IYA2009 Features

The Galileo Teacher Training Program brings astronomy into the classroom: The Galileo Teacher Training Program has been launched, bringing training and resources to teachers around the globe. The project’s aim is to improve astronomy education for children of all nations, by better equipping their tutors through a comprehensive set of resources and practical guidance.

.Astronomy 2009 Conference: The internet has been instrumental in bringing the activities of the IYA2009 to a huge public with blogs, podcasts and webcasts. In the .Astronomy workshop we will review the success of these initiatives and discuss how to keep the momentum of the IYA2009 into the coming years.

IYA2009 News Round-up: IYA2009 is making some headlines!

IYA2009 and Web 2.0: Astronomy is a science which embraces modern technology, so it is no surprise to see IYA2009 represented on the most popular Web 2.0 sites.

A Telescope per School in Slovenia: In the IYA2009 the Ministry of Education and Sport in Slovenia enables all primary and secondary schools in Slovenia to purchase a telescope and other astronomical equipment of their choice in value of 550 EUR per school. From 2009 on, all Slovenian pupils should therefore have a chance to observe the sky through a telescope!

IAU President Interview:

Brief Status Report on the International Year of Astronomy 2009: The year 2009 will be remembered for many reasons, but the IYA2009 will hopefully be memorable for all astronomers — hobbyists as well as professionals.

ReVista: Exploring the Universe: Check the special Spring 2009 issue of ReVista, Harvard Review of Latin America, under the theme: "The Sky Above, The Earth Below: Exploring the Universe".

IYA2009: telescopes donated to budding astronomers: Many astronomy enthusiasts vividly remember their first sight through a telescope, whether it was the cratered lunar landscape, rings of Saturn, moons of Jupiter, or the myriad of sparkling stars just waiting to be unveiled.

Angolan science minister urges institutions to work with astronomers on the occasion of IYA2009 : Angolan minister of Science and Technology, Candida Teixeira, called on public and private institutions to cooperate and pay attention to the development of activities of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 due to its pedagogical interest and the re-launch of this science in the country.