Astronomy for Children and Schools — Side Activities
Astronomy and Astrobiology Teacher Training Workshop
Dates: 25 & 26 August 2012
Venue: Beijing Planetarium
Short description: This is a workshop led by IAU scientists and Education and Public Outreach leads in conjunction with the Beijing Planetarium. The workshop is designed for high school physics teachers to motivate and train them in the integration of astrobiology and astronomy into physics curricula. Conducted in both Mandarin and English, the workshop content focuses on lectures and activities related to planetary system science, exoplanets and star formation. The program will discuss exciting new results from recent international space missions as well as some plans for new mission ideas. The teachers will work with the scientists in groups using astronomical data to learn how to translate new science results (e.g. related to the Kepler mission and Mars) into the classroom. IAU scientists who are interested in learning to work with high school teachers are invited to participate. The workshop will be held at the Beijing Planetarium.
Contacts: Mary Ann Kadooka, kadooka@ifa.hawaii.edu, +1-808-956-7954
GTTP Teacher Training Workshop
Dates: 1 & 2 September
Venue: To be defined
Short description: This workshop is designed to present modern resources for science teaching to the different grade levels. The material presented range from hands-on with daily materials to digital resources. Participants will have an opportunity to get acquainted with modern resources that use Inquiry Based methodology being produced in the scope of the EC funded project (Discover the Cosmos) as well with "Dark Skies Rangers" a set of environmental/astronomy-based lesson plans for grades 3 through 12 that helps students learn the importance of preserving dark skies.
More information: www.galileoteachers.org, www.discoverthecosmos.eu, www.darkskiesawareness.org
Contacts: Hongfeng Guo – ghf123@yahoo.cn / Connie Walker – cwalker@noao.edu - +1 520-318-8535 / Rosa Doran – rosa.doran@nuclio.pt - +351966781264
Universe Awareness Day Camp
Dates: 20 - 24 August 2012
Venue: IAU GA 2012, China National Convention Center
Description: The idea behind the Day Camp is to combine professional childcare support for parents who would like to bring their family to the conference with a rich programme of educational astronomy activities for their children.
More information: http://www.unawe.org/updates/unawe-update-1231/
Contacts: Cristina Olivotto / cristina@sterrenlab.com/ T + 31 6 48268645
Universe Awareness School Visit
Dates: TBD
Venue: International School of Beijing
Short description: Astronomers of the Universe Awareness network will visit the International School of Beijing to give lectures and build relationships that will benefit their students learning and understanding of science and astronomy. A selection of science teachers of the same school will be invited to participate to relevant sessions at the IAU GA 2012.
Contacts: Cristina Olivotto / cristina@sterrenlab.com/ T + 31 6 48268645
