23-25 November 2026
Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, Mactan, Cebu
Asia/Manila timezone

O15 - Connecting Classrooms to the Universe: Enhancing Astronomy Education through Planetariums

23 Nov 2026, 16:00
15m
Ballroom III (Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort)

Ballroom III

Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort

Oral Presentation Astronomy Education Contributor Session

Speaker

Mr Sanghyun Ha (METASPACE / Korea National University of Education)

Description

Astronomy is one of the most inspiring subjects in the school science curriculum, but teaching it in a standard classroom comes with challenges. Most lessons rely heavily on flat 2D images, diagrams, and textbook explanations. As a result, many students struggle to clearly understand complex concepts, such as the scale of the universe, planetary motions, and space missions. Planetariums offer a powerful solution to bridge this gap. By turning static concepts into immersive visual experiences, planetariums can create dynamic learning spaces that increase student engagement and conceptual understanding.

This presentation introduces an ongoing educational program that integrates Korea’s national science curriculum with planetarium technology, using SkyExplorer software. The program focuses on space exploration, allowing students to virtually travel through the Solar System, visit distant space probes, and observe celestial events from dynamic perspectives. We will share practical ideas for program development, demonstrate key educational content, and discuss how immersive planetarium experiences can strengthen astronomy education in schools.

Primary authors

Mr Sanghyun Ha (METASPACE / Korea National University of Education) Mr Soonchang Park (METASPACE) Ms Jungjoo Sohn (Korea National University of Education)

Presentation Materials

There are no materials yet.