Teaching Astronomy at Keio Senior High School, Japan

Extract

The major problem in teaching astronomy in our senior high schools has to do with the nature of the Japanese educational system. The typical science curriculum consists of physics, chemistry, biology, earth science, and general science I & II. The Japanese Ministry of Education allows General Science I to fulfill the minimum high-school graduation requirement in science. General Science I covers the basics of earth science. Astronomy has been taught as a part of General Science I and Earth Science.

Many Japanese high schools do not offer earth science because it is not covered in the college entrance exams (Table l). Moreover, teachers usually spend many hours with the students memorizing the basics of earth science rather than allowing some time in the laboratory.