Hello everyone,

It would be verry interesting to learn why Edexcel are keen to review
providing the GCSE Astronomy after the overwhelming responses of
support for the subject which I have received from school teachers
across the North West and Nationally on the GCSE Astronomy being added
as a single award option as part of the new GCSE Science Specifications.

Through working with the Science Learning Centre North West and Greater
Manchester SETPOINT we have had to quickly produce activities and CPD
courses that teachers are literally "crying out for" to support their
understanding of astronomy on the new 21st Century Science curriculum
and also the GCSE Astronomy.

More and more schools are requesting support from us for Key stage 4
materials to support the GCSE Science, with up to 4 schools interested
in taking the GCSE Astronomy onto their curriculum as a single award
for next years study. And all this has come about through one single
workshop being offered to schools!

Best Wishes, Sotira

The Faulkes Telescope Project is very keen to support the GCSE
Astronomy. As students doing this course are now officially able to
use the Faulkes Telescopes as part of the coursework, we are able to
offer a lot of help and advice on this aspect of the course as well
as other aspects.

You can now do previously unallowed combinations of science
qualifications such as:

GCSE Science
GCSE Physics
GCSE Astronomy

This is very good news.  However, I suspect that staffing this in
many schools will be impossible.  On the other hand, the fact that
all KS3 students who get a level 6 or higher are going to have the
right to study the separate sciences means that schools are going to
have to rethink how they timetable anyway.  Now is the time to make a
big push with GCSE Astronomy and the FT Project will support this as
much as we can.  I would like to see other examination boards
offering the same qualification, but not at the expense of Edexcel
being able to offer it.

Robert, you and I should talk about how the FT Project can support
the students you have doing this course (and I am willing to talk to
anyone else here about doing the same).

Regards
Dave

--
David Bowdley - Education Director
Faulkes Telescope Project - Cardiff University,
The Saturn Centre, Spring Road,
Wolverhampton, WV4 6JX.
http://www.faulkes-telescope.com
Tel: 01902 495900
Fax: 01902 585622




On 10 Nov 2006, at 13:42, drhj wrote:

>
> I think that the real problem on numbers is getting the subject
> into the main time table.
>
>
> If I did that (I am trying) I estimate that I could easily be
> teaching a class of 24 pupils.
>
>
> Running it as an out of time table activity, I teach 5-6 pupils.
> Which is the max no. that I can cope with in my own ‘spare’ time!
>
>
> Dean

A definate yes from me too! I have been talking to younger members
of several astronomy forums and the feeling is that there is nowhere
near enough GCSE Astronomy courses being available.

John Cave.
--- In astronomy-education@..., "drhj" <drhj@...>
wrote:
>
> A definite Yes from Me!
>
>
>
> I teach at an independent school and we have elected to move to Ed
Excel
> IGCSEs in Science. One problem with that is that there is NO Earth
and
> Space section in the syllabus. Astronomy GCSE thus feels a real
gap for
> us. Otherwise our pupils can hit Cosmology at A2 without ever
thinking
> about what Stars and Galaxies are!
>
>
>
> Dean
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: astronomy-education@...
> [mailto:astronomy-education@...] On Behalf Of Robert
> Massey
> Sent: 10 November 2006 11:31
> To: astronomy-education@...
> Subject: [astronomy-education] FW: GCSE Astronomy [Scanned]
>
>
>
> Dear All
>
>
>
> EdExcel are consulting on the future of the GCSE Astronomy course.
I
> assume that we'd want to put in a strong 'yes' to its
continuation? I'm
> happy to put something together if you wish.
>
>
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> Robert
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Harrison, Sarah [mailto:Sarah.Harrison@...]
> Sent: 10 November 2006 10:17
> To: Robert Massey
> Subject: RE: GCSE Astronomy
>
> Dear Robert,
>
>
>
> That would be fantastic! Thanks very much.
>
>
>
> When we start to properly redevelop the specification we will be
> consulting with many interested parties.
>
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Sarah Harrison
> __________________________________________________
>
> Qualifications Leader Science and Health & Social Care
> Edexcel
> www.edexcel.org.uk
>
> One90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BH
> T: +44 (0)20 7190 4332
> E: sarah.harrison@...
> __________________________________________________
>
> Edexcel is a Pearson company
>
>  -----Original Message-----
>  From: Robert Massey [mailto:RMassey@...]
>  Sent: 10 November 2006 10:13
>  To: Harrison, Sarah
>  Cc: Roy Clare; Elizabeth J. Smith; Robert Edwards
>  Subject: RE: GCSE Astronomy
>
>  Dear Sarah
>
>
>
>  Happy to help - I remember organising the campaign to
persuade
> EdExcel to continue the course a few years ago. I'm about to move
on
> from the ROG to take up a new post at the Royal Astronomical
Society, so
> will try to get them to write in support too. I've copied this to
our
> director and senior staff in the Learning team who may wish to
comment
> before anything formal is sent out.
>
>
>
>  I guess that as the ROG is the largest provider of this
course
> in the UK, we should take a view, if only from the perspective of
being
> a large provider. In the last few years we've increased the
provision
> from one class to five, a level of expansion I didn't anticipate.
I'd
> also hope that with the numbers entered nationally crossing 1000
for the
> first time, that the case for continuing is even stronger than it
was at
> the start of the decade.
>
>
>
>  Would it be helpful if I wrote something as President of the
> Association for Astronomy Education too?
>
>
>
>  Regards
>
>
>
>  Robert
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> 	 From: Harrison, Sarah
> [mailto:Sarah.Harrison@...]
> 	 Sent: 10 November 2006 09:54
> 	 To: Robert Massey
> 	 Subject: GCSE Astronomy
>
> 	 Dear Robert
>
> 	 We are starting to think about the redevelopment of
the
> GCSE Astronomy, at Edexcel, and we need to present a business case
for
> this to our senior managers. Could I ask you for a letter or email
of
> support to continue with the GCSE Astronomy. This will be very
helpful
> and should convince our managers that it is vital to continue with
GCSE
> Astronomy.
>
> 	 Many thanks
>
> 	 Sarah Harrison
> 	 __________________________________________________
>
> 	 Qualifications Leader Science and Health & Social
Care
> 	 Edexcel
> 	 www.edexcel.org.uk
>
> 	 One90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BH
> 	 T: +44 (0)20 7190 4332
> 	 E: sarah.harrison@...
> 	 __________________________________________________
>
> 	 Edexcel is a Pearson company
>
>
>
>
>
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Sarah Harrison
__________________________________________________

