Unfolding the Key Elements of Modern Sciences through General Education Courses on Astronomy and its History

Unfolding the Key Elements of Modern Sciences through General Education Courses on Astronomy and its History

Speaker: Dr. Tong Shiu Sing (Dept. of Physics)
Date: 21 November 2016 (Monday)
Language: Cantonese

Astronomy is the oldest of the sciences, dating back to antiquity. Originated from religious beliefs, philosophical and political demands, ancient astronomical activities have also indirectly become the foundation of sciences. The revolution in astronomy in the 16th century has indeed directly contributed to the birth of modern physics and completely changed the history of the humankind. Western astronomy has its heritage in ancient Greek and medieval Islamic cultures, with its own unique system of mathematical logic and empirical research methods, which is completely incompatible with ancient Chinese traditions. Questions like whether the scientific revolution in the West during the 16th-17th centuries arose from the Renaissance and external factors such as the change of social structure, or from internal factors such as culture and mathematical convention; and why there had not been a scientific revolution in China have always been the focus of debates among the historians of science history. Through teaching the history of astronomy in General Education, students can be guided to understand the key elements of modern sciences. In this GE lunch seminar, the speaker will outline the following:

1. how to compare Chinese and Western scientific conventions and unfold the elements of modern sciences in University General Education courses, with illustrations from the history of astronomy;
2. how to illustrate  abstract astronomical or scientific concepts, and scientific methodologies to students, especially those not in the science disciplines, without involving too many technical details; and
3. how to teach students to distinguish scientific and non-scientific elements in the history of astronomy, and explain the contributions of scientific methodologies towards human civilization.

Speaker’s Bio
Dr. Tong Shiu Sing is Senior Lecturer of the Department of Physics, and Associate Director of the Centre for Promoting Science Education.  Dr. Tong has received the 2010 Physics Teaching Award, the Exemplary Teaching Award of the Faculty of Science in 2011 and 2015, and the 2015 Exemplary Teaching Award in General Education. Dr. Tong has been teaching UGEB2410 Astronomy for more than twenty years; and UGEB2510 The Stars and Our Lives, initiated and designed by himself, for more than 10 years. Dr. Tong is enthusiastic in promoting science and physics education in secondary schools: he has been involved in the curriculum design of the new senior secondary school physics subject, published several web-based teaching kits, illustrated the abstract concepts of physics to secondary students by making use of multimedia, novel computer software and enriched empirical methods. Dr. Tong is also the author of several physics and integrated sciences textbooks for secondary students., In recent years, Dr. Tong has dedicated himself in the promotion of physics and science education through appearance in television programmes, newspapers, magazines, social media; and speaking in seminars and adjudicating in science project competitions