Astronomy in public schools---to teach or not to teach?

[Babe Ruthless]

They took astrology out of the classroom, I don't think astronomy should be in there either. It's all beliefs and theories, anyway...

What do you think?

[azqsx]

I think in high school there should be an option for various religious beliefs .

It should not be mandatory, the constitution says the government can't interfere with religious beliefs. It doesn't say you can't pray or express or learn about these things in a public place.

[scotgirl60]

Astronomy is a science. It belongs in schools.

[lcm727]

I think it is obligatory to teach Astronomy. There is a big team outside doing real work of scientific research, we are spending lot of money on spatial exploration, etc.. There is a lot of stuff that is real Science.

But, as you said, there si a lot of theory there. And we can't do the same error we did with Evolution Theory. It needs to be clear: explain which stuff is real data and which is theory.

For example, it is possible that all theories about celestial bodies origins are wrong. Those theories are based on the idea of spontaneous generation. Nobody never saw the origin of any celestial body. The same that Ancient Greek philosophers believed about biological systems. Today we know: it is not thru. And we have today a theory suggesting that celestial bodies origins are almost like genetics, but it is not being teach in the schools, as you can see at the site below...

Your question is very smart... congratulations...

[Colette Pioline]

I think you need to learn the difference between astrology and astronomy.

[bigfunfun]

"Its all beliefs and theories anyway." Just what in hells name do you mean by that? Everything is a belief or a theory. I have the belief that the sun will rise tomorrow. The theory of relativity. Thats the dumbest statement I've ever heard. Its also one of the dumbest questions too. Astronomy is based on huge amounts of scientific evidence and mathematics. Astrology is based on a bunch of wackos with no evidence to support it in any way shape or form. I really hope you are a child, a very young child, otherwise you are immensely stupid.

[fiercefitch]

it teaches kids a type of belief. so i say it should be back in. plus its just a theory.

[Lionel L]

you are thinking of astrology : the study of stars and planets and their supposed affects on people or events Astronomy is the science of the moon planets stars what they are made of how far from the earth etc. Shame to take that out of schools .

[doloresgllamas]

Astronomy is the study of the celestial bodies in outer space, it has nothing to do with belief or faith because it is a science. Why not teach it? The more knowledge children acquire, the better.

As for astrology, it's not a science but a belief that the positions of the planets have something to do with Earthly goings-on. This is faith and belief based, not science based. It's a waste for K-12 schools to spend on.

[Watchman]

I think astronomy should be taught it is the science of learning about the stars and planets and space.