Astronomy in Primary Education: A Teacher Training Project

This study addresses the critical barrier to effective astronomy education in primary schools: the lack of content knowledge, confidence, and specialized pedagogical skills among educators. A two-day teacher training initiative was designed to improve comprehension of essential astronomical concepts and instructional readiness for 15 preschool educators. The project utilized a pre- and post-assessment framework to evaluate changes across domains, including awareness, comprehension, and preparedness. Pre-assessment data indicated that 53% of participants scored below the proficiency threshold. Following the intervention, post-assessment results demonstrated a profound and significant enhancement in instructional readiness. Over 90% of participants achieved high scores (levels 6–10), showing a substantial improvement in conceptual comprehension. Educators also gained increased confidence in developing practical learning resources and utilizing inquiry-based methods to rectify common misconceptions. This study validates that structured, targeted professional development is crucial for improving early childhood science education and substantially augmenting instructors’ ability to provide engaging, science-oriented educational experiences, thereby fostering an early interest in STEM and curiosity about the cosmos

Astronomy, Teacher, Training, Outreach, Primary Student

1. Abidin, Z.Z., Asillam, M.F. & Koay, J.Y. Expanding astronomy research in Malaysia. Nat Astron 4, 1115–1117 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-020-01230-x [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Aimran Wan Mohd, Wan Mohd Kamil (2020). Education and Heritage in the era of Big Data in Astronomy Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 367, 2020 R. M. Ros, B. Garcia, S. R. Gullberg, J. Moldon & P. Rojo, eds. doi:10.1017/S1743921321000247 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bailey, J. M., & Slater, T. F. (2003). A review of astronomy education research. Astronomy Education Review, 2(2), 20–45. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Chastenay, P. (2015). Professional development under the Moon: Inquiry-based learning for primary teachers in astronomy. Journal of Astronomy & Earth Education, 2(1), 37–48. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Langendorf, J. M., Keown, K., & Lockwood, A. (2021). Empowering teachers with virtual astronomy labs: Conceptual change through digital inquiry. International Journal of Astronomy Education, 4(2), 21–33. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Othman Zainon , Aimi Musa, Zakiah Mohamad Ashari, Nor Sakinah Mohamad (2024). The Role of Astronomy in Early Stem Education: A Case Study of Preschool Teacher Training Programs. International Journal Of Academic Research In Progressive Education And Development. Vol. 13, No. 4, pg 2018–2031, 2024, E-ISSN: 2226-6348. DOI: 10.6007/IJARPED/v13-i4/23795 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Othman Zainon (2025). Service Learning in Astronomy Outreach: Engaging Secondary School Students in Malaysia. International Journal Of Research And Innovation In Social Science (IJRISS). ISSN No. 2454-6186 | DOI: 10.47772/IJRISS | Volume IX, Issue IIIS, February 2025. Pg 821 - 829 | Special Issue on Education. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Percy JR. Why astronomy is useful and should be included in the school curriculum. In: Pasachoff J, Percy J, eds. Teaching and Learning Astronomy: Effective Strategies for Educators Worldwide. Cambridge University Press; 2005:10-13. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Percy, J. R. (2006). Why astronomy is useful and should be included in the school curriculum. In Proceedings of the Madrid International Conference on Teaching and Learning Astronomy (pp. 3–8). University of Toronto. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Pundt, H., & Behrens, C. (2006). Students’ ideas about astronomy: A conceptual change approach. Advances in Space Research, 38(10), 2237–2241. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Raviv Ayala and Dadon Miri (2021). Teaching Astronomy in Kindergarten: Children’s Perceptions and Projects. Athens Journal of Education—Volume 8, Issue 3, August 2021—Pages 305-328 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Sharp, J. (1996). Children’s astronomical beliefs: A preliminary study of Year 6 children in south-west England. International Journal of Science Education, 18(6), 685–712. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Trumper, R. (2001). A cross-age study of junior high school students’ conceptions of basic astronomy concepts. International Journal of Science Education, 23(11), 1111–1123. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study