Over the past 8 years, male students in Ho Chi Minh City have learned basic knowledge about space, astronomy and observed some natural phenomena with their parents. Ms. Hong Anh said that even though she did not fully understand the principles, she was very excited. "Astronomical knowledge and activities are attractive to both adults and children. My son loves it," she said.

She does not expect her child to be good at Physics, astronomy or career orientation "because she is still young", but Ms. Hong Anh sees her child learning better in natural sciences after these experiences.

Mr. Nguyen Trong Luan, 34 years old, Nam Tu Liem district, Hanoi, also often takes his 5-year-old son to experience aviation, space, and astronomy. Earlier this month, he and his baby participated in an activity using virtual reality glasses to observe space from the International Space Station ISS. "It's not necessary that you have to do a related job in the future, but this is an opportunity for you to access new knowledge," he said.

As for Le Thi Van Quynh, 12 years old, a student at a secondary school in Hanoi, she learned about this field when studying science and English subjects. Because the class program did not have a separate section on space science, Van Quynh actively researched online, read books and participated in experiential activities. Van Quynh's father - Mr. Le Quang Huy, thinks that this helps his daughter have a different perspective on science and the things around her, more macro and comprehensive.

Mr. Dang Tuan Duy, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City Amateur Astronomy Club, noticed that more and more parents and students are interested in the field of astronomical science.

In this club's "Bringing Astronomy to Children" project alone, after five years of operation, the number of members aged 6-13 years old is currently about 400, an increase of 20-30% in 2022 compared to the previous year. Students have access to basic Physics and astronomy textbooks and practice observing phenomena. Mr. Duy said there is still a lot of student demand, but the club cannot open massively, because the number of people teaching classes and limited equipment.

In 2022, the Space Exploration Center, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, welcomes 51 delegations with more than 5,420 visitors. Deputy Director Tran Thi Thuy Linh said that most of the visitors to the center are students, of whom grades 4-5 and grades 9-10 are quite large because their curriculum covers this field.

According to Tran Hoang Chau Anh, member of the Astronomy Club, Hanoi - Amsterdam Specialized School, many parents and I were contacted, wanting to let their children in elementary and middle school participate. The club only recruits members who are high school students, but has activities aimed at children 8-13 years old, in order to bring astronomy to as many students as possible. In the last two times the introduction to astronomical science was organized in March and June 2022, about 100 students of this age attended.

Tran Dinh Dung, a former Hanoi - Amsterdam specialized student, who just won a 6.1 billion VND scholarship to pursue Physics at Dartmouth University, USA, said that joining the club helps him gain more understanding. Know about science subjects such as Math, Physics, Chemistry. "Astronomy can be considered a very good complement to Physics, especially in terms of phenomena because we cannot know what is happening on stars, planets, or celestial bodies such as craters. black or Neutron star," Dung said. In addition, according to male students, activities such as stargazing are also a way to relax, helping the mind "fly away".

Mr. Craig Gingerich, STEAM Director of True North School (Hanoi), believes that some people who think space science is too difficult for children are wrong. In fact, this field is suitable for all ages, space exploration activities promote breakthrough thinking, engineering and practical skills - necessary qualities in many other fields such as Mathematics. studies, arts and languages. "Space science encourages students to think big and creatively and creates an environment to develop many necessary 21st century learning skills," Mr. Craig said.

In many countries, space science is part of the school curriculum, starting in kindergarten. Mr. Craig gave an example in the US, "Earth's position in the universe" is the name of a subject for kindergarten children according to the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) curriculum. After that, space science continued to appear in the elementary and middle school curriculum for selected students. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, space science is still a young field. Therefore, according to Dr. Dang Hoai Trung, Head of the Department of Geophysics, University of  Sciences (National University of Ho Chi Minh City), astronomy activities for students are not popular in Vietnam. The number of astronomy clubs in schools is very rare.

As an advisor to the Astronomy Club, part of the Department of Physics - Technical Physics of the University of Natural Sciences, Mr. Trung said that operating costs and equipment purchases are one of the reasons why clubs Ministry, activities related to space science and astronomy are limited and difficult to get funding.

With about 60 official members, the Astronomy Club's activities budget ranges from 12-14 million VND per year. In addition, the cost of buying professional astronomical observation glasses is often quite expensive, so members and teachers often make their own, costing about 5-10 million VND. All are contributed by members or collected from fees for teaching astronomy to international school students.

Mr. Trung sees astronomy and space as belonging to Earth science, an important field in the future, because it is related to climate change, energy, and information transmission.

In order for students to have knowledge about this field, Mr. Craig Gingerich suggested that schools, parents, and students can take advantage of YouTube videos, read news, and participate in experiential activities. "As soon as children ask about the the stars, moon and sun, it's time to explore astronomy," Mr Craig said.

Link: https://vnexpress.net/cho-con-di-ngam-trang-sao-tu-be-4559582.html