A Jump-Start for Astronomy Education in Taiwan

Extract

Spurred by the leaping developments of research activities (SMA, TAOS, AMIBA), Taiwan is catching up in virtually all aspects of its education in astronomy. The first astronomy research institute was established by the Academia Sinica about 10 years ago, which catalyzed within two years the first graduate school of astronomy, as well as an elaborate astronomy museum. Since then astronomy education at all levels, from colleges to primary schools, has been booming. More than a dozen universities are offering astronomy courses, and two more graduate schools will soon be instituted. Textbooks get written, and books on popular science, either translated or composed by local authors, have mushroomed on the market. I will outline these ongoing activities along with plans on the horizon.