The first session on education in astronomy in Europe was organized 10 years ago in Hungary. Since then, every JENAM or EWASS includes a session on this topic. Indeed, in Europe, education differs from education elsewhere, primarily because of its cultural history but also because of its diversity.

EWASS 2014 carries on this tradition. In addition, Geneva will surely attract many participants, both because of the characteristics of Switzerland and of its central position. The title proposed is motivated by the fact that the author of transdisciplinarity was the Swiss scientist Jean Piaget (1896-1980). As the Director of the International Bureau of Education, he claimed that "only education is capable of saving our societies from Possible collapse, whether violent, or gradual" (1934).

Programme

• What is the difference between inter, multi and transdisciplinarity and which are their role in education
• Astronomy education and outreach
• Astronomy education and the history of astronomy
• The role of the family in education
• Astronomy education and light pollution
• New techniques in teaching of astronomy
• The role of the competitions in stimulating the interest of the children for astronomy

Invited speakers

Basarab Nicolescu

"The Transdisciplinary Education and the Challenges of the XXIst Century"

Basarab Nicolescu is the major figure of transdisciplinarity in the world. Honorary theoretical physicist at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Paris, France. Professor at the Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Professor Extraordinary at the School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Member of the Romanian Academy. President-Founder of the International Center for Transdisciplinary Research and Studies (CIRET). His books include: From Modernity to Cosmodernity - Science, Culture and Spirituality, State University of New York (SUNY) Press, 2014; Manifesto of Transdisciplinarity, State University of New York (SUNY) Press, 2002. A complete biobibliography of Basarab Nicolescu can be found on the page: http://basarab-nicolescu.fr/

Scientific organizers

• Magda Stavinschi, president of the IAU C46 (2006-2009), Astronomical Institute of the Romanian Academy, President of the Institute for Transdisciplinary Studies, www.it4s.ro, Romania
• Rosa M. Ros, president of the IAU C46 (2009-2012), President of Network for Astronomy School Education, IAU Program Group Technical University of Catalonia Spain

Contact
For additional information, please contact Magda Stavinschi ( magda_stavinschi @ yahoo.fr ) or Rosa M. Ros ( ros @ ma4.upc.edu ).