Seminar Paper
Jimdel Baltazar Macapagal
Abstract
Astronomy is not yet a popular subject in the Philippines. Most Filipinos have knowledge on it and not much interest has been shown toward it. The Philippine government itself has no concrete plans in supporting and promoting astronomy. Unlike in the United States and other countries where a space administration/department has been established, no such institutions exist in the country. Closest we have are the only two institutions commissioned by the Government to perform astronomical functions - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the National Museum Planetarium.
In most schools, the subject also isn't that popular. In fact, to date, only one school in the country, Rizal Technological University (RTU), offers Astronomy courses. It is also believed that astronomy is taught only as part of the general science subject in elementary schools.
This seminar paper establishes and proves the true state of astronomy education in Cabanatuan city's private and public elementary schools. Elementary teachers and principals in various schools in this city have been surveyed to gather data in making such evaluation.
This also aims to provide recommendations to a more concrete, standard, and structured Astronomy education in Cabanatuan City elementary schools. Hopefully, this paper's output would be of help in making Astronomy a more popular and interesting subject especially to elementary students.
Jimdel Baltazar Macapagal
Abstract
Astronomy is not yet a popular subject in the Philippines. Most Filipinos have knowledge on it and not much interest has been shown toward it. The Philippine government itself has no concrete plans in supporting and promoting astronomy. Unlike in the United States and other countries where a space administration/department has been established, no such institutions exist in the country. Closest we have are the only two institutions commissioned by the Government to perform astronomical functions - Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the National Museum Planetarium.
In most schools, the subject also isn't that popular. In fact, to date, only one school in the country, Rizal Technological University (RTU), offers Astronomy courses. It is also believed that astronomy is taught only as part of the general science subject in elementary schools.
This seminar paper establishes and proves the true state of astronomy education in Cabanatuan city's private and public elementary schools. Elementary teachers and principals in various schools in this city have been surveyed to gather data in making such evaluation.
This also aims to provide recommendations to a more concrete, standard, and structured Astronomy education in Cabanatuan City elementary schools. Hopefully, this paper's output would be of help in making Astronomy a more popular and interesting subject especially to elementary students.