[Aidan (Aidan)]

It is a shame to see schools slipping so much in recent years. i am not in the ranks of some of our senior members, but even since i left school 10 years ago i have seen a rapid decline.

I appears from an outside observers view point science is more about passing the exam, (i.e. plugging the numbers into a formula correctly) as opposed to an understanding of how the formula is derived, and the experimental observation leading to the outcome.

I guess good astronomy teaching has to begin at home... My three year old saw Saturn about a week ago through the scope, correctly identified and was ridiculously excited for the next few days. Her favourite book at the moment is "Practical Astronomy" - Think I am doing something right as a parent.

in defence of schools, they can only do so much with the limited resourses and enforced ciriculum.