The Education and Outreach Section is a newly created Section, approved by the BAA Council in 2024.
The Director, Helen Usher, Assistant Director, Alexandra Hart, and the supporting Committee (see below) are looking forward to building a strong, friendly community of those who enjoy delivering and supporting education and outreach activities, sharing their love of astronomy, delivering those ‘wow’ moments to new observers and supporting those early in their astronomy journey.
So If you already deliver outreach events or work with schools, or would like to get involved in them; if you are new or old in the astronomy hobby and would like to ask questions or improve your knowledge or skills; or would like to mentor someone who wishes to learn more, then we’d encourage you to join us by signing up to the Section mailing list, It will be a means for sharing and discussion, and receiving regular newsletters and invitations to online get togethers.
The ’formal bit’…
The aim is to enhance the delivery of the BAA’s charitable objectives:
- To promote the science of astronomy and all branches of astronomical research;
- To promote the association of observers of all abilities, for mutual help, and their organisation in the work of astronomical observation;
- The circulation of current astronomical information;
- The encouragement of a popular interest in astronomy.
Additionally, it is hoped that the Section’s activities will improve retention rates for members, and attract new members from sections of society currently under-represented in the BAA membership.
The key objectives of the Section are:
- To share the awe and wonder of the Universe and promote astronomy and the BAA at events, both nationally and locally, and online.
- To bring together, and over time grow, a community of those involved/interested in education and outreach activities to encourage each other, share ideas and good practice and provide a pool of volunteers for assisting with outreach activities.
- To welcome, encourage and nurture new members, so improving retention and engagement levels.
- To provide an easy to access list, in conjunction with other Sections, of resources such as guides, tutorials, observing challenges to help members to increase their knowledge and skill levels.
- To publicise and produce resources for activities for young people, including schools, including linking with international observing programmes, supported by BAA expert members and providers of telescope resources and activities such as the Faulkes Telescope Project, and national schemes such as the STEM Ambassador scheme.
- To work closely with external organisations with similar aims, including local astronomy societies, FAS, SPA and RAS, particularly on national and international outreach initiatives such as 100 hours of astronomy, National Astronomy Week, and International Moon Night.
The Director and Assistant Director are supported by a Committee comprising BAA members and others with an interest in, and experience of, education and outreach.
The initial Committee is: David Arditti, Philip Jennings, Peter Carson, Adam Fairhead, Srilakshmi Ramakrishnan, Prof Paul Roche (Professor of Astronomy Education at Cardiff University and former Director of the Faulkes Telescope Project), and Grant Bowskill (First Light Optics).
You can contact us directly with any queries or requests for assistance at EandO@britastro.org
