Planetarium Director University of California at Berkeley El Sobrante, California, United States
All human activity takes place in a cultural context. Astronomy is no exception. Audiences can find connections between modern science investigations and their everyday experiences through cultural expressions of astronomy. Astronomical traditions are strongly influential in physics and mathematics, as well as agriculture, architecture, biology, ecology, arts & crafts, language, politics, and religion. Likewise, the advancement of astronomical knowledge is strongly influenced by cultural attitudes and practices. In this discussion session we will explore different ways we can teach astronomy within this broader context. Break-out groups will explore using cultural astronomy in different educational settings, such as formal classes, planetariums/museums/science centers, and in mass media.
