Access to Astrophysical Research by Secondary Students

W. Bruce McAdam, PASA, 17 (2), 168.

Next Section: Conclusion
Title/Abstract Page: Access to Astrophysical Research
Previous Section: Public Access
Contents Page: Volume 17, Number 2

Individual Access

There are several ways for an individual student to talk with a research astronomer -- at lectures, during work experience visits, at science schools, and through computer links with the web and e-mail. ASA members cooperate in all these activities.

$\bullet$ Lecture series to schools, societies or the public, such as the 1999 Women in Physics lecture tour by Prof Jocelyn Bell Burnell (arranged by the Australian Institute of Physics), have the potential to stimulate all science students (perhaps 20 000) in a year. Even a brief personal talk before or after a lecture can lead to e-mail or postal exchanges that continue over a longer time.

The National Committee for Physics (1993, p50) recommended: `` A register of physicists who are willing to speak in schools, and of laboratories which are willing to host school visits, should be established in order to assist the promotion of education and careers in physics, particularly for women.'' This register now exists in Canberra, but there are few astronomers listed.

$\bullet$ Work experience visits (5-10 each year for hospitable departments) give students an insight into the current research process through posters, and attendance at colloquia and staff meetings.

$\bullet$ Science Schools offer a series of lectures and workshops to students over one or two weeks. Meeting with like-minded students is equally valuable. The 30th Professor Harry Messel International Science School was held in July 1999 (just before this ASA conference) bringing together 100 students from Australia and 40 from China, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, United Kingdom and USA. There were three astronomers among the 11 lecturers. Friendships made at such schools last for decades.

$\bullet$ Distance learning courses reach students in remote schools scattered across a state or nation and even across frontiers. In 1992 the Board of Studies in NSW commissioned outlines for nine courses at first-year university level to extend gifted and talented pupils within the NSW education system. Three of these were introduced in 1994 -- Comparative Literature, Philosophy and Cosmology. Each is a full 2-unit HSC course taken in one year (Hollow et al., 1994). The Cosmology Distinction Course was studied in 1999 by 32 students through distance learning with Charles Sturt University. Access to astrophysicists is achieved in two ways. First, all students have e-mail contact with each other and with the course coordinator in Bathurst, astronomer David McKinnon, who refers research questions to ASA members on the course committee. Second, all students come together for two `residentials' in the year. The first is based at Coonabarabran over five days in February, and includes visits to Parkes, Siding Spring, Mopra and Narrabri where astronomers show details of seven major telescopes and talk of new techniques and projects. The second residential is held at Sydney on a weekend in June when four astronomers lecture to, and then discuss their current research with students. This personal contact is an essential part of the Distinction Course and is a major factor in the success of the course.

$\bullet$ As students become familiar with the internet, there is increasing use of Australian and international databases. Almost all astronomy groups in Australia have web servers and post details of their current research programs. This web access is efficient for both astronomer and student. If necessary, further contact is then possible through e-mail.


Next Section: Conclusion
Title/Abstract Page: Access to Astrophysical Research
Previous Section: Public Access
Contents Page: Volume 17, Number 2

Welcome... About Electronic PASA... Instructions to Authors
ASA Home Page... CSIRO Publishing PASA
Browse Articles HOME Search Articles
© Copyright Astronomical Society of Australia 1997
ASKAP
Public