Provision of lecturing material for Scottish secondary schools
Astronomy is often a minor or even missing part of the standard school curriculum in many European countries. Obviously, astronomy needs to compete here with other physical disciplines which are equally important. However, astronomy is special in a way that it can teach us about very large and very small spatial scales and timescales; about light and particles; and about studying the universe with wavelengths our eyes can see or cannot see, without being able to touch the objects of study.
In 2015, a new curriculum for Advanced Higher Physics in Scottish secondary schools was released which includes, for the first time, stellar physics and general relativity.
In November 2015, PI Woitke was invited to provide in-service training for teachers (INSET meeting), reaching about 60 high-school physics teachers in Fife, Scotland. After the three training sessions, it became clear that the school teachers are right now looking actively for suitable lecturing material, so Woitke created this webpage. The link provides some selected lecturing material covering the sun, basic stellar parameters (stellar radius, luminosity, effective temperature, spectral flux, Stefan-Boltzmann law, apparent and absolute brightness), basic assumptions in stellar atmosphere and stellar structure theory, including nuclear fusion reactions, position and classification in the Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram, as well as some insight into stellar evolution, final stages of stellar evolution, and the cosmic cycle of matter. It includes a selection of simple astronomical questions about stars and provides answers in an extra document.
Outreach Activities in Schools and Observatories
2015
18 Nov 2015 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
13 Nov 2015 Kirkcaldy High School, UK
Teaching of Stellar Physics in the ‘Advanced Higher Physics’ course
In-service training for secondary-school physics teachers in Fife, UK
Peter Woitke
7 Nov 2015 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
Open Night at the St Andrews Observatory
Laura Rigon, Nathalie Thureau
26 Oct 2015 Leslie Primary School, Glenrothes, UK
Planetarium Show
Laura Rigon
21 Oct 2015 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Open Night at the Observatory
Stefano Antonellini
23 Sep 2015 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
2 Apr 2015 Hanzehogeschool, Groningen, NL
Techniek Toernooi Noordelijke Provincies (Juror groep 3-4)
Inga Kamp
28 Mar 2015 Kapteyn Institute, University of Groningen, NL
Nationale Sterrenkijkdagen – Space Expo Guide
Inga Kamp
20 Mar 2015 RUG/Infoversum, University of Groningen, NL
Solar Eclipse event
Inga Kamp
7 Mar 2015 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
Open Night at the St Andrews Observatory
Laura Rigon
7 Feb 2015 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
University of St Andrews: Space School
Laura Rigon
22 Jan 2015 Scout Group, Cupar, UK
Planets and Constellations
Laura Rigon
2014
10 Dec 2014 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
29 Nov 2014 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
Open Night at the St Andrews Observatory
John Ilee, Laura Rigon
28 Nov 2014 Astronomical Institute, Amsterdam, NL
Sterrenkijkavonden – Ask an astronomer
Michiel Min
12 Nov 2014 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
8 Nov 2014 Phlippus Lansbergen Sterrenwacht, Middelburg, NL
Rosetta
Rens Waters
21 Oct 2014 Day Care Centre in Amsterdam, NL
Astronomy talk for children – Comets
Michiel Min
15 Oct 2014 Cardenden Primary School, Cardenden, UK
Rosetta & Philae
John Ilee
4 Oct 2014 Astronomical Institute, Amsterdam, NL
Open Day – Make your own comet
Michiel Min
5 Jun 2014 Methilhill Primary School, Methil, UK
Planetarium Show
Laura Rigon
25 Apr 2014 Astronomical Institute, Amsterdam, NL
Sterrenkijkavonden – Stargazing
Michiel Min
17 Mar 2014 St Columba Primary School, Cupar, UK
Planets and Constellations
Laura Rigon
12 Mar 2014 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
8 Mar 2014 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
Open Night at the St Andrews Observatory
John Ilee, Laura Rigon
19 Feb 2014 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
29 Jan 2014 Bell Baxter High School, Cupar, UK
Lab in a Lorry
Laura Rigon
15 Jan 2014 Blaauw Observatory, Groningen, NL
Sterrenkijkdagen – Observations of planets and deep sky objects
Stefano Antonellini
2013
30 Nov 2013 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
Ask an astronomer about Star and Planet Formation
Peter Woitke
20 Sep 2013 Cardenden Primary School, Cardenden, UK
Planetarium Show
John Ilee
17 Sep 2013 Praedinius Gymnasium, Groningen, NL
Formation of planets
Inga Kamp
2012
1 Dec 2012 Observatory, University of St Andrews, UK
Ask an astronomer about Star and Planet Formation
Peter Woitke
12 Nov 2012 Cardenden Primary School, Cardenden, UK
Stars & Planets
John Ilee
31 Oct 2012 George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, UK
Women in Science
Laura Rigon
26 Sep 2012 Thornton Primary School, Thornton, UK
Planetarium Show
Laura Rigon
22-24 Jun 2012 Royal Highland Show, Ingliston, Edinburgh, UK
Planetarium Show
Laura Rigon