Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

If we want to reach the greatest number of students and inspire them through astronomy the most effective method is to ensure astronomy is properly covered in the mainstream curriculum. Whilst not denying the value and role of specialist astronomy courses their reach will always be limited and indeed impacted by the lack of experienced teachers. By using astronomy as a context, we can illustrate examples where basic and key scientific concepts are used to help us understand the Universe. Examples from Australian curricula at both junior and senior high school levels are provided along with suggestions for integration into existing subjects.

About Robert Hollow

Robert is the Education Manager at CSIRO’s Space & Astronomy unit. He leads the PULSE@Parkes program for high school students and coordinates Space & Astronomy’s undergraduate and postgraduate student programs. He has extensive experience in high school teaching, curriculum development, having written a specialist astronomy curriculum and the previous physics curriculum in NSW, Australia. He interest in astronomy education focusses on student using real data for investigations. He is currently working on projects on space education and career opportunities. Robert is a committee member of the IAU Commission on Astronomy and Development and co-chairs their Astronomy Education Research and Methods Working Group. He is chair of the NAEC team in Australia for the IAU OAE.

Watch a recording of this talk (external link)