GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren (Forwarded)

ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

Issued by RAS Press Officers:

Dr Robert Massey
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582

Anita Heward
Tel: +44 (0)1483 420904

NATIONAL ASTRONOMY MEETING PRESS ROOM (31 MARCH - 4 APRIL ONLY):
Tel: +44 (0)2890 975262 / 975263 / 975264

NAM 2008
http://nam2008.qub.ac.uk

Royal Astronomical Society
http://www.ras.org.uk

CONTACT

Professor Iwan Williams
School of Mathematical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5452

Sarah Harrison
Senior Product Development Leader
Edexcel
Tel: +44 (0)20 7190 4332

EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 BST, 1 April 2008

Ref.: PN 08/31 (NAM 22)

GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren

Students of all ages are showing their enthusiasm for astronomy, with more
people than ever choosing to study it at GCSE level. In a talk on Tuesday
1 April at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting in
Belfast, Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary University of London, will
describe the new syllabus for this qualification that has seen the number
of students taking it rise from around 250 in the early 1990s to more than
1200 today.

The increasingly popular course began life as 'O' level Astronomy in the
early 1980s and is taken by students in schools but also by adults who
study the qualification in evening classes. It is one of the only
qualifications in astronomy available at a level below an undergraduate
degree course.

The course has been revised recently and an updated and modified
specification will be taught from 2009 with the first cohort of students
taking the new exam in 2011. The new course will be divided into two
units: Understanding the Universe and Exploring the Universe.

Understanding the Universe is made up of four topics: Earth, Moon and Sun;
Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies and Cosmology. Students study
aspects of astronomy from lunar and solar eclipses to what makes the Earth
(and perhaps planets around stars) habitable and the prospect of life
elsewhere.

In the second unit, Exploring the Universe the students are expected to
carry out practical observations to study astronomical phenomena for
themselves. These can vary from simple daylight observations needing no
specialist equipment, such as the use of a shadow stick, to those
requiring more equipment such as a photographic record of a lunar eclipse.

Professor Williams comments, "It's wonderful to see so many people
choosing to study astronomy. Students are excited and inspired by the
wider Universe and this draws many of them to careers in science and
engineering in later life. The new specification brings in cutting-edge
ideas and offers a challenge to learners of all abilities."

FURTHER INFORMATION

* EdExcel
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/home/

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2008) is hosted by Queen's
University Belfast. It is principally sponsored by the RAS and the Science
and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). NAM 2008 is being held together
with the UK Solar Physics (UKSP) and Magnetosphere, Ionosphere and
Solar-Terrestrial (MIST) spring meetings.

"Andrew Yee" wrote in message
...
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

Issued by RAS Press Officers:

Dr Robert Massey
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582

Anita Heward
Tel: +44 (0)1483 420904

NATIONAL ASTRONOMY MEETING PRESS ROOM (31 MARCH - 4 APRIL ONLY):
Tel: +44 (0)2890 975262 / 975263 / 975264

NAM 2008
http://nam2008.qub.ac.uk

Royal Astronomical Society
http://www.ras.org.uk

CONTACT

Professor Iwan Williams
School of Mathematical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5452

Sarah Harrison
Senior Product Development Leader
Edexcel
Tel: +44 (0)20 7190 4332

EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 BST, 1 April 2008

Ref.: PN 08/31 (NAM 22)

GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren

Students of all ages are showing their enthusiasm for astronomy, with more
people than ever choosing to study it at GCSE level. In a talk on Tuesday
1 April at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting in
Belfast, Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary University of London, will
describe the new syllabus for this qualification that has seen the number
of students taking it rise from around 250 in the early 1990s to more than
1200 today.

The increasingly popular course began life as 'O' level Astronomy in the
early 1980s and is taken by students in schools but also by adults who
study the qualification in evening classes. It is one of the only
qualifications in astronomy available at a level below an undergraduate
degree course.

The course has been revised recently and an updated and modified
specification will be taught from 2009 with the first cohort of students
taking the new exam in 2011. The new course will be divided into two
units: Understanding the Universe and Exploring the Universe.

