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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 2008 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.
Preface
Part I. General Strategies for Effective Teaching: Introduction
1. Main objectives of SpS2 Jay M. Pasachoff and Rosa M. Ros
2. Learning astronomy by doing astronomy John R. Percy
3. Hands-on Universe-Europe Roger Ferlet
4. Life on Earth in the atmosphere of the Sun E. V. Kononovich, T. V. Matveychuk, O. B. Smirnova, G. V. Jukinana, and S. A. Krastokin
5. A model of teaching astronomy to pre-service teachers Bill MacIntyre
6. How to teach, learn about, and enjoy astronomy Rosa M. Ros
7. Clickers: a new teaching tool of exceptional promise Douglas Duncan
8. Educational opportunities in pro-am collaboration Richard Tresch Fienberg and Robert Stencel
9. Teaching history of astronomy to second-year engineering students Jose Maza
10. Teaching the evolution of stellar and Milky Way concepts through the ages Gilles Theureau and Ludwig Klein
11. Educational efforts of the International Astronomical Union Jay M. Pasachoff
12. Astronomy in culture Magda Stavinschi
13. Light pollution: a tool for astronomy education Margarita Metaxa
14. Astronomy by distance learning Stewart Eyres, Barbara Hassall, and Ian Butchart
15. Edible astronomy demonstrations Donald A. Lubowich
16. Amateur astronomers as public outreach partners Michael A. Bennett
17. Does the Sun rotate around Earth or Earth rotate around the Sun? Syuzo Isobe
18. Using sounds and sonifications for astronomy outreach Fernando J. Ballesteros and Bartolo Luque
19. Teaching astronomy and the crisis in science education Nick Lomb and Toner Stevenson
20. Astronomy for all as part of a general education J. E. F. Baruch, D. G. Hedges, J. Machell, K. Norris, and C. J. Tallon; Poster abstracts;
Part II. Connecting Astronomy with the Public: Introduction
21. A status report from the Division XII working group Dennis R. Crabtree, Lars Lindberg Christensen, and Ian Robson
22. Outreach using media Julieta Fierro
23. Astronomy podcasting Aaron Price
24. IAU's communication strategy, hands-on science communication, and the communication of the planet definition discussion Lars Lindberg Christensen
25. Getting a word in edgeways: the survival of discourse in audiovisual astronomy Terry Mahoney
26. Critical evaluation of the new Hall of Astronomy Silvia Torres
27. Revitalizing astronomy teaching through research on student understanding Timothy Slater; Poster abstracts;
Part III. Effective Use of Instruction and Information Technology: Introduction
28. ESO's astronomy education program Douglas Pierce-Price, Claus Madsen, Henri Boffin, and Gonzalo Argandona
29. U.S. student astronomy research and remote observing projects Mary Ann Kadooka, James Bedient, Sophia Hu, Rosa Hemphill, and Karen J. Meech
30. Global network of autonomous observatories dedicated to student research Richard Gelderman
31. Remote telescopes in education: Report of an Australian study David H. McKinnon and Lena Danaia
32. Visualizing large astronomical data holdings C. Christian, A. Conti, and N. Gaffney; Poster abstracts; Part IV. Practical Issues Connected with the Implementation of the 2003 IAU Resolution: Introduction
33. Stellar evolution for students of Moscow University E. V. Kononovich and I. V. Mironova
34. Astronomy for everybody: an approach from the CASAO/NAUH view Maria Cristina Pineda de Carias
35. Toward a new program in astronomy education in secondary schools in Turkey Z. Aslan and Z. Tunca
36. Universe awareness for young children Cecilia Scorza, George Miley, Carolina Odman, and Claus Madsen
37. Education in Egypt and Egyptian responses to eclipses Ahmed A. Hady
38. Astronomy in the cultural heritage of African societies Paul Baki
39. Education at the Pierre Auger Observatory: the cinema as a tool in science education Beatriz Garcia and Cristina Raschia
40. Freshman seminars: interdisciplinary engagements in astronomy Mary Kay Hemenway
41. Astronomy for teachers Julieta Fierro
Poster abstracts
Conclusion
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 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.
"What makes this book special is the care that has gone into articulating why astronomy education is important and why it is necessary to better train and support preservice and in-service science teachers. This book is a must-have for anyone working to add astronomy to any curriculum or to persuade funders to invest in science education [...] it is a book that will give the experienced astronomy educator some novel activities, new resource lists, and well-argued reasons to introduce astronomy to as many minds as possible."
- Astronomy Education Review
"The editors are enthusiastic and prolific writers and this book is a well presented collection of papers, posters and discussions highlighting the importance of astronomy in national curricula from primary to tertiary level. [This is] an in-depth, well argued and persuasive text which I would hope could be essential reading for any with a remit in science education and particularly curriculum advisers and policy makers in national education. For others this is a reassuring read, seeing that internationally the importance of astronomy education is being realised."
- Astronomy Now
"The papers present highly interesting accounts of work in progress or critical reviews of past efforts and form a valuable resource of astronomical education. The sectional editorials are full of wisdom and good sense. [The contributors have] provided a service for all who are working to promote and improve astronomical education."
- The Observatory
