Innovative practices in astronomy science education in China – A case study of BJP's science communication activities

Abstract

As China’s only non-core K-12 science subject, astronomy education faces resource constraints. Beijing Planetarium (BJP), home to the Chinese Astronomical Society Popularization Committee, addresses this through tiered programs. The Secrets of Time and Space series uses exhibitions for upper primary students, while the 3D-Printed Astronomy Course integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) technology. The Astronomy Science Creative Workshop targets advanced learners with STEM foundations, fostering interdisciplinary skills. The Children Role-Playing Imperial Astronomers series leverages the Beijing Ancient Observatory to highlight ancient Chinese achievements. BJP’s international collaborations via Network for Astronomy School Education (NASE) adopt the 14 steps to the universe framework. Teaching modalities include offline Cosmic Youth Group parent–child programs and Cosmic Laboratory experiments, alongside online Celestial e-Classroom and Stellar Sisters Workshop. Nationwide initiatives like Mobile Planetarium, Teacher Training, and Astronomy Competition extend reach. Since 1957, BJP has been pivotal in astronomy education. The 2012 NASE partnership accelerated global integration. Future plans focus on expanding collaborations to bridge educational gaps and advance astronomy popularization.

Keywords

• astronomy science education
• beijing planetarium
• international collaboration
• china
• astronomical popularization