This year’s Shaw-IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education focuses on the role of astronomy in the core regions of formal, primary and secondary, education: How do we teach astronomy as its own subject? What is the role of astronomy in teaching physics or chemistry – or in communicating such a central future topic as climate change?

In sessions marked with a * we aim to hear specifically from teachers. We also address the question of how to approach those who set the framework for teaching: How can you get your administration, or at a much higher level: your education ministry, to listen to you? Last but not least we look at how to bridge the divide between the fundamentals that are commonly taught in school and results from cutting-edge research, which tend to be fascinating to students and the general public alike.

1. Teaching astronomy in primary schools: How, why, and in what context*
2. Teaching astronomy as its own subject in secondary schools*
3. Teaching astronomy as part of physics, chemistry, geography (and others) in secondary schools – astronomy as a “gateway science”*
4. Teaching astronomy as part of non-STEM subjects in secondary schools: art, music, philosophy and beyond*
5. Students in a changing climate: how can astronomy help?*
6. Astronomy education research on the role of astronomy in schools
7. Student interest in astronomy and other subjects: research and practical experience
8. Astronomy in schools: how do you get your administration and your ministry to listen?
9. How to develop an astronomy curriculum
10. Gravitational waves, black hole shadows and exoplanets: Can we make a place for cutting-edge results in schools?

Registration and abstract submission is live. Please check the website!

Source: https://astro4edu.org/shaw-iau/

Distributed by: National Astronomy Education Coordinator of Brunei Darussalam, IAU Office of Astronomy Education

In order to make astrotourism more accessible, researchers working between the University of Namibia and the University of Oxford have come together to develop an introductory course which will be run via Zoom, free of charge. The course will consist of five, 1.5-hour sessions, and will be delivered on Tuesdays at 4pm CAT (UTC+2) on the following dates:

24th August (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Introduction to astronomy
31st August (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Astronomy facilities and research in Southern Africa
7th Sept (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Astronomy for development and astrotourism
14th Sept (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time) – Stargazing and indigenous astronomy in Namibia
21st Sept (16:00-17:30 CAT / 22:00-23:30 Brunei Time ) – Light pollution and dark skies for sustainable development

This course serves as an introduction to several relevant topics relating to astrotourism, and sessions 2 and 4 will largely be in the context of Namibia. No prior knowledge is needed to take part in this course, and where possible we will share additional resources where you can learn in more depth. This course is not officially accredited, and cannot be used as credits towards other programmes. All sessions will be recorded, and material (PDFs and slides) will be made freely available to participants afterwards.

If you are interested in taking part, complete this registration form by Wednesday 18th August; our capacity is 300 participants. Here https://forms.gle/c6okSDfttXCvLmTo8

The information you provide in this form will be used for the sole purpose of contacting you about the course, and for understanding the demographics of those taking part. Your personal information will not be shared in any way and if you agree, will be kept for evaluation purposes for one year. Otherwise, it will be deleted after the course has been completed.

The course will be delivered by: Dr Hannah Dalgleish (University of Namibia, University of Oxford); Dr Meghan Hughes (University of Oxford). And was prepared with the additional help from: Dr Getachew Mengistie (University of Namibia). This project is led by Prof. Garret Cotter (University of Oxford), Dr Michael Backes (University of Namibia) and Dr Eli Kasai (University of Namibia), and has been funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (ST/S002952/1) and Exeter College, Oxford in the UK.

• IAU OAO NOC Brunei Darussalam

More detail, contact Mhd Fairos bin Asillam (Secretary of AAWT) at mhdfairos@gmail.com or +60193553539