Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand Astronomy Education in New Zealand

The Education Section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand promotes the teaching of Astronomy throughout New Zealand.

In addition to the above, resources and assistance to science educators and school parties are provided by many of the local astronomical societies throughout New Zealand. Such resources can be of great help to teachers wishing to provide quality learning experiences in Astronomy for their pupils and also to help with the professional development of science teachers themselves. See below for examples of services provided in different regions in New Zealand.

Education Services Provided by Local Astronomical Societies

The Auckland Astronomical Society offers to its members, "Beginners guides to the night sky", "Getting started in Astronomy" and "Sky recognition talks." Advanced astronomy topics and international guest speakers are often popular items at regular monthly meetings. Juniors are encouraged to take part in our education groups,

1. 5 - 10 years "Night Eyes". - Contact: David Britten.
2. 11 - 17 years "Young Astronomers" - Contact: Margaret Arthur.

Both these groups meet once a month and offer junior members interesting educational information regarding astronomy.

The Auckland Astronomical Society offers educational programmes to all age groups and knowledge levels including inexpensive telescope hire, and an extensive astronomical library.

Contacts: Henk Stolk, AAS President.  Rob Beck, AAS Curator.

Franklin District Astronomers visit school camps with telescopes and give basic talks on astronomy. Contact: Allan Strickland , Franklin District Astronomers, 6 Pukeroa Place, Papakura, phone (09) 298 3210, email johnast@clear.net.nz.

The Hamilton Astronomical Society have several telescopes: large (60cm) and small(15cm to 30cm) to show the night sky to school groups. The Hamilton Astronomical Society is kept fairly busy with school visits from throughout the Waikato area, so advises schools to book well in advance. Public nights are well attended by the general public (on fine nights in particular) so schools are encouraged to book separate special nights. Teachers are given handouts (A4 sheets) of basic star charts or information relating to the time of year visited, to photocopy for their classes. To book a visit to the Hamilton observatory for a school group the contact is Ross Bedwell, (07) 846 0409. Other enquiries can be made to President: Geoffrey Wynne-Jones (07) 854 9925 or Secretary Carole Evans (07) 825 2737. The Observatory number is (07) 849 8522

The Rotorua Astronomical Society assists teachers with projects relating to astronomy and school visits. Members of the Rotorua Astronomical Society have a range of telescopes which can be used to show the night sky to school parties. They also have a range of slides both from the Hubble Space telescope and by their own members.

The Northern Observational Astronomy Association has a small number of transportable telescopes and also has school groups visiting for evening observation. Contact Barbara Ives (07) 865 8047. email FBIves@xtra.co.nz.

Whakatane The Whakatane Astronomical Society has regular public viewing nights with a 30cm Cassegrain reflecting telescope and a 35cm Schmidt-Cassegrain reflector. They also run 6 week night class courses "Astronomy for Beginners" during the winter. Contact Johan Groenveld (07) 308 7121, Norman Izett (07) 308 6495.

The Palmerston North Astronomical Society operates the Manawatu Observatory on the hills to the south east of the city and caters for groups such as schools, service groups, scouts etc. Each year the Palmerston North Astronomical Society runs a winter lecture series. For further information contact Noel Munford or Ian Cooper (06) 358 2774.

The Wanganui Astronomical Society operates the Ward Observatory. Much of their efforts goes into assisting schools and adult education in astronomy. Contact Ross Skilton (06) 345 6954.

The Wellington Astronomical Society has an 8" reflecting telescope at Pauatahanui to the north of Wellington, and also coordinates with the Gifford Observatory Trust to operate the 5-1/4" Zeiss refractor telescope at the Gifford Observatory in Newtown. The society runs regular star parties at both sites as well as other parts of Wellington, with knowledgable people available available to explain the night sky. It also provides speakers to different groups such as Scouts and Guides.
Contact: The Secretary, PO Box 3126, Wellington."

The Phoenix Astronomical Society has an observatory with a number of telescopes to the SE of Carterton, within easy reach of Wellington. It holds regular meetings in Wellington, Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay including talks and observing sessions. It also hosts "Stardate" and "Astrocamp" events which include talks, workshops and viewing. Contact: Anthony Gomez (04) 386 0567, or Lesley Hall, (04) 463 5815.

The Astronomy Section, Nelson Science Society operates the Atkinson Observatory and offers observing through the 5" Atkinson Refractor to school groups. Contact: Robert Rea, 8 Regent Lane, Richmond, Nelson 7002, Phone (03) 544 5241, email reamarsh@ihug.co.nz.

The Canterbury Astronomical Society has public nights, regular beginner's astronomy sessions and runs astronomy evening classes in association with the University of Canterbury's extension programme. Contact Euan Mason (03) 364 2584.

The Southland Astronomical Society hosts school groups visiting the public observatory at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery, Invercargill. It has a 300mm reflecting telescope which provides fine views of many astronomical objects. If the weather is unfavourable they have an alternative slide show. Contact for booking observatory visits is the Southland Museum,(03) 218 9753.