How can we teach astrobiology and survive?

Telma Rodrigues; Francisco Carrapiço

doi:10.1117/12.681950

14 September 2006 How can we teach astrobiology and survive?

Telma Rodrigues, Francisco Carrapiço

Proceedings Volume 6309, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology IX; 63090R (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681950
Event: SPIE Optics + Photonics, 2006, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Making science was and always will be a continuous challenge; however teaching science is a step forth. A good example is astrobiology. Defined as the scientific study of biological processes on Earth and beyond, it connects research in chemistry, physics, biology, geology, astronomy and planetary sciences. This interconnected scientific network allows us to visualize a new approach of the life's nature and its origins and development on Earth and elsewhere in the universe. With these goals, we wish to look within the nature of life, observing a new paradigm in the construction of the scientific knowledge. Teaching astrobiology is not an easy task. There are several constrains, such as treating and integrating diverse areas of knowledge and teaching a science that embraces so many questions presently unanswered and on which students have so many doubts and wrong pre-instructional beliefs. Another obstacle is the rapidly spreading of Intelligent Design, the new incarnation of creationism, which considers astrobiology as a danger for its policies, dogmas and philosophy. However, the principal barrier for teaching astrobiology is, without doubt, the difficulty to integrate this science in the curricular domain.

Citation Download Citation

Telma Rodrigues and Francisco Carrapiço "How can we teach astrobiology and survive?", Proc. SPIE 6309, Instruments, Methods, and Missions for Astrobiology IX, 63090R (14 September 2006); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.681950

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available