The Association for Astronomy Education

Foundation of the AAE

In the late 1970s there was a joint DES / RAS working party on Astronomy Education.

The working party was formed to bring astronomy into the teaching syllabuses of UK schools.

It had representatives from a number of interested bodies such as the FAS and the BAA.

It met at Hatfield Polytechnic Observatory. The DES members were Donald Gold and ???? Morris, who were HMIs.

Members included Julian Ravest, Peter Richard-Jones, Percy Seymour and Raymond Butt (????Kings School, Canterbury). (???? Want to put Institutions with these names.)

The following meeting the working party was wound up and the AAE was formed. Donald Gold was President, Francis Graham-Smith was Patron, Percy Seymour headed the constitution group.

The first meeting of the AAE was held in Liverpool at the Museum Planetarium. Peter Richard-Jones was Secretary and Julian Ravest was Treasurer. (???? I assume this was in 1980.)

The next annual meeting was held at Greenwich. The constitution was finalised.

For the next 3 or 4 years, the meetings were held at North London Polytechnic in Holloway Road. Eric Zucker started to take an active part.

When Peter Richard-Jones stepped down, Percy Seymour took over as Secretary.

OTHER NOTES ON ASTRONOMY EDUCATION INITIATIVES:

About 1975, the IoA at Cambridge held week long courses for teachers. Simon Mitton was involved.

Goldsmiths College and Greenwich held courses for teachers. Used Green Hall. Aimed at astronomy and linking it to other subjects. All age groups.