Practical Astronomy Education at the National University of Singapore (NUS)
YANG JIAHUI, ABEL NG SHAO CHIN LEONG QIXIANG TAN MENG HO Pulkit Agarwal Ong Zongjin Ang Han Wei Chan Aik Hui,Phil
Pulkit Agarwal
Ong Zongjin
Ang Han Wei
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Alternative Title
Abstract
Singapore is not known for astronomy research. However, the interest in astronomy has grown since the 1990s, when more educational institutions and observatories were built to equip students with the skills and knowledge in astronomy. The National University of Singapore (NUS) currently has a strong and rigorous astronomy and astrophysics programme that leads to an astrophysics specialization within the physics B.Sc. degree as well as four general education modules in astronomy and astrophysics. As experimental data is the final arbiter of any scientific theory, we emphasize the practical aspects of astronomy in this programme. We also have a state-of-the-art observatory equipped with a robotic telescope and a planetarium for tutorials. This paper outlines the philosophy, pedagogy and approach of how our NUS team has achieved a very successful undergraduate astronomy and astrophysics for aspiring Singaporean youth.
Keywords
General education, practical astronomy skills, astro-curriculum, telescopes and teaching observatories
Source Title
The Physics Educator
Publisher
World Scientific Publishing Co
Series/Report No.
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Date
2019-02-20
DOI
10.1142/S2661339519500045
Type
Article