Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

STEAM education is one of the buzzwords, however, it can be found in the classic practices. To look for elements of STEAM in the reports that have not specifically focused on STEAM education, I have looked for the elements and found them in the classroom records of primary schools in various subjects. Primary school teachers are generally said to be not so confident at science class, especially in astronomy. The teachers can confidently create lessons in astronomy, which they felt weak in, with the confidence that they were already practitioners of STEAM education. The above is based on discussions with primary school teachers in the Wakayama area and is the situation in Japan. It is likely that similar situations exist in other countries, and I would like to discuss on this point.

Biography:

Akihiko Tomita (please call me Tomita) is an astronomer studying galaxies through observations, and a professor of the Faculty of Education, Wakayama University, Japan, working especially on pre-service teacher training. Engaged in study on early childhood astronomy education, formal and informal astronomy education from elementary to high school levels, the UNAWE Japan coordinator, the NAEC Japan chair, the secretary of the Division C of the IAU.