ABOUT

The AAE was founded to promote Public Education in Astronomy and the Teaching of Astronomy to students at all levels. The Aims of the Association - 1980 With the expansion of the web and improvements in text books the Association has fallen largely quiescent. It still offers “Ask an Astronomer” and workshops at the ASE Science Teachers’ Conference each January. It maintains links with The European Association for Astronomy Education. The AAE is a UK Registered Charity - Number 1046041.

History and Editors of Gnomon

AAE was inaugurated in Liverpool on 16th May 1981. Editors of the Newsletter which later became Gnomon: David Clarke from (Vol. 1: No.1) - Newsletter Colin Goodman from (Vol. 3: No.1) - Newsletter Eric Zucker from (Vol. 5: No.3) - Newsletter Eric Zucker from (Vol. 7: No.1) - Gnomon Alex Lovell from (Vol. 15: No.2) Richard Knox from (Vol. 18: No.1) Anne Urquhart-Potts from (Vol. 29: No.1) Alan Pickwick from (Vol. 31: No.2) to Vol. 31: No3.) From the early days of the AAE up to the autumn of 1995, Eric was the editor of our newsletter, Gnomon. This was the principal method of communication with the members and Eric did a great job in collecting copy and ensuring timely publication.

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). 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. (???? 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.

Schools Council Publications 1980 -

The Prelude to the AAE

In 1980 the Schools Council circulated some hand- written pamphlets about Earth and Space. Click here to download the combined and unedited PDF.

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