Astrobiologists Meet at Höör

by Steinn Sigurdsson 4 Jul 2013 Reports from Events
Published in the "Nordic News" section of Nordita News issue 2, 2013

A couple of dozen astrobiologists met at Åkersberg Herrgård in Höör, Sweden, from June 6th-9th, at the first International Workshop on Education in Astrobiology.

The workshop was organized by Dr. Wolf Geppert of Stockholm University, Director of the Stockholm University Astrobiology Centre, in co-ordination with the Nordic Network of Astrobiology, Société Française d'Exobiologie and Centro de Astrobiología., with attendees from across Europe, the Americas and Middle East.

The workshop consisted of a series of expert presentations on current research in astrobiology, mixed with energetic discussion and presentations on pedagogical issues. A lively group of doctoral students provided critique of the presentations and feedback on the science issues. During the meeting there were extensive and productive discussions of the challenges and opportunities in presenting a heterogenous science, like astrobiology, to different audiences, ranging from the general public and school students, through undergraduate, masters and doctoral university students. The different approaches in different educational systems were compared, and the lecture notes were archived to nucleate a resource on astrobiology for teachers worldwide.

There are plans to for future sessions on astrobiology education during major international science conferences in 2014 and 2015.