Outreach and Education

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ICRAR is committed to working closely with schools, universities, industry and the community at large.

Through the creation and implementation of innovative and engaging programs ICRAR will:

  • inspire interest, understanding and participation in science.
  • encourage the uptake of science and technology related studies and careers.
  • raise awareness of radio astronomy and specifically the Square Kilometre Array and Australian SKA Pathfinder projects.
  • attract and retain trained researchers to contribute to the national and international science community.

Teachers

ICRAR will provide educators with resources, opportunities and engaging experiences that will assist them in the classroom to promote learning in disciplines related to science, computing, mathematics and engineering. These opportunities will include:

  • school incursions and excursions
  • educational resources (written, web-based and interactive)
  • professional development workshops and opportunities
  • special events (exhibitions, lectures, open days)
  • programs such as ‘Scientist in Schools’.

If you are a teacher you can download and print out the poster below to use in your classroom and to learn more about the Square Kilometre Array and radio astronomy.  To request a hard copy of the poster, send an email to education@icrar.org.

Students

ICRAR will develop and deliver a range of exciting opportunities to engage primary and secondary students in new and interesting ways to learn, interact and understand. Such opportunities will include:

  • Space Camp – an annual event for secondary schools coordinated by the Astronomy WA initiative
  • Web resources such as radio astronomy education modules on the Academy’s nova website
  • The "Out There" exhibition – a radio astronomy-themed, hands-on exhibition for schools
  • Access to web based interactive learning tools such as podcasts, vodcasts and educational flash games.

The educational community

By contributing and collaborating with organisations and entities with common educational and outreach objectives, ICRAR will support existing projects, programs and initiatives that aim to bring about exciting opportunities throughout the educational community.

To this end, and through relationships with Scitech, Spice, the Astronomy WA initiative and the CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility, ICRAR is already developing strong relationships throughout the State, country and beyond.

General public

Radio astronomy is a relatively new arm of science in which Australia has long played an important role.

To raise the general public’s awareness and understanding of this leading edge realm of science ICRAR will help develop and deliver a series of events and opportunities for the community at large to participate in, including events such as:

  • IYA 2009 Public Lecture Series - This series of free public lectures celebrates the UN International Year of Astronomy, which commemorates the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo
  • Astrofest – Taking place towards the end of the year, this special event for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) will bring thousands of people together on Edinburgh Oval and at Curtin University’s new sports centre for an astronomical extravaganza
  • Open days at Curtin and The University of Western Australia
  • Art exhibitions.

For more information see our news and events pages. Resources will be uploaded to this website as they become available.

 

ICRAR proudly supports the Astronomy WA iniative

Footnote links and information

  • The University of Western Australia
  • Curtin University

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Last updated
Friday, 25 June, 2010 3:14 PM
Website feedback
pete.wheeler@uwa.edu.au