Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

Scientific literacy encompasses the ability to read scientific literature and to effectively communicate scientific knowledge and reasoning via writing, speaking, and other means. This skill comprises a key goal of K-12 education, as borne out by educational standards worldwide (cf. The Next Generation Science Standards followed by U.S. schools). Advancing astronomical literacy provides a compelling gateway to advancing scientific literacy overall, as the subject of Astronomy is both interdisciplinary and very popular. In this presentation, I discuss the motivation and development of an astronomical writing contest for high-school students. Progress on a pilot astronomical science writing contest being hosted by The Galactic Inquirer will be presented.

Biography:

William H. Waller (Bill) is a Ph.D. astronomer, science educator and communicator based in Massachusetts, USA. He has worked with NASA on several space science research missions and educational outreach programs. He continues to teach and mentor students in both high-school and collegiate settings. His research focus concerns the causes and consequences of starburst activity in galaxies. His award-winning general interest books span all astronomical scales – from the Solar System (with the present book) to the Milky Way galaxy, nearby universe of galaxies, and beyond to the cosmic frontier. He currently produces Doc Waller's Earth & Space Reports and co-edits The Galactic Inquirer, a free online journal on diverse astronomical topics.