[AstroNet] AstroNet Digest, Vol 23, Issue 9

[Bipin Prag]

Greetings Everyone
I have an amateur interest in astronomy and am a parent at a local school
and thought some practical input that may be of some interest to this
discussion.

Im sure someone may have thought this through, but here are some of my
observations

Background

>Schools are essentially divided into Junior and High schools, with learners
usually in age appropriate bands per grade, eg Grade 1 = 7yrs, Grade 4 =
9-10yrs, Grade 7 = 12-13yrs, and similar with high schools - the point here
is that activites should be age appropriate
>not all schools have a science department with some disadvantaged schools
having almost nil or limited science resources.
>Due to security, lack of after hours transport and day time available
mostly, stargazing is not practical
>In the Cape, schools close 11am on 3rd April so practically only 2 April is
available for them to participate in '100 Hours of Astronomy'

Suggestion

>Whomever is co-ordinating the school outreach needs to contact a teacher
who can assit with a worksheet applicable to grades or even two generic age
appropriate worksheets for Junior and High School.
>this roll out can be done via the Department of Education as im sure they
have a system to communicate with schools and a distribution network.
Another idea is for someone to call up the HOD of Science at each school and
once the kit is ready for it to be couriered.  Im sure the Department of
Science and Technology has resources for this
>Kids love building things, so if someone can design a telescope kit made up
of recycalable or inexpensive carboard tubes like SAAO used to have would be
excellant.  Most Post-nets and post offices sell the carboard cylinders in
various sizes, all one needs is a set of instructions, materials to purchase
and more importantly 2 lenses will have to be supplied.
>the easiest way to get the roll-out to schools is for someone to call up
the HOD of Science at each school and once the kit is ready for it to be
couriered.  Im sure the Department of Science and Technology has resources
for this
>Lastly, from my own experience one needs the buy-in from the Headmaster and
the HOD of Science

My personal view is that it would be great for each school to be
equipped/supplied with a proper telescope, but considering that most schools
would do a day time activity a powerful telescope is not requried as the
objective is not so much what is being viewed, but how it works and anything
that has to be constructed or put together is a fun activity.  If we cant
make 2nd April event with schools, its still worthy to consider for later in
the year embracing the Astronomy 2009 theme.

Anyway, I hope my 2 cents on the matter gives some perspective.  Space
exploration and Astronomy is at the forefront to innovation in science and
technology and anything to do with the subject fascinates children which is
a fantastic medium to inspire them to increase their love for mathematics
and science.

Thanks guys for promoting this wonderful initiative

Best Wishes

Bipin







2009/3/11 <astronet-request at mail.saasta.ac.za>

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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Re: Galileoscope discussion (Maciej Soltynski)
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>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 11:08:32 +0200
> From: "Maciej Soltynski" <Maciej at telkomsa.net>
> To: <astronet at mail.saasta.ac.za>
> Subject: Re: [AstroNet] Galileoscope discussion
> Message-ID: <C688E6C11DE342D28A75CE7973390F7C at mgsp428g>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> I strongly agree with Rupert. All that is necessary is the objective lens
> and the eyepiece lens. The rest should be a project for the kids / educator
> / interested amateur.
>
> If money is to be spent for a complete optical system, then surely
> binoculars should be considered?
>
> Maciej
>  ....
>
>  I think there is far greater reward in being able to "create" a
>  telescope then to be handed it on a plate. Not only will kids learn
>  about technical problems and that they are capable of solving it
>  themselves but they may be inspired to go further, instead of
>  believing that every thing comes from some far off land. Give them a
>  lesson in the alignment of the optics and the only thing not readily
>  available- the optics.
>  I am sure their are capable people in this mailing list who could
>  build a telescope out of some cardboard or sticks and sticky tape! A
>  tripod can be made from a string hanging from a tree, or three
>  broomsticks tied together? ...
>
>  Rupert
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