Bringing frontline astronomy in the classroom: EU-HOU

Abstract

The EU-HOU project ("Hands-On Universe, Europe. Bringing frontline interactive astronomy to the classroom") is in keeping with the general goal of renewing the teaching of science. A re-awakening of interest for science in the young generation is foreseen through astronomy and the use of new technologies, which should challenge middle and high schools pupils. The primary target group will thus be the school teachers, who will be involved through a pilot school scheme widely advertised.

The project is based on real observations, possibly acquired by the pupils themselves in classrooms thanks to either a European and worldwide network of automatic telescopes operated via Internet or didactical tools (Webcam system, radio telescope) developed within this project. These observations can be manipulated in classrooms with a specific software designed to be pupils
friendly. They are integrated into pedagogical resources constructed in a close collaborative work between researchers and teachers. The resources developed in the course of this project are free and have been posted on the project Web site (www.euhou.net).

The EU-HOU project is funded at 44% through the European program MINERVA (SOCRATES) for a two-year period. More information on the project, the partner Institutions, the Pilot Schools that are collaborating with the project across Europe and the results of the experience can be found in the network URL: www.euhou.net.

In this talk we should describe the results of the first two years of hard and very successful collaboration. Special emphasis will be made on the tools used in the
Spanish Pilot Schools (URL: www.mat.ucm.es/~aig/HOU_Espana/ ).