Qualifications Leader Science and Health & Social Care
Edexcel
www.edexcel.org.uk

One90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BH
T: +44 (0)20 7190 4332 
E: sarah.harrison@...
__________________________________________________

Edexcel is a Pearson company

-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Massey [mailto:RMassey@...]
Sent: 10 November 2006 10:13
To: Harrison, Sarah
Cc: Roy Clare; Elizabeth J. Smith; Robert Edwards
Subject: RE: GCSE Astronomy

Dear Sarah

 

Happy to help - I remember organising the campaign to persuade EdExcel to continue the course a few years ago. I'm about to move on from the ROG to take up a new post at the Royal Astronomical Society, so will try to get them to write in support too. I've copied this to our director and senior staff in the Learning team who may wish to comment before anything formal is sent out.

 

I guess that as the ROG is the largest provider of this course in the UK, we should take a view, if only from the perspective of being a large provider. In the last few years we've increased the provision from one class to five, a level of expansion I didn't anticipate. I'd also hope that with the numbers entered nationally crossing 1000 for the first time, that the case for continuing is even stronger than it was at the start of the decade.

 

Would it be helpful if I wrote something as President of the Association for Astronomy Education too?

 

Regards

 

Robert

---

From: Harrison, Sarah [mailto:Sarah.Harrison@...]
Sent: 10 November 2006 09:54
To: Robert Massey
Subject: GCSE Astronomy

Dear Robert

We are starting to think about the redevelopment of the GCSE Astronomy, at Edexcel, and we need to present a business case for this to our senior managers. Could I ask you for a letter or email of support to continue with the GCSE Astronomy. This will be very helpful and should convince our managers that it is vital to continue with GCSE Astronomy.

Many thanks

Sarah Harrison
__________________________________________________

Qualifications Leader Science and Health & Social Care
Edexcel
www.edexcel.org.uk

One90 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7BH
T: +44 (0)20 7190 4332 
E: sarah.harrison@...
__________________________________________________

Edexcel is a Pearson company

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Hi everyone

I would like to announce the launch of a new robotic telescope that is
devoted to astronomy education and allows schools access to live
observing.

The project is run by Dr Gianluca Masi who is an established
astronomer in the field of Near Earth Orbiting Asteroids and has
created the project to allow access to his telescope from any corner
of the globe.

For more info please see:

http://virtualtelescope.bellatrixobservatory.org/VirtualTelescopePR.pdf

Best Wishes,
Sotira

Dear Sotira,

 

How many people registered as a result of the recent email I sent out?

 

Regards,  Alan.

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Mr Alan C Pickwick

19 Edale Grove

Sale

Cheshire

M33 4RG

 

+44 (0)161 973 6796

Alan_C_Pickwick@...

