Failed Subject: Communication and Didactics of Astronomy

Del Puerto, C.
Bibliographical reference

Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics V, Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, Volume . ISBN 978-3-642-11249-2. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg, 2010, p. 551

Advertised on:
2010
Number of authors
1
IAC number of authors
1
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
In the overall context of science popularisation, it is often remarked the need for specialised journalism: good training programmes for journalists would provide them with scientific communication skills. Thus, science journalists are usually educated at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). However, the success of the scientific communication also depends on the skills of the scientists. They have to learn to communicate scientific projects and results, because this is both a necessity (even to themselves) and an obligation. Moreover, many young scientists will get positions in education and divulgation. As we are aware of these issues, our MSc degree in astrophysics (IAC-University of La Laguna) incorporates a course in "Communication of Scientific Results and Teaching of Astronomy". The Science and Cosmos Museum (Cabildo de Tenerife) is also involved in this 4-month (3 ECTs) compulsory course. MSc students not only learn how to get funds, apply for observing time, write scientific papers, present contributions to scientific meetings, edit their own CV, or communicate their results to colleagues, they also learn techniques for divulgation and promotion of science in a practical and funny way. Students act as popularisers, scientific journalists and high-school teachers within the classroom. In this contribution, we report our experience over the past two academic years.