Forum on Space Science and Education

International Space Science Institute

Bern , 12-13 June 2007

Space Science in Education - Situation in Poland

Prof. Wojciech Nawrocik

Institute of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan, Poland

NSC „Science on Stage”

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In Poland several years ago

6-year primary schools and

3-year gymnasia were introduced.

Secondary education is provided in

3-year general lyceums

or in vocational secondary schools

such as

3-year specialized lyceums

and 4-year secondary technical schools.

In addition, there are 2-3-year basic vocational schools

Number of schools, pupils, and teachers in the school year 2004/2005

Type of school schools pupils teachers

Gymnasia 6171 1611537 120900

General lyceum 2517 746627 49900

Technicum and 3984 615263 40800

specialised lyceum

Basic vocational 1844 239175 12600

School

The main objective of general secondary education is to:

„Help pupils to understand and not only to memorize relevant

information,

Help pupils to develop an ability to observe particular

relations (causality, as well as function, time and space

based relations),

Support pupils in the development of an analytical and

synthetic thinking,

Enable pupils to use practical information and knowledge in

an integral way leading to the better understanding of the

world, people and oneself,”...

In Poland there is no special space science programme at schools.

Some information about space science achievements are reported on physics and astronomy or geography lessons at gimnasium and liceum.

After all teachers and pupils are interested in space science and willingly participate at competitions and festivals organized by astronomers and physicists.

As examples one can indicate European Festivals „Universe and Life”, „Physics on Stage” and”Science on Stage”.

The initiatives of EIROforum members to show teachers and pupils a modern science, including the space science, are extremely important because give teachers and pupils the opportunity to touch Big Science.

Last time a lot of local science festivals are organized in

Poland. Always space science is attractive subject of these

festivals.

Very active role in space science propaganda play Center of

Cosmic Investigations PAS, Nikolai Copernicus Astronomical

Centre PAS, Astronomical Observatories of Polish

universities, Astronautic chair at Warsaw Technical

University, Centre of Theoretical Physics PAS, Institute of

Physics Szczecin University.

Very important are enthusiasm of teachers who are interested

in space science and transfer his interest to their

pupils.Often these activities have international dimension.

One of the example is „Hands-On Universe, Europe”

Observations from Arizona, with the remotely controlled

telescope Ironwood North Observatory (INO).

„The truly simple Web interface of this telescope, allowed us

to take pictures of  Messier’s objects, well-known certainly,

but always so spectacular. This was just our first observing

session, one hour and half long. The firsts pictures were

black and white (M27, M51, M101). Then, we tried the colour

procedure - a set of filter is available – with four images

LRVB: thus we could get M57’s colors.

Thank you to Anne Laure Melchior (UPMC-France) and Lech

Mankiewicz (Center for Theoretical Physics PAS, Warsaw-

Poland), who guided us, step by step, in handling this

instrument” the students said.

In Poland we consider as very important ESA declaration: „Since the foundation of the European Space Agency, education and outreach have been a fundamental part of its mandate ESA is conscious that it can play a significant role in contributing to a scientifically literate and aware society, and that it has both a responsibility and a vested interest in doing so.

In recent years, the subject of education has become a reason for concern because of the decreasing number of students in such disciplines, and the negative consequences that this trend might have on our society.

This is even more critical as Europe strives to become the leading knowledge-based society of the 21 st century. For this reason, ESA is today increasing its education efforts in a coordinated fashion, which will ensure that all aspects of space (human spaceflight, space science, earth observation…) are well represented.”  

What we expect from European space science institutions:

1. Teacher visits to these institutions

2. Organization of student visit to these institutions

3. Preparation and dissemination of high level tutorial

materials about space science

4. Organization of European festivals and competitions for

teachers and pupils on space science

5. Creation of interesting space science web pages

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