Questionnaire on astronomy literacy Focus Group summaries UK/GR/FR/PT

The questionnaire Questionnaire focused on the following sections Preschool curriculum Astronomy Literacy E-book Target groups Parents/Guardians Teachers, Trainers and Educators

Interviews LAM (individual interviews) 1 Parent/amateur astronomer 2 Pre-school teachers (1 Montessori school, 1 classical school) ADVANCIS + BOON 1 pre-school teacher 1 primary school teacher 1 psychologist CIVIC 2 nursery teacher 1 senior education officer 3 parents children PLATON (group interviews) 7 parents 5 teachers

Pre-school curriculum Space awareness, positioning, orientation Building mock-ups Exploring tools and materials Using simple digital devices See 17_12_Curricula.pptx for more information

Astronomy Literacy Curricula across partner countries do not mention space or astronomy directly although several topics relate directly to either one As such, teachings on space and astronomy rely more on the initiative of the teachers/parents than on official requirements

E-book Use of e-books in the classroom is not widespread Geographic differences may apply The use of e-books and digital resources is welcome and arrangements for their use can be often provided (e.g. read on a PC instead) Reading to children is done on a regular basis. Interacting with a book is seen as a nice feature capable of further engaging children

The children Space and astronomy sparkle children curiosity Children love to be told stories (specially at bedtime) Many cartoons and comics include characters “not from Earth” to which children are accustomed to At this early stage, hands-on activities, physical exercise, (all to do with movement) drawing, puzzles, using building bricks/blocks is more appropriate than seat-and-read focused activity Children are moved by a world of fantasy and this should be depicted in various colours, shapes, languages, characters etc.

Recommendations Focus on the storyboard Use of levels, investigative setting, do-it-yourself, hands-on activity Looking for something lost Include unexpected events Have kids making choices about the unfolding of events Make the best use of the technology Taking pictures, drawing/making toys, rockets and spaceships etc with the digital devices and include that in the story Include some level of gaming in the form of challenges Use of sounds, songs Use of interactive features from the internet. Provide pointers for material related to space and astronomy (e.g. ESA, ANAWE etc)

Recommendations Use of appealing/ludic/playful colours, names, title, characters Tablet is the preferred device to be used for the e-book Make sure there is a “real-world” counter part (e.g. building a toy or a rocket with toilet paper)

Recommendations Two-stage story Sun-Earth-Moon The remainder of the solar system planets (and eventually elements of the outer space) The importance of the Sun for life See 18_02_ResearchObjectives.pptx for more information