Global Astronomy Survey: Panama

First Submission : Eduardo Chung [see human resources section] 26 June 2009

SPoC Approval : Yes

1. Professional (Research) Astronomy:

(i) Number of universities offering Astronomy (and their names)

None.

(ii) Number of universities offering Physics (and their names)

Two:

Universidad de Panama

Universidad Nacional de Chiriquí

(iii) Number of academics who have been trained in Astronomy (ideally

with their names and levels of qualification)

Eduardo Saenz, some courses a.k.a. CURCAA

Eduardo Chung, some courses a.k.a. CURCAA

Vicente Forero, Master Degree

Etelvina Medina, some courses a.k.a. CURCAA

(iv) Number of astronomical facilities (observatories, telescopes, etc)

and as much detail about each as possible (websites/contact details)

None observatories

None Telescope

Two personal telescope

(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 IV

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)

Before IYA 2009, don´t have any programmes for the public

(ii) What non-governmental astronomy/science outreach programmes for the

public take place (NGO activities or international programmes that your

country is involved in)

I don´t know, probably none.

(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?

Almost no presence in TV, or RADIO.  Maybe in newspaper a little more presence, but its directly taken from other international newspaper, and its printed as TECHNOLOGICAL AND  SCIENCE news.  Media is not very interested in publishing news on Astronomy.

(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?

Publics always likes to knows 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.)

Strong potential. (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)

None

(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?

Yes, in junior high school (7th, 8th, 9th graders).  Is not very prominent.

(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?

A lot of kids studying science and math, to became a doctor, or engineering.  Almost no students want to study science/math as a major.

(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.)

In need of support. (Phase 2)

If you have any other comments or information that you believe would be useful, please include it.

No.