Slovenia |
Tuesday, 14 April 2009 00:00 |
Global Astronomy Survey : Slovenia
First Submission : Uros Kostic and Andreja Gomboc [see human resources section] 14 April 2009
1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)
One: University of Ljubljana.
(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)
1. University of Ljubljana 2. University of Maribor 3. University of Nova Gorica
(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally with their names and levels of qualification)
PhD: 1. Andrej Cadez 2. Tomaz Zwitter 3. Mirjam Galicic 4. Andreja Gomboc 5. Simon Vidrih 6. Andrej Prsa 7. Uros Kostic
MSc: Sonja Jejcic
BSc: approximately 50
(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc) and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)
One: Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory Golovec, which is operated by Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana. It is equipped with 70-cm telescope Vega. It mainly serves as a pedagogical facility for students. web-page: http://astro.ago.uni-lj.si/index.html/ , http://www.fiz.uni-lj.si/astro/index.html Address: AGO, Pot na Golovec 25, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Phone: + 386 (0)1 2301704 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Professional Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)
Phase 2: We have existing astronomy research, however the number of astronomy researchers is very low, and none of us have purely research positions - we all have teaching positions.
2. Public Understanding of Astronomy:(i) What governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)
None.
(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)
A number (approx. 15) of amateur astronomical societies. Some of them own observatories, which are funded completely by their members.
(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the media (TV, radio, newspapers). Is it very prominent? Are there specific programmes on astronomy? Is the media generally willing to publish news on astronomy?
The media are willing to publish astronomical news, however due to journalists' lack of astronomical knowledge, the news tend to be misinterpreted.
(iv) Comment on the presence of astronomy/science in the general culture of the people. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Is astronomy a welcome subject of conversation?
The presence of astronomy in the general culture is very low. Very often astronomy is mistaken for astrology, and/or astrology is taken as equal to astronomy.
(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Public Understanding of Astronomy? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)
Phase 3.
3. Astronomy in Schools:
(i) What governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (co-ordinated either by government departments or national facilities)
None.
(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science education and outreach programmes for schools take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your country is involved in)
Non-obligatory astronomical camps and research assignments for schools.
(iii) Comment on the presence of astronomy in the school curriculum. Is it part of the school curriculum? Is it very prominent? What age groups?
The presence of astronomy is not prominent. Students in primary schools can choose astronomy as one of selective courses. There are also some basics taught during physics and geography courses. Age group: 12-17.
(iv) Comment on the status of astronomy/science in schools. Are there any specific challenges or setbacks? Sufficient number of students studying maths and science? General interest in maths/science/astronomy in schools?
The main problem is the lack of astronomical education of school teachers. Also the students are less and less interested in science, mathematics and astronomy.
(v) Self evaluation (according to the different phases above, how would you rate your country in terms of Astronomy in Schools? Please include any other relevant information to motivate your choice.)
Phase 3: Physics and mathematics are present and obligatory in primary schools. Astronomy (if present) mostly takes only a very small part of other courses.
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