Astronomical Activities for Students – Motivating Students in Physical Science through Astronomy

Abstract

School education aims not only to provide the necessary knowledge to the students but also to inspire and motivate them to realize their special abilities and inclinations and use their potential for making a joyful future for their lives. In this direction we present some activities held in the Arsakeio School of Patras during the years 2005-2008 in the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics, in order to share our experience with the teachers’ community. Such activities are the observation of Solar Eclipses in years 2005 and 2006, the observation and registering the Solar spots, the participation in environmental programs related to Astronomy as the international program for measuring the light pollution “Globe at Night” and the local program “Sun and Life” and finally the participation in the European program “Hands on Universe” (HoU).