Commission 46: Astronomy Education and Development (Enseignement De L’astronomie)

AbstractThis work aims to present the partial results of a project to collect and analyze all the issues of the Newsletters of Commission C1 (Astronomy Education and Development), formerly named Commission 46. The sources and the (hard) work to obtain printed editions, digitalize and make them available on the Internet are shown. Over 40 years, 86 issues from 1977 until 2017 were published. The Newsletters list the structure of the Commission featuring the names of presidents, vice-presidents, organizing committee, editors, printing and distribution responsible with editorial and presidential letters in the cover. A preliminary analysis of contents of the published material is done. The results present the main subjects of stories that were related to papers, teaching materials, book reviews, courses and meetings. Many solar eclipses and other phenomena were reported. Reports of important projects of the commission were published, such as: International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYAs), the travelling telescope among others WG projects. Stories of travels and triennial reports from many countries were continuously published presenting many actions and activities for all school levels, non-school activities such as planetariums and many other astronomy subjects. Reports of the education sessions and business meetings held during the IAU GAs and projects in developing countries complemented these publications. Occasionally, papers dealing with great questions and subjects can be found. There are many published contributions that show the participation of many members from many countries and the efforts to improve the astronomy education throughout the world. The surveyed material can be very useful for the next generations of astronomy education researchers, practitioners and teachers, not only as a repository of historical documents, but also as an inspiration for future projects.

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Special Session 5 Astronomy for the developing world

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921307012239 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2 (14) ◽

pp. 639-671 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John B. Hearnshaw ◽

Peter Martinez

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

World Wide ◽

Developing World ◽

Special Session ◽

International Astronomical Union ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

International Astronomical ◽

The World ◽

Strong Commitment ◽

Education And Development

The International Astronomical Union has a strong commitment to the development of astronomical education and research throughout the world, especially in those countries developing economically. This commitment is in part through the work of IAU Commission 46 for astronomy education and development. Within that commission, the Program Group for the World-wide Development of Astronomy (PGWWDA) coordinates many of these activities, promoting the development of astronomy in developing countries.

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Hands-On Astrophysics: Variable Stars for Astronomy Education and Development

Transactions of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0251107x0000047x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 88-94

Author(s):

Janet A. Mattei ◽

John R. Percy

Keyword(s):

Variable Stars ◽

International Database ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

Wide Range ◽

Hands On ◽

Measurement And Analysis ◽

Astronomical Research ◽

University Level ◽

Education And Development ◽

Classroom Use

AbstractAmateur astronomers, and students, can contribute to astronomical research by measuring the brightness of variable stars. Hands-On Astrophysics (HOA) is a project which uses the unique methods and the International Database of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) to develop and integrate a wide range of science, mathematical and computer skills, through the measurement and analysis of variable stars. It is very flexible and can be used at many levels, in many contexts — for classroom use from high school to university level, or for individual projects. In this paper we describe HOA, and how it can be used to promote international astronomy education and development, through research-based science education.

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Commission 38 (Exchange of astronomers) and Commission 46 (Teaching of astronomy): two commissions that played a unique role in the history and development of the IAU

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921319000498 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (S349) ◽

pp. 374-387

Author(s):

John B. Hearnshaw

Keyword(s):

Social Change ◽

Working Group ◽

International School ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

Unique Role ◽

Hands On ◽

History Of ◽

Education And Development ◽

General Secretary ◽

Active Change

AbstractThe founding and development of two commissions of the IAU that played a unique role in IAU history are traced. Commission 38 for the Exchange of astronomers was founded in 1946 with Frederick Stratton as first president, and it expended funds (initially granted by UNESCO) for astronomers to travel on exchange visits. Commission 46 for the Teaching of astronomy was founded in 1964 with Evry Schatzmann as first president. This was a time of rapidly growing interest in the IAU for teaching astronomy and in due course for promoting astronomy in developing countries. For a while, both commissions operated under the wing of the Executive Committee. Their role was unique as they were the only IAU commissions to have their own budget, as well as aspiring to bring about social change in the astronomical community. By 2000 both commissions merged into C46 (Astronomy education and development) and by that time various programmes such as the International School for Young Astronomers (ISYA), the working group World-wide Development of Astronomy (WWDA) and the working group Teaching Astronomy for Development (TAD), which grew out of the Visiting Lecturers’ Program (VLP), were all run by C46. When the IAU established the Office of Astronomy for Development in 2011, many of these functions were removed from the commission and in any case C46 ceased to exist in 2015 when all the old commissions were disestablished. In 2015 the Office for Young Astronomers took over the running of the ISYA. The history of C38 and C46 represents a time of active change in the way the IAU was engaging with people. It was more than just a union for scientific research, but in the world of scientific unions, it was remarkable for taking an active hands-on role in implementing social change. In the history of these two commissions, the Swiss astronomer Edith Müller played a leading dynamic role. She served as president of C46 (1967-73), of C38 (1985-88) as well as IAU General Secretary (1976-79).

