ATNF Outreach
ATNF teacher workshops
One of the strategic objectives of the ATNF is to conduct an effective outreach and education program. Astronomy generates a high level of public interest and is well-suited to encouraging the next generation of students towards a science-based career. The ATNF education program provides educational resources for astronomy, in particular for Australian high schools. These include the ATNF outreach and education website at http://outreach.atnf.csiro.au and a range of workshops for high school teachers.
Two successful workshops for teachers were held recently. Astrophysics for Physics Teachers was a one-day workshop for teachers of HSC Physics held at the Marsfield site on Saturday, 5 March. 21 teachers participated and heard talks on cosmology and stellar evolution from ATNF and AAO staff. They also learned some innovative and practical ways to present the concepts in class and went back to their schools with a wealth of resources to use.
The second Astronomy from the Ground Up! workshop was held at Parkes on 13 – 15 May in gloriously sunny weather. 24 teachers and two staff members from the Parkes Visitors Centre attended. The workshop included talks on a range of astronomical topics, explored the latest in astronomy education resources and activities. Participants also learnt how to run a viewing night and find their way around the night sky. Ample time was allowed for discussions with professional scientists and colleagues. Highlights included a walk on the surface of the Dish, a "hayride" back down and a magnificent "Dinner by the Dish" at the Parkes Dish Cafe.
The ATNF together with the Western Australian Office of Science and Innovation, Scitech in Perth and the Science Teachers' Association of WA provided funds for two scholarships to enable teachers to come from Western Australia for the workshop. The two teachers awarded scholarships were Darren Hamley from Willeton Senior High School and Lance Taylor from Rockingham Senior High School in Perth. Both gave interesting talks to the other teachers about teaching astronomy in the classroom.
Narrabri Visitors Centre
Plans for the development of the Visitors Centre at Narrabri are progressing well. Designs for a range of new displays, including interpretive panels, sculptures and other exhibits have now been completed by the company Convergence Design, in consultation with ATNF staff. The new displays will be located in the grounds around the Visitors Centre building and will provide visitors with a wealth of information about the Compact Array, the Narrabri site, the ATNF, CSIRO and astronomy. Several sculptures will be installed to show visitors three-dimensional models of the Magellanic Clouds, radio galaxies and the expanding universe. These, together with interpretive panels, will lead visitors on a tour from our Galaxy to the distant universe. Other exhibits will show the more technical side of radio astronomy with information provided about radio waves and how radio telescopes work.
The construction work for the Visitors Centre is expected to begin in June and the on-site installation to be completed by early September.
Jessica Chapman and Rob Hollow
(Jessica.Chapman@csiro.au) and (Rob.Hollow@csiro.au)