Alex,
What a can of worms you've opened for me
I'm involved in taking Astronomy to our local schools with other members of our club.
As always the kids love looking through scopes, listening to information and they come up with the most challenging questions.
Our approach is to have Sky Planetarium show up during the school day and show the kids the night sky on the dome, that evening our members arrive to show the kids the real thing.
Without exception, (parents included) the results are OOH'S & AHHHH's a very satisfying sound for a astronomer!!!
The can of worms is the complete lack of support by governments.
Our club has just tried to gain access to funding for a large dob, it's main use would have been for the education of our local primary & high schools and for the local university.
As usual the Federal Government, through our local member (Pat Farmer) explained that the coffers were overflowing with money for community projects.
After our club president had spent an enormous amount of time and effort on a very good proposal we were turned down.
The money is there just for show. I know of other astro clubs that have been turned down as well.
BUT, if we were a sporting club I would currently be drowning in money!!!!!
We (astronomers) have to change the mindset of the holders of the purse strings and the creators of the school curriculum, for the betterment of our children.
LONG LIVE SCIENCE!!!!!