The document discusses the challenges and initiatives for astronomy outreach in the Philippines, highlighting issues such as a lack of educational focus on astronomy, public misconceptions linking it to superstition, and the need for more trained professionals. Key activities include National Astronomy Week, World Space Week, and Yuri’s Night, which aim to increase public interest and awareness through various educational events. The text suggests the importance of coordinated outreach efforts and government support to enhance astronomy education and engagement across the country.

1. AstronomyOutreachinthePhilippines
RogelMari Sese
Juan Antonio Tuazon
Mark IvanRoblas
LordnicoMendoza
StephanieTumampos

2. PHILIPPINES
Land Area: 300, 000 km2
Language: Filipino, English
Population: 98,500,000
Weather: Tropical Maritime Climate
Geography: 7,107 islands, Mountainous, Volcanic of origin and part of the Pacific Ring of Fire

3. CHALLENGES
•Astronomy is not extensively discussed in schools compared to other scientific disciplines.
•Astronomy is a virtually unknown field and has been much related to Astrology and/or superstitious beliefs.
•Lack of exposure among educatorsregarding the importance of astronomy.
•Lack of critical mass of trained professional astronomers.
•Lack of a separate astronomy or space agency.

4. PUBLIC INTEREST
There has been a surge of PUBLIC INTEREST through MEDIA.

5. ACTIVITIES
NATIONAL ASTRONOMY WEEK
•Started in 1992 and held annually every third week of February.
•Spearheaded by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA) and the Philippine Astronomical Society.
•Activities include public lectures, quiz contests, stargazing sessions and astronomy camps.

6. ACTIVITIES
WORLD SPACE WEEK
•Handled by the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-SEI).
•Activities include water bottle rocket launch competition, poster making contest, lectures, telescope viewing and mobile planetarium.

7. ACTIVITIES
WORLD SPACE WEEK
•A mobile science laboratory/classroom that travels all over the country to educate students and the public
•Onboardthesciencebusareastronomyandspacesciencemodulethatwasproventobepopularamongstudentsandpublic.

8. ACTIVITIES
YURI’S NIGHT
•Started in April 2013 and was held at the NidoFortified Science Discovery Center(NFSDC) of the SM Mall of Asia in Manila.
•Lecturesabouttheimportanceandapplicationsofastronomyandspacesciencewasdone.
•Generatedawarenesstovariousgovernmentagenciesandthepublicaswell.

9. OUTREACH
Amateur and Student Outreach
•Major amateur astronomy organizations:
•Student astronomy organizations in universities:

10. OUTREACH
PLANETARIUM in a SHOPPING MALL

11. CAPITALIZING THE TREND
•Outreach activities should have a proper theme, coordination and collaboration among various participating agencies.
To gain more public interest, these outreach activities must be EFFECTIVE AND WIDESPREAD.
•Collectively campaign for an increase in government support and fundingfor astronomy outreach.
•Activities should be distributed over the country and establishment of several astronomy centers.
•Activities should be spread over the year to continually keep astronomy within view of the general public.

12. THANK YOU!
BiriIsland, Samar, Philippines