1 - Why astronomy is useful and should be included in the school curriculum

Summary

Abstract: Why is astronomy useful? Why should it be part of the school curriculum? This paper lists about 20 reasons: cultural, historical, and philosophical reasons; practical, technological, and scientific reasons; environmental, aesthetic, and emotional reasons; and pedagogical reasons. Astronomy can attract young people to science and technology; it can promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of science; it can be done as an accessible, inexpensive hobby: “the stars belong to everyone.” This paper then connects the reasons to the expectations of the modern school curriculum, including knowledge, skills, applications, and attitudes.

One of the goals of the conference upon which this book is based is to encourage more and better astronomy in schools around the world. A second goal, which will help to achieve the first goal, is to encourage and facilitate the development of teacher training in astronomy, and of resources and other materials for teachers. A third goal is to identify effective, efficient, culturally appropriate strategies for achieving these goals in each country. These goals are expressed in the Resolution which was presented to the 2003 IAU General Assembly by Commission 46. I am grateful to Magda Stavinschi, of Romania, for starting the process which led to this Resolution (see the Introduction to this volume). Implementation of these goals will require effective linkages between astronomers and educators; the National Liaisons to IAU Commission 46 can play an important role here. They can work through the “astronomical community” in each country, as defined by Percy (1999).