ATNF outreach

New outreach positions

One of the strategic objectives of the ATNF is to conduct an effective outreach program. Astronomy generates a high level of public interest and is ideally suited to promoting science and to encouraging the next generation of students towards a science-based career. The ATNF is fortunate to have high public profile in Australia, in particular for the Parkes radio telescope, which since the release in October 2000 of the movie The Dish, has had an almost iconic status. The primary Public Outreach goals for the ATNF are to attract young people into science; to raise the profile of science in Australia and to maintain and foster good relations with our local communities. The ATNF's public outreach program is wide-ranging and includes the operation of Visitors Centres at the Parkes and Narrabri Observatories, educational programs, publications and promotional materials, public talks and media interviews, and special events such as Open Days in Sydney and at the Observatories.

Following discussions with the user community and the ATNF Steering Committee, we are currently expanding our outreach activities. Two outreach positions have recently been advertised. One is for an Education Officer who will develop and support educational resources and outreach programs in astronomy and associated technologies, in particular for high-school students and teachers. This position will be based at the ATNF headquarters in Marsfield, Sydney. The second position is for a Centre Manager at the Parkes Visitors Centre, with a coordination role between the Parkes and Narrabri Visitors Centres. The number of visitors to Parkes has risen dramatically in recent years from approximately 55,000 in 1999 to 135,000 in 2002. We aim to improve the facilities provided to our visitors at both our Visitors Centres and to improve the coordination between outreach activities at our different sites. Both the new outreach positions attracted an excellent response, with many applications. We look forward to announcing the new appointments in the near future and to starting some new outreach initiatives.

Jessica Chapman
(Jessica.Chapman@csiro.au)