Macao Science Center Holds a "Special Astronomical Phenomena Serial Workshop – Total Lunar Eclipse" Pilot Demonstration Activity

to Promote Teacher Training for Astronomical Science Popularization and Education

As one of the national science popularization and education bases, Macao Science Center (MSC) not only has been committed to science popularization and education for young people in Macao but also actively promotes the training of teachers for astronomical science popularization and education. As teachers in Macao seldom receive professional training in astronomical science education, MSC recently held a pilot demonstration activity of "Special Astronomical Phenomena Serial Workshop – Total Lunar Eclipse" to provide training for instructors of astronomy groups in primary and secondary schools or persons who intend to set up astronomy groups for schools. A total of 30 teaching faculty and staff members participated.

During the "Special Astronomical Phenomena Serial Workshop – Total Lunar Eclipse" pilot demonstration activity, elements of activity planning before and after the occurrence of astronomical phenomena such as a total lunar eclipse were introduced, including selection of astronomical observation equipment, demonstration of equipment operation, photography skills, and suggestions for teaching content, with a view to assisting teachers or activity coordinators in organizing suitable astronomical science popularization activities for students. Astronomical instruments commonly used in the outdoor astronomical observation activities held by the Planetarium were also set up on site for participants to learn operation skills.

According to teachers who participated in the activity, the training not only enriched their knowledge of total lunar eclipses and other astronomical phenomena but also gave them the opportunity to get in touch with different types of astronomical observation instruments and learn relevant operation skills. In addition, the staff of the Planetarium of MSC provided a lot of practical advice about the preparation of astronomical science popularization activities and shared their valuable experience in organizing astronomy group activities for schools, which would be very helpful for their future astronomical science popularization and teaching as well as cultivation of students' interest in astronomical science.

MSC will continue to cooperate with the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) to support the SAR Government's policies for the development of education and youth, create educational resources, assist students in their career planning, and promote the cultivation of Macao's scientific and technological innovation talent. At the same time, it will fully leverage its function as a national science popularization and education base and make use of its facilities and resources to boost the development of science education in Macao by offering more diversified and appropriate training courses for science popularization and education personnel.

Teaching personnel operated astronomical instruments under the guidance of MSC staff

Teachers learned about the skills of preparing astronomical science popularization activities through the activity

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Macao Science Center Limited                                                                                       34-PR-PUB-22

November 30, 2022