Exploring the links between Physics and Astronomy education teaching and learning in the Philippines

Students consider physics to be one of the most prevalent and troublesome topics since they find physics to be a challenging course in high school and become more deceptive when they have it as an undergraduate course. The Rizal Technological University (RTU) in the Philippines offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs in astronomy. The university utilizes physics diagnostic tests to classify students’ suitability towards the course as RTU houses the Philippines’ most advanced optical telescopes and the Center for Astronomy Research and Development. The latter was established through the Department of Science and Technology to promote a research hub in the field of astronomy and space science, as well as providing support for research funding and scholarships. The study performed causal-comparative research design and correlational analytics toward students’ attitude and motivation, study habits, learning styles, professor factors, social factors, and academic grades in physics and astronomy. The study explored the links between physics and astronomy and revealed their faith in their study habits in both astronomy and physics. The findings of this study provide evidence of the link of physics and astronomy education in students’ academic programs and its value from the previous learnings of students and teaching of teachers as a critical role in predicting student performance. The increased enrolment in the academic program demonstrates the validity of the above-mentioned statements, as it enticed students to pursue astronomy as their scientific career. Other efforts are discussed in detail in this paper.

Determining students’ mental models about the sun, earth and moon celestial objects for sustainable learning in astronomy education in Libya

The study aims to reveal students' mental models and perceptions regarding the concept of the celestial bodies, for instance, earth, sun, and moon. This research study was conducted as a case study focusing on qualitative data. This study also has used a sample formed of 5th-grade students, in the 2018–2019 academic year; the target sample is formed from 50 students at an elementary school in Libya. This study aimed to use the data collection tool, in addition, a test with three open-ended questions was used. Also, according to primitive, synthesis as well as scientific models, the data classification was used and analyzed. The result of this practical study has demonstrated that all the target samples have a synthesis of mental models that are not sufficiently compatible with scientific knowledge.

AN EXTENSIBLE FRAMEWORK FOR OBSERVATORY SYSTEM BASED ON DOCKER CLOUD

Remote observatory is playing more and more important role in scientific research, astronomy education and citizen science. With many years' development, remote observatory whether hardware or software has made great progress. It supports single telescope well and has been very mature. For high utility rate of an observatory, more and more observatories has began to run multiple telescopes to provide more observation services. But it also takes some challenges, for example how to manage telescopes, how to manage lots of observers, how to update driver or application quickly and how to realize coordination and cooperation between different telescopes. After taking into full consideration of the problems, we propose an extensible framework for observatory system based on Docker cloud. It not only could solve that challenges from multi telescopes, but also could make software application to support more hardware platform easily.

Application of Computer Planetariums in the Astronomy Education

Children‘s interest in the stars and planets has always been great. Visiting planetariums and astronomical observatories is an exciting experience for them. Therefore, a great challenge for teachers is to maintain this interest and at the same time teach them the latest knowledge in astronomy. In the age of evolving computer technology, this is possible through the use of computer planetariums. These specialized software are able to „bring“ the starry sky into the classroom. There is a lot of evidence that the use of a computer planetarium in astronomy education leads to better results in the acquisition of knowledge by students.

Śladami ojca. Edukacja i kariera astronomiczna Christfrieda Kircha (1694–1740)

In His Father’s Footsteps. Christfried Kirch’s (1694–1740) Education and Career in Astronomy The activity of Christfried Kirch (1694–1740), son of Gottfried Kirch (1639–1710), the first astronomer of the Royal Prussian Society of Sciences, has not yet received much attention in historiography. Christfried Kirch’s astronomy education – beginning with the studies with his father, to the unfulfilled plans of visits to the observatories in England and France – culminated in his acceptance as an observer of the Royal Prussian Society of Sciences on October 8, 1716. The article aims to present the development of Christfried Kirch’s career and his efforts to achieve the position once held by his father in the Society of Sciences in Berlin.