An education curriculum for space science in developing countries

A space science education curriculum incorporating recent discoveries and designed around the author's two recent books and a supporting website is proposed. This curriculum complements, extends and updates the worldwide approach to developing space science under the auspices of the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs, including its Space and Atmospheric Science Education Curriculum. A variety of pedagogical tools are suggested for educating and stimulating a broad cross-section of students, including topics of direct human concern and the use of the worldwide web. The proposed curriculum is in two parts: the Sun, and the Moons and Planets. The content of each part is described through major scientific themes, supplemented by descriptions of their key ideas and fundamental discoveries. Our proposed curriculum could be supplemented by a discussion of artificial satellites, used for peaceful scrutiny of our globe. Other satellites are used for military purposes, which should always remain separate from space science. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.