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

Dear Group Members,

I would like to remind everyone that subscriptions are now due for the
year 2006-2007. Subs are only £12 a year and are an excellent way of
supporting the work that the AAE does through its outreach efforts.

The next coming weeks will see more databases and resources appearing
so please feel free to use the yahoo group to upload your suggestions
and teaching activities, also hello to our new members!

Best Wishes,
Sotira

Dear All

An interesting (and rare!) opportunity.

Regards

Robert

-----Original Message-----
From: Mills Observatory [mailto:mills.observatory@...]
Subject: Mills Observatory - forthcoming vacancy

Hi,

I'm planning to retire as curator of the Mills Observatory in Dundee at
the end
of March 2007.

This should leave a vacancy for a new curator.

If you, or anyone you know might be interested in applying for this
post,
please contact me in confidence, and I will try to make sure that you
know when
the post is advertised.

If you would like to discuss what the job involves, please don't
hesitate to
phone me on 01382 435967.

Best wishes,

Bill Samson



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Just come across this today, members may find this useful as this is a
follow up from the Barstow report.

http://www.pparc.ac.uk/Ed/ESCS.asp

Regards,
Sotira

Hello Everyone,

I've just received this exciting news to day about the launch of a new
resource centre by ESA snd thought I would pass on the information.

There is a series of workshops with the launch of a worldwide
networking group for science educators

If you would like to learn more here are the links:

Universe awareness workshop
http://www.unawe.org/index.php?page=workshops&ws=leiden_10_2006

ESA's launch of  Europe's first Space Education Resource Office
http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEM9A5OFGLE_index_0.html

Best Wishes,
Sotira

Dear Astronomy Education Group,

Just a reminder that there are still places available on our free
teacher training courses in September and October.

------------------

Using the Faulkes Telescopes Project in the Science Curriculum (KS3,
KS4 and AS/A2)

12 September 2006 - Wolverhampton
29 September 2006 - Cardiff

------------------

The Life Cycle of Stars (KS4, AS/A2) - including a visit from
Krzysztof Rochowicz from Poland who has been using the Faulkes
Telescopes to observe supernovae.

10 October 2006 - Wolverhampton

------------------

CCD Astronomical Imaging Workshop (relevant to areas of KS3, KS4 and
AS/A2)

15 September 2006 - Wolverhampton

------------------

More information is available on our website at
http://www.faulkes-telescope.com/index.php?page=89

You can book places by sending an email to
training@... with the following details.

- Your Name
- Your Position (including subject specialism if appropriate)
- School Name
- School Type (i.e. state, private, city academy, city technology
college etc...)
- Email Address (all correspondence is via email)

Regards
Dave

--
David Bowdley - Education Director
Faulkes Telescope Project,
The Saturn Centre, Spring Road,
Wolverhampton, WV4 6JX.
http://www.faulkes-telescope.com
Tel: 01902 495900
Fax: 01902 585622

Hi everyone, hope you are all well,
Over the past weeks I have been compiling a list of resources which
are now available at:
http://www.cosmosmagazine.tv/cosmosresourcebank.htm

I have received a good response from the many science centres and
individuals who have passed on links and resources for this
compilation, if any of our members are willing to pass on details to
submit to this list, I'll add their details asap.

Best Wishes,
Sotira

Dear All

For information. The NSO is now free so please register and help
support this
valuable initiative. You can see most of the website at
www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk

Regards

Robert

Dear All

For information. The NSO is now free so please register and help
support this
valuable initiative. You can see most of the website at
www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk

Regards

Robert

http://192.171.198.135/Ed/MB1.pdf

Does anyine know anything about this?

Hi To All,
My name is John Cave and I am a 45 year old mature student studying
astronomy by distance learning. I have just acheived my second
Certificate of higher Education in Astronomy, the first was from John
Moores University after I had studied and passed all nine of their
distance learning courses. The second, received three weeks ago, was
from UCLAN and it is with them that I start my Diploma of Higher
Education in October. I can honestly say that I am really looking
forward to the challenge.
I just wanted to say hello to everyone in the group and I hope to get
to know you all a bit better soon.
John Cave.

Dear All

Further to my request for feedback (and Sotira's), here's some thoughts from
Francisco - it looks like the basis of an AAE contribution.

Regards

Robert

Dr Robert Massey
Royal Observatory
Greenwich
London SE10 9NF
Tel: +44 (0)20 8312 6735
Fax: +44 (0)20 8312 6734
www.rog.nmm.ac.uk


Hi Robert,

Just wondering if the AAE is planning to send a contribution for the
consultation process. I think it will be very important. Please let me
know, deadline next week. This is what to do:


HOW TO RESPOND
7.2 The consultation period will begin on 22 March 2006 and run for 12
weeks until 16 June 2006. Please ensure that your response reaches us by
that date. Please send responses to this consultation document to:
Science Consultation
c/o Fiona Mackay
Bay 365
Office of Science and Technology
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel. (+44) (0) 207 215 5689
Fax (+44) (0) 207 251 3830
Email: scienceconsultation@...

cheers

francisco


PS below the one I am sending myself, which I copied to you before.

