Bringing Astrobiology Down to Earth

Abstract

Astrobiology seeks to understand life in the universe through various disciplines and approaches. Astrobiology not only provides crosscutting content, but its study supports the three dimensions of learning promoted by the Next Generation Science Standards. While astrobiology research has been progressive and has accomplished great feats for science and society, astrobiology education in schools and colleges has lagged behind astrobiology research. Astrobiology can be used in the classroom as an engaging context for the Socratic method or in long- or short-term projects to encourage higher-order thinking.

Secondary School Students' Knowledge and Opinions on Astrobiology Topics and Related Social Issues

“…These conclusions, along with those of existing works (e.g., Carrapiço et al, 2002;Brake et al, 2006;Slater, 2006;Arino de la Rubia et al, 2009;Oliveira and Barufaldi, 2009;Quinlan, 2015), will be considered for the implementation of an astrobiology curriculum for secondary school students within the Spanish educational system.…”

Overview and perspectives of Astrobiology

“…近年来, 国内学者相继出 版了《空间微生物学基础与应用研究》 [104] 、《生物 再生生命保障系统理论与技术》 [ 1 0 5 ] 、《宇宙生物 学》 [106] 、《中国学科发展战略·地球生物学》 [107] 、 《空间生物学与空间生物技术》 [108] 等著作或译著, 标 ( (3) 加强天体生物学科普宣传与教育. 宇宙和生命 是引起人们无限遐想的两个永恒主题, 天体生物学是 研究宇宙中的生命, 它关注的一些问题甚至涉及哲 学、宗教、社会科学等方面 [117] , 对各个年龄段的公众 都具有天然的神秘感和吸引力, 是开展科普宣传和教 育的最佳领域 [118,119] . 美国NASA天体生物学研究所自 成立之初就要求每个成员机构必须开展本科生/研究 生/博士后教育以及中小学生和公众的科普宣传 [17] .…”

The UK Centre for Astrobiology: A Virtual Astrobiology Centre. Accomplishments and Lessons Learned, 2011–2016

“…Its interdisciplinary remit brings traditionally separated subject areas together, often forming some of the richest areas of science. In addition to primary scientific research, it offers enormous potential in its contribution to education (Sauterer, 2000 ; Quinlan, 2015 ). One of its most potent questions— “Are we alone in the Universe?” —fascinates people of all ages and interests.…”