Understanding the Universe is made up of four topics: Earth, Moon and Sun;
Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies and Cosmology. Students study
aspects of astronomy from lunar and solar eclipses to what makes the Earth
(and perhaps planets around stars) habitable and the prospect of life
elsewhere.

In the second unit, Exploring the Universe the students are expected to
carry out practical observations to study astronomical phenomena for
themselves. These can vary from simple daylight observations needing no
specialist equipment, such as the use of a shadow stick, to those
requiring more equipment such as a photographic record of a lunar eclipse.

Professor Williams comments, "It's wonderful to see so many people
choosing to study astronomy. Students are excited and inspired by the
wider Universe and this draws many of them to careers in science and
engineering in later life. The new specification brings in cutting-edge
ideas and offers a challenge to learners of all abilities."

FURTHER INFORMATION

* EdExcel
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/home/

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2008) is hosted by Queen's
University Belfast. It is principally sponsored by the RAS and the Science
and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). NAM 2008 is being held together
with the UK Solar Physics (UKSP) and Magnetosphere, Ionosphere and
Solar-Terrestrial (MIST) spring meetings.



GCSE = "General Certificate of Secondary Education" usually gained at age 16
as a result of study, marked standardized continuous assessment and
practical work, and a national final examination. A prelude to A-level
study (though not in astronomy) which is used for University entry
qualifications at age 18.

--
Mike Dworetsky

(Remove pants sp*mbl*ck to reply)

Mike Dworetsky wrote:
"Andrew Yee" wrote in message
...
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

Issued by RAS Press Officers:

Dr Robert Massey
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582

Anita Heward
Tel: +44 (0)1483 420904

NATIONAL ASTRONOMY MEETING PRESS ROOM (31 MARCH - 4 APRIL ONLY):
Tel: +44 (0)2890 975262 / 975263 / 975264

NAM 2008
http://nam2008.qub.ac.uk

Royal Astronomical Society
http://www.ras.org.uk

CONTACT

Professor Iwan Williams
School of Mathematical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5452

Sarah Harrison
Senior Product Development Leader
Edexcel
Tel: +44 (0)20 7190 4332

EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 BST, 1 April 2008

Ref.: PN 08/31 (NAM 22)

GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren

Students of all ages are showing their enthusiasm for astronomy, with
more
people than ever choosing to study it at GCSE level. In a talk on Tuesday
1 April at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting in
Belfast, Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary University of London, will
describe the new syllabus for this qualification that has seen the number
of students taking it rise from around 250 in the early 1990s to more
than
1200 today.

I am surprised that take up for Astronomy O'level is as low as that. I'd
have hoped for 10x those numbers at least.

The increasingly popular course began life as 'O' level Astronomy in the
early 1980s and is taken by students in schools but also by adults who
study the qualification in evening classes. It is one of the only
qualifications in astronomy available at a level below an undergraduate
degree course.

This is factually incorrect. I took it at school in 1974 as a freebie
hobby based O'level with the London Board of Examiners (or some name
roughly like that long before it transmuted into EdExcel) and Astronomy
O'level had been going for a few years before that date. I had to travel
some distance to a specific location for the exam which was memorable
mainly because it snowed (strictly soft hail) on that June day.

The course has been revised recently and an updated and modified
specification will be taught from 2009 with the first cohort of students
taking the new exam in 2011. The new course will be divided into two
units: Understanding the Universe and Exploring the Universe.

Understanding the Universe is made up of four topics: Earth, Moon and
Sun;
Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies and Cosmology. Students study
aspects of astronomy from lunar and solar eclipses to what makes the
Earth
(and perhaps planets around stars) habitable and the prospect of life
elsewhere.

In the second unit, Exploring the Universe the students are expected to
carry out practical observations to study astronomical phenomena for
themselves. These can vary from simple daylight observations needing no
specialist equipment, such as the use of a shadow stick, to those
requiring more equipment such as a photographic record of a lunar
eclipse.

I'll bet they don't do spherical trig and coordinate transforms any
more. It was taught in both maths and astronomy O'level in my day.

Professor Williams comments, "It's wonderful to see so many people
choosing to study astronomy. Students are excited and inspired by the
wider Universe and this draws many of them to careers in science and
engineering in later life. The new specification brings in cutting-edge
ideas and offers a challenge to learners of all abilities."

