The Role of Astronomy in Romanian Education

Despite the interest, curiosity and the enthusiasm of the large public for Astronomy as a scientific discipline, it is absent from the current Romanian curriculum. We present here the results of two surveys that involve parents and teachers and show the necessity, the relevance and the usefulness of including astronomy as a discipline in the curriculum, or at least astronomical related content. We emphasize the interdisciplinary character of Astronomy and suggest using Astronomy as a tool in motivating students towards science and in integrating the science curriculum. Astronomy is amazingly the oldest interdisciplinary approach to science and a most natural way of curriculum integration.