Teaching children astronomy?

Mik3 · 6 Jul 2008 at 19:56

Thanks Jaydee, some very good suggestions there. I'm definitely going to try a competition now, maybe which team can point out the various constellations.

Nitefly · 6 Jul 2008 at 20:02

Mik3 said:
Thanks Jaydee, some very good suggestions there. I'm definitely going to try a competition now, maybe which team can point out the various constellations.

That would be good fun if you did it with the parents helping the children.

DB_SamX · 6 Jul 2008 at 20:14

Take them to a planetarium. INTECH at Winchester is the one of the best in the country, if not the best.

Mik3 · 6 Jul 2008 at 20:20

Angilion said:
I think the age mix of the people will be a problem - you have 9-11 year old children and some parents. It's hard to create a lesson that appeals to both children and adults. I taught adults - it's much easier.

Yeah I think its going to be difficult to keep both interested. I think I'll try to keep the science to a minimal and concentrate on the make-up of the planets in our solar system, keeping it very simple.

PhillyDee · 6 Jul 2008 at 21:22

How about using a projector screen or something similar with Stellarium on it to help people out. More for older kids and parents. Oh, and can i play with your scopes? Ive only got a 3" reflector (Ideal for the planets and moon). Jupiter is looking quite nice in the sky and is bright enough to get people interested.

Macro · 6 Jul 2008 at 21:45

Use some of the narrated tours on World Wide Telecope and then follow up observing the same phenonema with a real scope?

Cybermyk · 6 Jul 2008 at 22:28

I remember around five years ago telling my kids why the clouds look pink in the evening/morning and several adults who were there at the time saying they'd never even thought about it.

A friend pointed out the 'brigthest star' to my kids a few years back but was completely blown away when I told her it was actually a planet, venus.

Kids seem to take it all in better than adults