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Before OAD

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921319000504 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (S349) ◽

pp. 388-393

Author(s):

Alan H. Batten

Keyword(s):

United Nations ◽

Executive Committee ◽

Working Group ◽

International Schools ◽

Outer Space ◽

Vice President ◽

General Assembly ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

Education And Development ◽

Year 2000

AbstractOAD, the Office of Astronomy for Development, one of the most significant innovations within the IAU, was created at the XXVII General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2009 and opened in 2011. The new office brought together and strengthened several activities of the IAU aimed at helping astronomers in developing or isolated countries to keep in touch with their colleagues elsewhere and up-to-date with the developments in our science. Those activities were mediated through the old commission structure by Commission 38 (Exchange of Astronomers) and Commission 46 (Astronomy Education and Development) which oversaw the International Schools of Young Astronomers (ISYA), the Visiting Lecturer Programme (VLP) and Teaching for Astronomy Development (TAD). In addition, Jorge Sahade, during his term as IAU President (1985–1988), formed the Working Group for the Promotion and Development of Astronomy, as a sub-committee of the Executive Committee, and asked the present writer, then a Vice-President, to act as chair. That Working Group (later renamed the Working Group for the Worldwide Development of Astronomy, WGWWDA) operated within the context of the already existing services of the IAU and in cooperation with the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS). In this paper, the writer gives an account of the activities of the WGWWDA both during and between General Assemblies, until the year 2000, shortly after which he relinquished responsibility for them.

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C46 ‘ASTRONOMY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT’: A PECULIAR COMMISSION

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921316000764 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (T29A) ◽

pp. 205-208

Author(s):

Jean-Pierre de Greve ◽

Beatriz García ◽

Michèle Gerbaldi ◽

Roger Ferlet ◽

Edward Guinan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Committee ◽

Working Group ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

Education And Development ◽

Education Outreach

C46 was a Commission of the Executive Committee of the IAU under Division XII (Union-Wide Activities), then after 2012 under Division C (Education, Outreach, and Heritage). It was the only commission dealing exclusively with astronomy education; a previous Commission 38 (Exchange of Astronomers), which allocated travel grants to astronomers who needed them, and a Working Group on the Worldwide Development of Astronomy, have been absorbed by Commission 46.

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Astronomy for international development

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921311002821 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 5 (S260) ◽

pp. 539-546

Author(s):

George Miley

Keyword(s):

Capacity Building ◽

International Development ◽

Strategic Plan ◽

Development Programs ◽

Global State ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

Astronomical Research ◽

Research And Education ◽

Education And Development

AbstractThis review deals with the importance of astronomy for international development a nd capacity building. I shall summarize the present global state of astronomical research and education and describe current global astronomy education and development programs being carried out by the IAU and others. A decadal strategic plan will be described that envisages a substantial increase in IAU education and development activities during the next decade.

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Commission 46: Astronomy Education and Development (Education Et Developpement En Astronomie)

Transactions of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s0251107x00001772 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 420-430

Author(s):

Syuzo Isobe ◽

Jay Pasachoff ◽

Julieta Fierro ◽

Alan Batten ◽

Don Wentzel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Development Education ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

Education And Development

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COMMISSION 46: ASTRONOMY EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921308026008 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 4 (T27A) ◽

pp. 424-428

Author(s):

Magdalena G. Stavinschi ◽

Rosa M. Ros ◽

Jay M. Pasachoff ◽

Johannes Andersen ◽

Susana E. Deustua ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Astronomy Education ◽

The World ◽

Education And Development

Commission 46 continues its task in the triennium, which started in September 2006. It seeks to further contribute to the development and improvement of astronomical education at all levels all over the world through various projects initiated, maintained and to be developed by the Commission, and by disseminating information concerning astronomy education.

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Special Session 2 Innovation in teaching and learning astronomy

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921307011751 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 2 (14) ◽

pp. 541-576 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Rosa M. Ros ◽

Jay M. Pasachoff

Keyword(s):

Information Technology ◽

Teaching And Learning ◽

General Assembly ◽

Special Session ◽

Astronomy Education ◽

The Public ◽

Teaching Learning ◽

Education And Development ◽

Effective Use ◽

School Curricula

AbstractOn August 17 and 18, 2006, Commission 46 on Astronomy Education and Development held a Special Session at the IAU XXVI General Assembly in Prague. The session, on Innovation in Teaching/Learning Astronomy, was organized around four themes: (i) general strategies for effective teaching, (ii) connecting astronomy with the public, (iii) effective use of instruction and information technology, and (iv) practical issues connected with the implementation of the 2003 IAU Resolution that recommended including astronomy in school curricula, assisting schoolteachers in their training and backup, and informing them about available resources. Approximately 40 papers were presented orally; in addition, 60 poster papers were displayed.

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