Óscar D. S. Pinto
FCUP

Abstract
In the context of the International Year of Astronomy, Centro de Astrofisica da Universidade do Porto is conducting a study to ascertain the degree of understanding of several key astronomical concepts by students in the last 6 years of the Portuguese school system (years 7-12). This is based on a multiple-choice 20-question quiz that students are asked to fill in 30 minutes. At the time of writing, about 2000 students have done so. The study also contrasts our results with the national curriculum standards in the relevant areas and searches for any factors that might affect student performance, including gender, geographic/economic or environmental (the national school rankings being a proxy for the latter). We will present preliminary results of the study and offer some thoughts on its implications.

2010 July 22, 13:30

IA/U.Porto
Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto (Classroom)
Rua das Estrelas, 4150-762 Porto