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[81.07] The Canadian Astronomy Education and Public Outreach Initiative

J. R. Percy (U. Toronto)

In Canada, astronomers do not have access to science and mathematics education funding such as NSF and NASA provide in the USA. Nevertheless, the Canadian astronomical community has always been very active in education and public outreach (EPO) at the local, provincial, and national level, thanks to the initiative of astronomers -- both professional and amateur -- and their institutions and associations. In 2001, the Canadian astronomical community embarked on a major EPO initiative, led by the Canadian Astronomical Society (CAS) in partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) and other organizations. The initiative was motivated by a new long-range plan for astronomy in Canada, by the availability of modest funding for EPO, by the appearance of astronomy in the school science curriculum in several provinces, and by a heightened national interest in science education and literacy. As Chair of the CAS Education Committee, and coordinator of the EPO initiative, I shall describe its origin, funding, goals and strategies, organization, partnerships, programs, and projects.

Supported by a PromoScience grant from NSERC Canada.

The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: jpercy@utm.utoronto.ca

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 34
© 2002. The American Astronomical Soceity.