============================================================================

On Wed, 17 May 2006, Francisco Diego wrote:

>
> Hi Robert,
>
> I hope we can do something about this problem....
>
> Apart from serious concerns about the proposed dilution of PPARC sciences
> into larger organisations and, more important, the danger of splitting the
> funding of facilities from the grants to run them and to support
> fundamental research and teaching, there is an important potential loss.
>
> One of my main concerns is the future of PPARC's excellent and imaginative
> programme of science, the public and schools, that has been growing for
> many years. With dozens of wall charts, magazines, posters, a variety of
> awards, fellowships, etc, PPARC's Science and Society programme has been
> extremely successful in exciting the young minds and the general public by
> addressing the fundamental questions about the origin and destiny of
> everything around us, including ourselves and the amazing ways in which
> the human mind is dealing and even answering some of these questions,
> specially in recent times.
>
> Ideally, the structure and the people behind the production of such a
> valuable contribution to society should be, not changed, but enhanced and
> encouraged.
>
> I am attending the IoP Meeting in June the 14th. Are you?
>
> Best wishes
>
> Francisco Diego
>

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Hi All

If you were at the ABM, you may remember that we suggested putting in
an AAE submission on the proposals to reform PPARC - with a particular
emphasis on the impact on education and outreach work.

You can see the full report here (download the PDF document and the
relevant bits are in the chapters on science teachers and on grants
administration).

http://www.hm-
treasury.gov.uk/budget/budget_06/assoc_docs/bud_bud06_adscience.cfm

I'd like to put in a submission from the AAE but would like to hear the
views of others first - can you let me know what you think?

Regards

Robert

Find attached the program for BAP


------ Forwarded Message
From: Annette Collins <aco@...>
Date: Mon, 15 May 2006 12:24:55 +0100
To: <gill.russell@...>, <fd@...>, <don@...>,
<anne@...>, <christine.v.macmillan@...>,
<cosmic.dome@...>, <laura@...>, <teresa@...>,
<hmason@...>, <jennifer.mchale@...>,
<j.riley@...>, <christophe.bertier@...>,
<explorerdome@...>, <noel@...>,
<starlab@...>, <simon@...>, <"information
"@explorerdome.co.uk>, <cpart@...>,
<katy.mcdonald@...>, <edel.fletcher@...>,
<mario.dimaggio@...>, <david.ault@...>,
<adam@...>, <rmassey@...>, <editor@...>,
<smith@...>, <jpanek@...>
Cc: Tom Mason <tom@...>
Subject: BAP 2006 Final Details

Dear Delegates,

As we quickly approach BAP 2006, I thought I would take the time to send
you a more detailed schedule of events for the upcoming weekend (see
attachment).

Should you need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact
me.

For those giving presentations on Saturday and to save time at the
changeovers, we suggest that you provide us with a CD copy of your
presentation, giving you extra time to to net-work!

If you wish to send us a CD of your data please address it to:

Dr Tom Mason
Armagh Planetarium, College Hill, Armagh, N. Ireland BT61 9DB

Alternatively, bring the presentation on a flash drive and we can load
prior to the start of the presentations.

We look forward to welcoming you to Armagh.

Thanks and regards,

Annette Collins
Armagh Planetarium
Tel: +44 (0) 2837 524 725
Fax: +44 (0) 2837 526 187
Email: aco@...

------ End of Forwarded Message

Hi everyone,

This is probably a silly question but what time does our AGM start on
Saturday? I won't be able to fly out till Saturday Morning and I won't
arrive into Armagh till at least 10.30am. Does any body know what time
the AAE Business meeting is due to start?

Sotira

Hi everyone
In case you did not get my "round robin" requesting new copy for the
next issue of the newsletter, this is an additional one! I need
contributions a litle early this quarter, and the deadline is May 5
(just over a week's notice!).
I have very little in hand as yet, so all contributions gratefully
received - especially news of events to come (remember the issue comes
out on June 21 approximately), practical help and projects for teachers
to use, and any anecdotes, web sites we should visit, etc. etc. Lastly,
don't forget photos and diagrams (photos no smaller than about 10X8cm
at resolution 300 dpi if poss. please.
I went into the Sahara in Libya to see the March eclipse, and it was a
unique experience! Did anyone else go there, or to Turkey etc.? If so,
let us have your anecdotes.
Thanks everyone
Richard Knox