Edith A. Müller and IAU Commission 46

Abstract

Education is important to astronomy because it affects the recruitment and training of the next generation of astronomers, and it affects the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of astronomy by the taxpayers and politicians who support us. Astronomy is also important to education (above and beyond its contribution to the profession of astronomy) because of its practical and philosophical applications, its consequent role in history and culture, its contributions to mathematics and sciences, and its own status as one of the most dynamic of the sciences. In the classroom, it can be used to demonstrate the role of observation in the seientific method, and it can be used very effectively to teach many aspects of physics. It attracts young people to science and technology, and increases public interest in science — important considerations in both the industrialized and the developing countries.KeywordsExecutive CommitteeInternational SchoolOrganize CommitteeMain ProjectPhilosophical ApplicationThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.