Cannot disagree with that. But it is a shame when they don't appear to
know how long they have been offering this qualification.

GCSE = "General Certificate of Secondary Education" usually gained at
age 16 as a result of study, marked standardized continuous assessment
and practical work, and a national final examination.

A helpful definition for those on the other side of the pond.

Regards,
Martin Brown
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

On 8 May, 20:01, Andrew Yee wrote:
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

Issued by RAS Press Officers:

Dr Robert Massey
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 3307 / 4582

Anita Heward
Tel: +44 (0)1483 420904

NATIONAL ASTRONOMY MEETING PRESS ROOM (31 MARCH - 4 APRIL ONLY):
Tel: +44 (0)2890 975262 / 975263 / 975264

NAM 2008http://nam2008.qub.ac.uk

Royal Astronomical Societyhttp://www.ras.org.uk

CONTACT

Professor Iwan Williams
School of Mathematical Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 5452

Sarah Harrison
Senior Product Development Leader
Edexcel
Tel: +44 (0)20 7190 4332

EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 BST, 1 April 2008

Ref.: PN 08/31 (NAM 22)

GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren

Students of all ages are showing their enthusiasm for astronomy, with more
people than ever choosing to study it at GCSE level. In a talk on Tuesday
1 April at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting in
Belfast, Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary University of London, will
describe the new syllabus for this qualification that has seen the number
of students taking it rise from around 250 in the early 1990s to more than
1200 today.

The increasingly popular course began life as 'O' level Astronomy in the
early 1980s and is taken by students in schools but also by adults who
study the qualification in evening classes. It is one of the only
qualifications in astronomy available at a level below an undergraduate
degree course.

The course has been revised recently and an updated and modified
specification will be taught from 2009 with the first cohort of students
taking the new exam in 2011. The new course will be divided into two
units: Understanding the Universe and Exploring the Universe.

Understanding the Universe is made up of four topics: Earth, Moon and Sun;
Planetary Systems, Stars and Galaxies and Cosmology. Students study
aspects of astronomy from lunar and solar eclipses to what makes the Earth
(and perhaps planets around stars) habitable and the prospect of life
elsewhere.

In the second unit, Exploring the Universe the students are expected to
carry out practical observations to study astronomical phenomena for
themselves. These can vary from simple daylight observations needing no
specialist equipment, such as the use of a shadow stick, to those
requiring more equipment such as a photographic record of a lunar eclipse.

Professor Williams comments, "It's wonderful to see so many people
choosing to study astronomy. Students are excited and inspired by the
wider Universe and this draws many of them to careers in science and
engineering in later life. The new specification brings in cutting-edge
ideas and offers a challenge to learners of all abilities."

FURTHER INFORMATION

* EdExcel
*http://www.edexcel.org.uk/home/

NOTES FOR EDITORS

The RAS National Astronomy Meeting (NAM 2008) is hosted by Queen's
University Belfast. It is principally sponsored by the RAS and the Science
and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). NAM 2008 is being held together
with the UK Solar Physics (UKSP) and Magnetosphere, Ionosphere and
Solar-Terrestrial (MIST) spring meetings.

Just one question. The Earth goes round the Sun. How can you teach
this without some background in basic Physics and Mechanics. Surely
Astronomy can only be offered in conjunction with Physics and Maths.
Perhaps Astronomy could be an option for the people who finish GCSE
maths 1 year or 2 years early.

This is perfectly possible for an intelligent person to do. If someone
is university material anyway they should, given the right instruction
(not care of the education industry), be up to GCSE at 12 or 13.


- Ian Parker

Ian Parker wrote:
On 8 May, 20:01, Andrew Yee wrote:
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren

Students of all ages are showing their enthusiasm for astronomy, with more
people than ever choosing to study it at GCSE level. In a talk on Tuesday
1 April at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting in
Belfast, Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary University of London, will
describe the new syllabus for this qualification that has seen the number
of students taking it rise from around 250 in the early 1990s to more than
1200 today.

