Why Teach Astronomy in School?

The perfect interdisciplinary subject, that brings cultures together, and inspires arts and beauty.

“Astronomy is useful because it raises us above ourselves; it is useful because it is grand; …. It shows us how small is man’s body, how great his mind, since his intelligence can embrace the whole of this dazzling immensity, where his body is only an obscure point, and enjoy its silent harmony.”
— Henri Poincare, Physicist

Exciting and fascinating as astronomy might be, some might ask how astronomy is useful and how it can be connected to real-life practical problems. Why should it even be taught in school?

Even though astronomy is taught in most schools worldwide, these are still questions that both teachers and students sometimes ask themself, and the answers might not seem to be clear. Astronomy might seem more of a hobby, than a useful skill in everyday life.

Since I am doing a master’s thesis about astronomy teaching, I have dug up some great arguments, most are directly inspired by the article “Why is Astronomy Useful and Should…