Astronomy Education In A Low-Tech Environment
TalkAstronomy education in low-tech environments: Challenges and solutions
2nd Shaw-IAU Workshop
Wednesday Oct. 7, 2020
UTC: 6:05 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. America/New_York: 2:05 p.m.- 2:15 p.m.
Thursday Oct. 8, 2020
UTC: 11:05 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. America/New_York: 7:05 a.m.- 7:15 a.m.
Premana W. Premadi (Bosscha Observatory)
For years Indonesia has made the first 9 year of education compulsory. Yet the quality of it varies, with the lowest being at the least developed regions. For astronomy this is an interesting case: the least developed regions often have the clearest darkest night where one can see beautiful sky. We try to combine the introduction to astronomy with environmental protection in our educational material for school children.
The main idea is to improve their learning experience without relying much on technology and use their natural resources instead which often inspire creativity. Our strategy involves empowering their teachers and local facilitators (local university students and STEAM-related industries). Our Bosscha Observatory develops the educational material as well as provides trainings for the teachers and local facilitators.
About Premana W. Premadi
I am a faculty staff member of the Department of Astronomy of the Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), Indonesia, with specialty in cosmology and relativistic astrophysics. Currently I am the Director of Bosscha Observatory. I am a part of the international Universe Awareness for Children programand founded the Universe Awareness Indonesia. With a number of ITB alumni, I am quite active in STEAM teacher training.
Watch a recording of this talk (external link)
