Ghana Planetarium Science Project

The International Astronomical Union
Strategic Plan 2010-20

The development of Astronomy education varies widely between countries, and the focus of the Strategic Plan is to encourage development in those regions where it lags behind other parts of the world. The Plan recognises that all the ages and levels need to be targetted: Primary School, Secondary School, University, Postgraduate Research, and The General Public. The International Astronomical Union Strategic Plan 2010-2020 shows how Astronomy links into a wide range of subjects, which can be grouped into three broad areas: Culture and Society, Technology and Skills and Science and Research.

CULTURE AND SOCIETY

ANTHROPOLOGY
Ancient Civilisations,
Our Roots

PERSPECTIVE - IMMENSITY OF UNIVERSE
Tolerance and
Global Citizenship

HISTORY
Evolution of Universe,
Our Roots

INSPIRATION
Careers in Science
and Technology

TECHNOLOGY AND SKILLS

OPTICS
High Precision
Adaptive Optics

COMPUTERS
Fastest Hardware,
Complex Software

ELECTRONICS
Most Sensitive Detectors,
Fastest Clocks

SPACE
Satellites,
Miniaturization,
Precision

SCIENCE AND RESEARCH

MATHEMATICS
Abstract
Thought

BIOLOGY
Building Blocks
of Life

CHEMISTRY
Producing
Organic Molecules

PHYSICS
Laboratory of Extremes
Making Heavy Elements

ASTRONOMY IS INSPIRATIONAL

• Students can participate in important international astronomical research projects via the internet.
• Space Science can inspire interest in Physics, Maths, Chemistry, Biology, Technology, Engineering and IT.
• Astronomy can be approached from different perspectives and appreciated at different ages and levels.
• The exciting thing about astronomy is that new discoveries are continually being made.
• Space Science has resulted in many spin-offs, benefitting us in everyday life.
• Yesterday's knowledge is changed by today's discoveries.
• At the simplest level astronomy is accessible to all.
• It reminds us that all mankind shares one home.