Future astronomers

[bish]

Just been presenting astronomy to a class of year 5’s. I was completely bombarded with questions,  often not straightforward ones. Nice to see some real enthusiasm from a group of youngsters with a good grasp of the subject. 

[SimonS]

Great to hear about the enthusiasm. My 6 year old Neice asks me lots of questions about space etc and I love to hear the ones that really stump me.

When I did Physics at GCSE and A-level they avoided space as much as they could (I don't know why) so I hope they put it into the curriculum as much as possible, it is a facinating subject  

[Peter Drew]

We do mainly outreach and are always impressed with the enthusiasm and often knowledge shown by youngsters.   ?

[bish]

The youngsters can ask some real curve ball questions about anything related to astronomy/cosmology/space travel etc erc.  I do like the Q & A part.

[westmarch]

How times change.

I remember asking my physics teacher what causes magnetism.  Magnetism boy.....is a phenomenon.

He also once explained the feebleness of gravity as a force thus:

"Puny as you lot are, each of you is quite capable of opposing the total gravitational force of this whole planet. So lift your heads up and pay attention!"

John

[John]

I've done a couple of outreach sessions at a local school to year 5 pupils. This was during the early summer and we took white light and h-alpha scopes with us to observe the Sun.

As you found Bish, the children seemed to have a good grasp of astronomy generally and solar science especially. Several were able to explain the main mechansims that fuel the Sun, which I was really impressed by. I hope the sparks of scientific enthusiasm that sessions like this generate kindle into a longer term interest

 

[bish]

1 hour ago, John said:

I've done a couple of outreach sessions at a local school to year 5 pupils. This was during the early summer and we took white light and h-alpha scopes with us to observe the Sun.

As you found Bish, the children seemed to have a good grasp of astronomy generally and solar science especially. Several were able to explain the main mechansims that fuel the Sun, which I was really impressed by. I hope the sparks of scientific enthusiasm that sessions like this generate kindle into a longer term interest

 

I’ve been asked about galaxy mergers, will gravity eventually cease to exist and star colour in relation to temperature  - amongst many other things.  The majority asked multiple questions.  Life on other planets was a popular one today too. It makes it really worth while when they show such an intererest.