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Galileo Teacher Training Program Armenian website
Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP) started in 2009 and was one of the International
Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA-2009) cornerstone projects aiming at creation
of a worldwide network of certified “Galileo
Ambassadors” and "Galileo Teachers". GTTP successfully continues after
IYA-2009 in frame of the project Beyond
IYA-2009 and is now an official educational
program of the International
Astronomical Union (IAU) and part of the "IAU Decadal Strategic Plan” in 2010-2020.
Galileo Ambassadors are equipped to train other teachers in these methodologies, leveraging
the work begun during IYA2009 in classrooms everywhere.
Galileo Teachers receive training in the
effective use and transfer of astronomy education tools and resources into
classroom science curricula and disseminate this knowledge among their peers.
Through workshops, online training tools and basic education kits, the
products and techniques developed by this programme can be adapted to reach
locations with few resources of their own, as well as computer-connected areas
that can take advantage of access to robotic optical and radio telescopes,
webcams, astronomy exercises, cross-disciplinary resources, image processing
and digital universes (web and desktop planetariums).
Astronomy teaching at schools in Armenia
Till 2008-2009 astronomy in Armenian schools was taught only at the 10th
(graduation) form and only 1 hour weekly. The program was followed according to
S. Nersisyan’s textbook and consisted of the following chapters: 1) Starry sky,
2) Structure of the Solar system, 3) Solar system bodies and their physical
nature, 4) Sun and stars, 5) Structure and evolution of the Universe, 6)
Achievements of the Armenian astronomy, and 7) Auxiliary tables.
In 2009-2010, Astronomy was subtracted from the school program as a
separate subject. In the new (12-year education) program for the moment it was
included as a part of physics only in the 9th form textbook with 17
hours course. It involves the simplest astronomical understanding and has the
following topics:
1. Astronomy and its sections
2. Geocentric and Heliocentric systems of the world
3. Observations form the basis of astronomy
4. Calendar
5. Methods of study of astronomy
6. Measurements of stellar distances
7. Constellations
8. Structure and sizes of the Universe
9. Sun
10. Moon
11. Lunar and Solar eclipses
12. Planets and moons
13. Earth
14. Mars
15. Giant planets
16. Dwarf planets
17. Life and intelligence in the Universe
In addition, at some special schools, e.g. at the Al. Shahinyan
phys-math school attached to the Yerevan State University (YSU), “Qauntum”
lyceum, Anania Shirakatsi school, etc., for development of astronomy and
dissemination of astronomical knowledge at pupils, promotion of international
contacts in astronomy, with a goal of education, as well as for possibly best
appearance at international Olympiads, beside the astronomical teaching, special
ex-classroom astronomical groups were organized, where the children get
deeper knowledge. This knowledge becomes stronger by solving theoretical and
practical problems, as well as observations at the Byurakan Astrophysical
Observatory (BAO) are being carried out. The pupils learn using such
observational programs as Stellarium,
Star Calc, Cybersky, SkyMap Pro, etc. It is joyful that also pupils
themselves write programs. For example, software related to Messier objects has
been written.
Thus, new methods in education are being applied and developed:
using projectors, telescopes, astronomical software, videos/movies, practical
exercises, outdoor activities, etc.
Pupils attending astronomical group are also getting acquainted to
important works by professional astronomers at BAO and to real conditions.
Their attention is especially being invited to modern problems of astronomy.
During the recent years, these teenagers also actively participate in courses
of the Byurakan International Summer Schools, where leading scientists from
different world astronomical centres teach.
Each year Armenian
National Astronomical Olympiads are being organized in Armenia;
pre-selction competitions are being organized at schools and regional centres
and the final stage is being held in Byurakan, There is a special jury
consisting mainly of the Byurakan scientists that judges the results and announces
the winners. The winners participate in the International Astronomical
Olympiads (IAO) organized by the Euro-Asian Astronomical Society (EAAS).
Textbooks used for teaching astronomy at schools in Armenia (in original
languages):
Кононович, Мороз – Общий курс астрономии // Москва, 2004.
Chaisson, McMillan – Astronomy Today // New Jersey, 1998.
H.
Karttunen – Fundamental Astronomy // Springer-Verlag, Berlin - Heidelberg - New York, 1996.
Don
Maoz – Astrophysics in a Nutshell // Princeton University
Press,
2007.
Р.А. Сюнаев (ред.) – Физика Космоса (маленькая
энциклопедия) // Москва, 1986.
B.
Argly (ed.) – Observing and measuring visual double stars // Waterbach, Cambridgeshire, 2003.
В.В. Иванов, А.В. Кривов,
П.А. Денисенков – Парадоксальная Вселенная. 250 задач по астрономии
//
Санкт-Петербург, 2001.
Б. Воронцов-Веляминов – Сборник задач и практических
упражнений по астрономии // Москва.
Д. Мартынов – Сборник задач по астрофизики // Москва.
М.М. Дагаев - Сборник задач по астрономии
// Москва, 1980.
В.Г. Сурдин – Астрономические олимпиады // Москва, 1995.
М.Г. Гаврилов – Задачи. IV
// Москва, 1998.
In addition, various Internet websites with useful astronomical
information are being offered to pupils to update their knowledge and learn how
astronomy is being done at the international level.
The Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS) has produced a DVD called “Astronomy
for students”, where a lot of useful astronomical information, textbooks,
review papers, software, photos, Internet links, etc. have been included.
Though it is intended mainly for the University students, anyway it will be
distributed to the abovementioned special schools to facilitate the teaching
for those pupils who aims at becoming professional astronomers.
Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia
Astronomical Education in Armenia
Armenian
National Astronomical Olympiads
International
Astronomical Olympiads (IAO)
GTTP Activities in Armenia
2009
A training workshop for school teachers to teach modern astronomical
educational methods was organized at Yerevan Physical-Mathematical school with
a short visit to Byurakan. 30 teachers participated. It included using
projectors, small telescopes, astronomical software, videos/movies, practical
exercises, outdoor activities, etc. for education. A special emphasis was made
on using modern Internet websites for teaching to have permanent update of the
knowledge and information.
2010
A teacher training workshops is planned for July at the Yerevan
Physical-Mathematical school. Some 30 teachers will participate. A proposal to
GTTP is being prepared. GTTP certificates will be awarded to Galileo teachers.
Contacts
Marietta Gyulzadian (GTTP Official Point of Contact in Armenia)
Areg Mickaelian (Armenian Coordinator of IYA-2009 and Beyond-IYA)
Haik Harutyunian (IAU Commission #46 National Liaison in Armenia)
Related international organizations
International Astronomical Union (IAU)
IAU
Commission #46: Astronomy Education and Development
United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
European Association
for Astronomy Education (EAAE)
Other related IYA-2009 projects