Astronomy Literacy Goals Erik Arends Universe Awareness, Leiden Observatory September 9th 2014 Cascais, Portugal
Astronomy Literacy Goals
Erik Arends Universe Awareness, Leiden Observatory
September 9th 2014 Cascais, 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