Astronomy has great potential to attract children toward science and improve their scientific literacy. However, it has a relatively small presence within the school curricula worldwide. In Chile, home of the world's largest telescopes, astronomy is even more relevant in science education, but the presence of astronomical content within the…

Children can see the Moon with the naked eye and often are curious about the Moon and other objects in the sky, like the Sun and the stars. However, there is sometimes disagreement in early childhood about whether studying space is appropriate for young children. This activities described in this article engaged children who had different learning…

This book presents a wide range of international perspectives that explore the different ways the diverse forms of drama supports learning in science. It illustrates how learning science by adopting and adapting theatrical techniques can offer more inclusive ways for students to relate to scientific ideas and concepts. The theatrical processes by…

Despite the interest, curiosity and the enthusiasm of the large public for Astronomy as a scientific discipline, it is absent from the current Romanian curriculum. We present here the results of two surveys that involve parents and teachers and show the necessity, the relevance and the usefulness of including astronomy as a discipline in the…

Against a backdrop of advocacy for interdisciplinary STEM curricula, this paper explores the design principles underpinning a three-year longitudinal research project that develops and evaluates interdisciplinary mathematics and science learning sequences involving multiple teachers and student cohorts across the primary school years. The research…

There is widespread interest among discipline-based science education researchers to situate their research in the existing scholarly literature base. Unfortunately, traditional approaches to conducting a thorough literature review are unduly hindered in astronomy education research as the venues in which scholarship is reported are fragmented and…

Features astronomy activities that teach the value and limitations of inferring. (YDS)

Provides a bibliography of materials which deal with astronomy and: (1) science fiction; (2) poetry; (3) general fiction; (4) music; (5) psychology; and (6) the law. Also cites two general references on interdisciplinary approaches with astronomy topics. (JN)

Presents two examples of astronomical problems suitable for use in teaching of Newton's and Kepler's laws of motion in a logical fashion. Indicates that the gratuitous presentation of physical principles may lead to removal of student interests and sense of achievement and satisfaction in the study of physics. (CC)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the spread of astronomy contents throughout the Spanish pre-university educative system as stated in the curricula established by law. Possible contents of Astronomy were first classified in groups and then looked after in the official curricula of the different subjects throughout the Spanish…

Describes the development of a theme-based, multidisciplinary course. The article partitions into the following sections: (1) Constructing the Course; (2) Putting the Ideas to Work; (3) Connecting Science and Society; and (4) The Arts and Astronomy. (ZWH)

Provides: (1) background information on what makes up the universe, ways astronomers study the universe, and theories about how the universe began; (2) six activities; and (3) four read-to-duplicate pages. Activities include objective(s), recommended age level(s), subject area(s), list of materials needed, and procedures. (JN)

Presents information on Halley's Comet including its discovery, impact on history, planned investigations related to its 1986 return, where and when to make observations, and predicted calendar of events. Gives general information on comets such as physical structure, theoretical origin, and paths and provides an annotated reference list. (JM)

In this interdisciplinary art and science program elementary school children visited a planetarium, learned about astronomy, and created cosmic art. Integrating art and science allows students to take a more unified look at the many parts of the world. (RM)

Briefly describes a module on the origin of life formulated for inclusion in introductory biology, geology, and astronomy courses. The authors are preparing a concise monograph on the topic to complement the three-week module. (Author/SK)