Speaker
Description
The Turkana Basin Institute facilitated an astronomy workshop for teachers in Ileret, Northern Kenya, aided by the IAU's teacher training grant. Ileret is an isolated village in northern Kenya, with a single high school, low graduation rates, low participation of women in education, and several economic and social challenges. The training was the first of its kind in the region and systematic analysis of its effects show clear concept retention, increased knowledge, and an overall interest in the subject. Specific points in the national curriculum were identified for integration of astronomy concepts and examples, and low-cost tools were shared for use in the classroom. Analysis shows ~80% incorrect perceptions were corrected within teachers, mainly on concepts of diurnal motion, Earth-Moon system, and the Earth-Sun system. The workshop integrated cultural astronomy elements to engage teachers, many of whom had strong ties to cultural astronomy practices. We present the main learnings from this workshop, results from analysis of concept inventories administered, and the challenges of single point intervention in systems with few other opportunities in the science. We also present a thorough catalogue of points within the Kenyan National curriculum which can incorporate astronomy examples and concepts. This can be applied to most curricula in the region.
| Stream | Education, Development and Outreach |
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