Workshop for teachers aims to bring astronomy to classrooms

Dubai - The workshop would be able accommodate up to 400 teachers.

Teachers in the UAE can now learn how to incorporate astronomy into their student's curriculum through a free workshop.
Organised by the Dubai Astronomy Group, the workshop aims to help teachers understand how the study of stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects can be used as an educational tool and be integrated into different class subjects.
Taking place on October 26 at Al Thuraya Astronomy Centre at Mushrif Park, the workshop would be able accommodate up to 400 teachers.
Hasan Al Hariri, CEO of the Dubai Astronomy Group, told Khaleej Times: "This is not the first workshop and it wouldn't be the last. We are trying to create a bridge between us and the education system, where we also want to showcase and demonstrate what science is about and how practical it is for everybody."
The astronomy group opens their doors to the public whenever there is a stellar show that can be viewed through their advanced telescopes. They also take such opportunities to share their expertise along with astronomical facts and trivia.
"It's part of our mandate to support education and spread the knowledge of astronomy. Having such workshops is a must for us. We are also innovating new ways to connect to the education sector, specifically teachers. Empowering teachers will help support the development of the education sector. I believe we have the capability, capacity, and knowledge to give the best to the teachers who want to work with us," he said.
Al Hariri said the workshop would cover different elements, including how astronomy could be used in different subjects.
"The first part of the workshop will be about knowledge and skill development. The process of education has to be enjoyable for teachers and students. They have to love what they do. We are also going to give them practical things that can be learned and provide them with the resources at our centre, so they can support their students to make the education process much better. We have lots of resources available at our centre - we have innovation and tech labs, we have a universe exploration lab, an e-library, soft workshops, and hard workshops. This offers a practical way to help them understand how things are really working in the universe," Al Hariri said.
He is calling on schools to consider using the centre as an educational hub for astronomy lessons, with its advanced telescopes, equipment, and experts on board.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com

• Dubai