Description
We will provide an overview of astronomy education in the school curriculum in Japan, recent attempts at STEAM education and their relation with astronomy education, and teacher training at universities that support formal education. We will also mention the efforts of the Astronomical Society of Japan. There are challenges that we are currently facing. These include the lack of science classes in the lower grades of elementary school, astronomy education is not offered at continuous grade levels from elementary school to high school, and the low choice rate for the elective subject of Earth Science in high school which leads to only a small number of students being exposed to astronomy in the upper secondary education. In addition, there remains a large gender gap in Japan in the STEM fields. We will also discuss measures to address these issues.
