Quote:
Originally Posted by xelasnave
As much as I respect Mr Garret dont let the point be lost that he is in effect a rock star it would be nice if we had someone other than rocks stars and sports people provided as role models. Kids are impressionable and some of the impressions they must form from following some of their current heros can not be very good. I am glad my Son did not use sports people as his roll model or a rock star.. and dont get me wrong he plays the guitar with me and was into martial arts, still surfs etc but has grown up past this stage in life, and moved into the world of grown ups.. I see a problem I guess others may not see as "real".
alex
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Alex,
Peter Garret was always a 'Political Activist' that used music as his platform to make youth 'think' about environmental, political, war and justice issues. He was a 'Youth Style' politician more than a rock star. He is a good friend of a friend of mine (an ex-employee of mine in youth work), and he would just drop in to visit the kids at our centre (when he was within 100k) and he had the kids spellbound and interested in politics. And this was before he even entered politics.
We allowed him to take control of our sessions as he
was a 'role model' in getting kids to think! He never encouraged them to support his views, but to examine what policies will effect their future. As Manager of the centre, I never hesitated in letting him chat with them for as long as he wanted to. Within minutes they forgot he was a so called 'rock star' and they accepted him as an old fart with a good point.
As far as Astronomy in schools, I am not sure that it would be presented as a stand-alone subject, rather as a section of the normal science program. I personally have the occasional Astronomy Day at our local Primary Schools, but I feel guilty lately as my job has made it 90% impossible for me to do it this year.
I love it, the kids love it, and it should be encouraged, but I personally believe that until we are like the 'Jetsons' it will never be accepted as a main subject. And by then our kids will be behind the 8 ball.
Then there is also the personal side. I often get asked by kids (and Adults) at astronomy day if there are any aliens or any form of intelligent life in outer space, are there UFO's, etc.
Now, do I answer them with what I believe, or do I toe the line with the education department policy and say 'I am not allowed to answer that'. I usually say 'no-one knows 100% for sure yet'
There is actually an Astronomy Curriculum to be adhered to when speaking in schools, but out in the public it is open slather!
