Astronomy education in Malta

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the knowledge in astronomy of seven independent groups, to compare the level of knowledge in astronomy of one particular group before and after taking a credit in astronomy, to document the recent progress or regress in astronomy education in Malta and to propose a SEC level syllabus for Astronomy, had it to be introduced in Malta. This research used both the qualitative and also the quantitative modes of enquiry; additional literature was used to compile the syllabus. There were 101 questionnaire respondents and 9 interviewees who participated in this research. The data collected from the questionnaires was subject to statistical analysis. The results showed that physics teachers were the most knowledgeable from the seven independent groups with a comparable score to student-teachers in their fourth year of studies at the University of Malta, the least knowledgeable were boys' secondary school students with a comparable score to girls' secondary school students. The credit (MSS4202) in astronomy offered at the University of Malta was found to be effective in increasing the knowledge in astronomy of the prospective physics teachers. From the interviews the recent history of astronomy education was documented showing some changes that have occurred in the past years, whereas students had the opportunity to take up an O-level in astronomy in the 1970s and 1980s, we no longer offer astronomy at O-level in Malta.