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Teaching Astronomy – New Opportunities, Challenges, Tools, and Innovations

Session: 7B

7B - Using Science Fiction to Teach Astronomy and Astrobiology

Friday, August 23, 2024
10:50 AM – 11:40 AM US PDT
Abstract: Students in our introductory courses are often familiar with astronomy concepts from science fiction. Using examples from written or filmed science fiction stories can be a good way to capture their interest in the real science. Panelists will discuss how they use science fiction in their regular science courses, and in courses specifically devoted to the interaction between SF and astronomy. There will be time for discussion and questions from the audience. Participants will receive links to syllabi for such courses and to science fiction stories that are based on reasonable astronomy.

Robert Scherrer, Vanderbilt Univ
Shelley Wright, UCSD
Frederick Walter, Stony Brook Univ
Andrew Fraknoi, Fromm Institute, Univ of San Francisco
Ann Schmiedekamp Penn State Abington, chair