Andrew Fraknoi

University of San Francisco, Fromm Institute, Faculty Member

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I have devoted most of my professional career to training students, teachers, informal educators, early-career astronomers, and others to appreciate the excitement of modern astronomy and to find better methods of conveying that excitement to non-specialists. I co-founded the journal Astronomy Education Review with Sidney Wolff, and was Executive Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific for 14 years, where we began Project ASTRO, Family ASTRO, Cosmos in the Classroom conferences, etc. I am the lead author on a series of introductory college astronomy textbooks (including the free online "Astronomy", published by OpenStax, which is now the most frequently-used astronomy text in the country), the author of "Disney's Wonderful World of Space," and co-author of "Solar Science," an activity guide for teachers about the Sun and eclipses. For more information, please see: http://www.fraknoi.com

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Papers by Andrew Fraknoi

On-Line Astronomy Education: Projects and Resources

Ann Boesgaard received the Muhlmann Prize 1990 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Mercury, Dec 1, 1990

Universe in the classroom : a resource guide for teaching astronomy and instructor's manual for Universe

Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy

Colloquium, 1990

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The August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse: The Perfect Opportunity to Highlight Three-Dimensional Science Learning

Science Scope, 2017

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Commentary: Science Teachers as Community Eclipse Outreach Agents

Science Scope, 2017

Book-Review - the Universe

The Challenge of Creationism and Intelligent Design: An Introduction

Astronomy Education Review, 2005

by Andrew FraknoiFoothill College and Astronomical Society of the PacificPosted: 10/03/05The Astr... more by Andrew FraknoiFoothill College and Astronomical Society of the PacificPosted: 10/03/05The Astronomy Education Review, Issue 1, Volume 4:90-94, 2005© 2005, Andrew Fraknoi. Copyright assigned to the Association of Universities for Research inAstronomy, Inc.Readers of the Astronomy Education Review probably don’t need to be told that the scientific world viewis under attack in many places around the world. Here in the United States, ideas from both modernbiology and astronomy are being challenged by religious fundamentalists in several states. In Kansas andelsewhere, organized movements have as their aim to deny the scientific evidence about both the evolutionof species and the age of the universe. A new doctrine called "intelligent design" is being touted as a scientific alternative to evolution, althoughthere is no evidence for it from any reputable peer-reviewed source. Even the president of the UnitedStates has weighed in on the issue, suggesting that such alternative views should be given a forum in ourscience classes. While we believe that evolution as studied and understood by mainstream scientists is inno way incompatible with religious faith, we also believe that science classes should teach science—bydefinition, "the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoreticalexplanation of phenomena." Recent surveys continue to document that the public understanding of science in the United States isdepressingly low. In 2000, the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicated that only 29% offourth graders, 32% of eighth graders, and a depressing 18% of twelfth graders performed at or above thelevel termed proficient in science for their grade. Nor are their parents doing much better. The NSFScience & Engineering Indicators of 2004 reports that fewer than 1/5 of adult Americans can beconsidered minimally science literate in the sense required for participation in civic society.

Resource guides for astronomy educators and their students

Astronomy Education Journal

This is a brief review of my long-term project to create annotated resource guides for astronomy ... more This is a brief review of my long-term project to create annotated resource guides for astronomy educators and their students. The college-level guides focus on a range of astronomical topics, such as “Women in Astronomy,” “Science Fiction and Astronomy,” “Black Lives in Astronomy,” “Music Inspired by Astronomy,” “Light Pollution, Radio Interference, and Satellite Swarms,” etc. Their aim is to bring together pointers to a range of reliable and interesting materials for instruction, discussion, or student projects in one convenient and easy-to-find place

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Interdisciplinary Approaches to Astronomy: Cosmic Fiction, Drama and Poetry

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Gregg Thompson and Robert Evans received the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

115 Years of Communicating Astronomy: Education and Outreach at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Astrophysics and Space Science Library, 2003

For 115 years, the international Astronomical Society of the Pacific has engaged in outreach acti... more For 115 years, the international Astronomical Society of the Pacific has engaged in outreach activities to amateurs and the public. Since the 1970’s the Society has also had an active program fostering improved education in Grades 3–12 and in college and university courses. This article summarizes past and current programs and provides pointers to available resources.

Free Planetary Chart

Donald Goldsmith received the Klumpke-Roberts Award 1990 of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

George H. Herbig received the Bruce Medal

Mercury, 1980

Astronomy Books of 1984 - Part Two - the Technical List

Resource Guide: The Discovery of Pluto: Unknown Aspects of the Story

A National Clearinghouse for Higher Education Space and Earth Sciences, 2000

Ten Science Fiction Writers for Scientists and Science Enthusiasts

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Homework: Frank Drake in His Own Words about the Origin of the Drake Equation

A National Clearinghouse for Higher Education Space and Earth Sciences, 2000

December the Twentieth (2012) Is Too Late: Addressing the

The claimed end date of the Mayan "Long Count'' calendar cycle on December 21, 2012 ... more The claimed end date of the Mayan "Long Count'' calendar cycle on December 21, 2012 has given rise to assorted "New Age'' speculations about major transformative events occurring in conjunction with the completion of this cycle. These speculations range from a global consciousness shift to some higher plane of understanding, to various apocalyptic disasters including increased solar activity, geomagnetic reversal,