Astronomy Online for All Ages

Carter Observatory

The National Observatory of New Zealand

2006 March 24

Astronomy Online for All Ages

New Zealand’s National Observatory, the Carter Observatory’s distance learning unit operates through astronomy online courses over the whole country and increasingly covers all age groups.

Spokesperson Anna Honore says: “for the primary school children we have recently introduced a fun and exciting course which at the moment draws enthusiastic primary school children in the thousands all over the country to sign up to ‘Astronomy for Little Stars’.”

The secondary school courses, of which there are three, teaches basic astronomy to secondary students and adults, and have been selling throughout the country for 3 years now. “Recently it was agreed that these courses, which also gain secondary students credits for their national framework should also be launched to NZ seniors”, adds Ms. Honore

Now, Ann Walker of Auckland is an online student with the National Observatory of New Zealand. She is one of the senior students who are doing secondary school astronomy courses as a hobby.

Ann said “I firmly believe that you are never too old to learn. I remember that almost 50 years ago I stood outside in the cold and watched as the Sputnik went past. My interest was rekindled when I discovered the Carter Observatory Distance Learning Programme”.

Ann began with the course “The Solar System” and “found it to be fascinating and informative”.

“Because work and personal commitments precluded me from attending classes locally, I was able to work in my own time and at my own pace, and am looking forward to enrolling in another course in the near future” Ann said.

Please contact anna@carterobservatory.net for more information or visit www.carterobservatory.net

The Certificate awarded to successful students.

ENDS

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