Subject: Astronomy. Teaching and learning about the oldest science.

RAS April Public Talk - Prof Kevin Walsh at 1pm Subject: Astronomy. Teaching and learning about the oldest science. Curiosity about the cosmos is one of the things that makes us human. People of all ages and all cultures engage with the subject naturally but much of this engagement lies well beyond any formal educational curriculum. In the UK, and throughout the world, the opportunities for developing interest in the subject are manifold and increasingly so given current advances in educational technology. Formal UK qualifications in the subject have existed for some time, spanning the age range. How, in the 21st century, is the understanding of Astronomy being acquired and shared and, as educational practice evolves, how might this be changing? About our speaker Prof. Kevin Walsh is the Astronomer-in-Residence at Westminster School, UK and professor of Physics Education at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’An, PRC. He is a Fellow of the RAS and the IoP and the editor of the Bulletin of the Society for the History of Astronomy. He is also the Co-teacher for the RAS GCSE Astronomy two-year course and an inspiration to many, to look up.