The increasingly popular course began life as 'O' level Astronomy in the
early 1980s and is taken by students in schools but also by adults who
study the qualification in evening classes. It is one of the only
qualifications in astronomy available at a level below an undergraduate
degree course.

Professor Williams comments, "It's wonderful to see so many people
choosing to study astronomy. Students are excited and inspired by the
wider Universe and this draws many of them to careers in science and
engineering in later life. The new specification brings in cutting-edge
ideas and offers a challenge to learners of all abilities."

FURTHER INFORMATION

* EdExcel
http://www.edexcel.org.uk/home/

Just one question. The Earth goes round the Sun. How can you teach
this without some background in basic Physics and Mechanics. Surely
Astronomy can only be offered in conjunction with Physics and Maths.
Perhaps Astronomy could be an option for the people who finish GCSE
maths 1 year or 2 years early.

It was offered as an extra O'level to people who were bored out of their
skulls in O'level physics and maths lessons. In my school at least it
was aimed at those likely to do hard sciences and mathematics at
university. It is a good idea as a challenging optional subject for
bored highly intelligent kids if you don't want them playing truant
and/or disrupting classes. The best bit was that some of the lessons
were joint with a nearby girls school.

The new syllabus looks somewhat less rigorous than the one I remember.

This is perfectly possible for an intelligent person to do. If someone
is university material anyway they should, given the right instruction
(not care of the education industry), be up to GCSE at 12 or 13.

My UK state school did not allow people to take exams early even if they
were already well past the required standard. The sixth form college I
went to after that was wonderful though.

Regards,
Martin Brown
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

On 9 May, 11:55, Martin Brown
wrote:
Ian Parker wrote:
On 8 May, 20:01, Andrew Yee wrote:
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY PRESS INFORMATION NOTE

GCSE Astronomy a rising star for schoolchildren

Students of all ages are showing their enthusiasm for astronomy, with more
people than ever choosing to study it at GCSE level. In a talk on Tuesday
1 April at the Royal Astronomical Society National Astronomy Meeting in
Belfast, Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary University of London, will
describe the new syllabus for this qualification that has seen the number
of students taking it rise from around 250 in the early 1990s to more than
1200 today.

The increasingly popular course began life as 'O' level Astronomy in the
early 1980s and is taken by students in schools but also by adults who
study the qualification in evening classes. It is one of the only
qualifications in astronomy available at a level below an undergraduate
degree course.

Professor Williams comments, "It's wonderful to see so many people
choosing to study astronomy. Students are excited and inspired by the
wider Universe and this draws many of them to careers in science and
engineering in later life. The new specification brings in cutting-edge
ideas and offers a challenge to learners of all abilities."

FURTHER INFORMATION

* EdExcel
*http://www.edexcel.org.uk/home/

Just one question. The Earth goes round the Sun. How can you teach
this without some background in basic Physics and Mechanics. Surely
Astronomy can only be offered in conjunction with Physics and Maths.
Perhaps Astronomy could be an option for the people who finish GCSE
maths 1 year or 2 years early.

It was offered as an extra O'level to people who were bored out of their
skulls in O'level physics and maths lessons. In my school at least it
was aimed at those likely to do hard sciences and mathematics at
university. It is a good idea as a challenging optional subject for
bored highly intelligent kids if you don't want them playing truant
and/or disrupting classes. The best bit was that some of the lessons
were joint with a nearby girls school.

I agree. I still don't see why you can't go faster as well. The local
girls' school. This is more of a serious point than perhaps you
realize. I know this is a bit of a tangent but biologist investigating
the evolutionary basis of gayness have shown that sex is used by our
species as much for social bonding as for procreation. Sex + a little
imagination could be used to promote team spirit and get rid of
disruption.

The new syllabus looks somewhat less rigorous than the one I remember.



This is perfectly possible for an intelligent person to do. If someone
is university material anyway they should, given the right instruction
(not care of the education industry), be up to GCSE at 12 or 13.

My UK state school did not allow people to take exams early even if they
were already well past the required standard. The sixth form college I
went to after that was wonderful though.

Precisely. There is one other anomoly too. If you are taking Economics
at O level, or Standard Grade in Scotland, you are expected to know
calculus, which is not required for maths.


- Ian Parker