Report of The CASCA Education Committee (1997-98)

   The Education Committee members are: P. Bastien, P. Delaney, D.
Forbes (chair), D. Guenther, B. Martin, J. Matthews, J. Penfold, J.
Percy, and R. Robb.  Jaymie Matthews served as chair until spring of
1998 - the Committee would like to thank Jaymie for all the work he
has done as chair.

   A number of issues are being looked into, the most pressing of
which has been the question of continuing CASCA support for the
"Universe in the Classroom" newsletter published quarterly by the ASP.
There are nearly 400 issues being delivered to Canadian addresses
(essentially unchanged from 1993), at a cost to the ASP of nearly
$1.00 (US) per mailing.  Thus the CASCA annual contribution of $1200
(US) does not meet the $1600 (US) needed to reach Canadian
subscribers.  Compared to the number of mailings to other non-US
addresses, the number going to Canada is relatively small.

   The committee strongly recommends that CASCA continue its support
for the "Universe in the Classroom" newsletter.  The level of support
is quite modest, and does not even cover the cost of serving the
present small numbers of Canadian subscribers.  The newsletter is an
excellent means of getting good astronomy into the classroom, and this
benefits us all, no matter whose country the classroom is in.

   A related issue is the question of providing a translation of the
newsletter into French.  At present, the ASP relies entirely on
volunteers to provide translations (in 6-8 different languages, but so
far, not including French).  This issue is still being looked into.

   Other items to be considered by the committee include:

 o the notion of a CASCA lectureship programme (feasibility, joint
programme with CAP or others, location of pilot programme, etc.)

 o continued development of an astronomy education web site

 o establishing a media contact/relations list, to give Canadian news
services access to Canadian sources of astronomy expertise

 o the role of the committee in education sessions at annual CASCA
meetings

   
     Astronomy education can play a large role in raising the general
level of "science literacy".  This has both tangible and less tangible
benefits for our science.  The committee would be happy to hear
comments, suggestions, and criticism from the membership, so that we
can do a better job of getting astronomy into the public eye.


					Douglas Forbes
					for the Education Committee