronomy education program	p. 212
US student astronomy research and remote observing projects	p. 218
A global network of autonomous observatoires dedicated to student research	p. 226
Remote telescopes in education: report of an Australian study	p. 233
Visualizing large astronomical data holdings	p. 243
Poster highlights	p. 245
An educational CD-ROM based on the making of the Second Guide Star Catalogue	p. 245
Astronomia.pl portal as a partner for projects aimed at students or the public	p. 245
Development of a remote cooperative observation system for telescopes with P2P agent network by using location information	p. 247
Image processing for educators in Global Hands-On Universe	p. 248
The Pomona College undergraduate 1-meter telescope, astronomy laboratory, and remote observing program	p. 250
Practical issues connected with the implementation of the 2003 IAU resolution on the Value of Astronomy Education, passed by the IAU General Assembly, 2003	p. 251
Introduction	p. 253
Stellar evolution for students of Moscow University	p. 258
Astronomy for everybody: an approach from the CASAO/NAUH view	p. 262
Toward a new program in astronomy education in secondary schools in Turkey	p. 272
Universe awareness for young children: some educational aspects and a pilot project	p. 276
Education in Egypt and Egyptian response to eclipses	p. 281
Astronomy in the cultural heritage of African societies	p. 288
Education at the Pierre Auger Observatory: movies as a tool in science education	p. 293
Freshman seminars: interdisciplinary engagements in astronomy	p. 300
Astronomy for teachers	p. 306
Daytime utilization of a university observatory for laboratory instruction	p. 310
Poster highlights	p. 315
Astronomy education in the Republic of Macedonia	p. 315
L'Aula del Cel: communicating astronomy at school level	p. 315
Gemini Observatory's innovative education and outreach for 2006 and beyond	p. 316
A history of astronomy teaching in Serbian schools	p. 317
News from the Cosmos: daily astronomical news web page in Spanish	p. 317
Reproduction of William Herschel's metallic mirror telescope	p. 318
History of Ukrainian culture and science in astronomical toponymy	p. 321
The Universe: helping to promote astronomy	p. 321
Astronomy education in Ukraine, the school curriculum, and a lecture course at Kyiv Planetarium	p. 323
Conclusions	p. 324
Author index	p. 325
Index	p. 329
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