Astronomy Outreach

in the Philippines

Rogel Mari Sese

Juan Antonio Tuazon

Mark Ivan Roblas

Lordnico Mendoza

Stephanie Tumampos

PHILIPPINES

Land Area: 300, 000 km2

Language: Filipino, English

Population: 98,500,000

Weather: Tropical Maritime Climate

Geography: 7,107 islands,

Mountainous, Volcanic of origin

and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire

CHALLENGES

• Astronomy is not extensively discussed in schools

compared to other scientific disciplines.

•Astronomy is a virtually unknown field and has been

much related to Astrology and/or superstitious beliefs.

•Lack of exposure among educators regarding the

importance of astronomy.

•Lack of critical mass of trained professional astronomers.

•Lack of a separate astronomy or space agency.

PUBLIC INTEREST

There has been a surge of PUBLIC INTEREST through MEDIA.

ACTIVIT IES

NATIONAL ASTRONOMY WEEK

• Started in 1992 and held annually every third

week of February.

• Spearheaded by the Philippine Atmospheric,

Geophysical and Astronomical Services

Administration (PAG-ASA) and the Philippine

Astronomical Society.

•Activities include public lectures, quiz

contests, stargazing sessions and astronomy

camps.

ACTIVIT IESWORLD SPACE WEEK

•Handled by the Science Education Institute of the Department of

Science and Technology (DOST-SEI).

•Activities include water bottle rocket launch competition,

poster making contest, lectures, telescope viewing and mobile

planetarium.

ACTIVIT IESWORLD SPACE WEEK

• A mobile science laboratory/classroom

that travels all over the country to

educate students and the public

• On board the science bus are

astronomy and space science module

that was proven to be popular among

students and public.

ACTIVIT IESYURI’S NIGHT

• Started in April 2013 and was

held at the Nido Fortified Science

Discovery Center (NFSDC) of the

SM Mall of Asia in Manila.

• Lectures about the importance

and applications of astronomy

and space science was done.

• Generated awareness to

various government agencies

and the public as well.

OUTREACHAmateur and Student Outreach•Major amateur astronomy organizations:

•Student astronomy organizations in universities:

OUTREACH

PLANETARIUM in a SHOPPING MALL

CAPITALIZ ING THE TREND

•Outreach activities should have a proper theme, coordination and

collaboration among various participating agencies.

To gain more public interest, these outreach activities must be

EFFECTIVE AND WIDESPREAD.

•Collectively campaign for an increase in government support and

funding for astronomy outreach.

•Activities should be distributed over the country and establishment

of several astronomy centers.

•Activities should be spread over the year to continually keep

astronomy within view of the general public.

THANK YOU!

Biri Island, Samar, Philippines