International Schools for Young Astronomers Teaching for Astronomy Development: two programmes of the International Astronomical Union

Abstract

Abstract. This text outlines the main features of two educational programmes of the International Astronomical Union (IAU): the International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA) and the Teaching for Astronomy Development programme (TAD), developed since 1967.The main goal of the International Schools for Young Astronomers (ISYA) is to support astronomy (education and research) in developing countries in organizing a 3-week School for students with typically M.Sc. degrees.The context in which the ISYA were developed changed drastically during the last decade. From a time when access to large telescopes was difficult and mainly organized on a nationbasis, nowadays the archives of astronomical data have accumulated at the same time that many major telescope become accessible, and they are accessible from everywhere, the concept of virtual observatory reinforcing this access.A second programme of the IAU, Teaching for Astronomy Development (TAD), partially based on a School, but also of shorter duration (typically one week) has a complementary objective. It is dedicated to assist countries that have little or no astronomical activity, but that wish to enhance their astronomy education. The fast development of the TAD programme over the past years is emphasized.

IAU’s Interaction with Young Astronomers

“…Such feedbacks, including recommendations from students and from earlier hosts, are most helpful for maintaining a meaningful, well-functioning program. Michele Gerbaldi (2018) has reviewed this type information available from a large number of ISYAs held since the first one in 1967, which is presented in a subsequent section of these Proceedings.…”