In the light of IYA2009, early this year I started a project here in Serbia which was designed to bring the subject of astronomy and the Universe to the youngest. Sufficient funds were approved, but things being the way they are here, we got those funds late this summer, so now we’re working on this with double than planned speed and it’s sometimes exhausting but it’s way more fun than I thought it would be. The concept of astronomy and things related is introduced late in the 5th grade in the elementary schooling system in Serbia, as a part of a general geography class. Our idea was to start even earlier – to bring astronomy to 1st and 2nd-graders.

It happened on this date September 22nd:

1971 Michael Faraday, English physicist and chemist was born. he discovered electromagnetic induction and the laws of electrolysis.

1862 American president Abraham Lincoln announced Emancipation Proclamation with witch slavery was abolished.

It always amazes me, in a negative way, unfortunately, how only a small number of people know how to make and deliver a good presentation. For us scientists, that’s usually the Achilles’ heel. “Crazy scientists” get so caught up in their science that when they present it in a scientific meeting, or to general public, presentation often looks confusing, boring or sometimes even scary. But there are some general rules that, when applied, can do magic with your presentation. You can apply these rules to a scientific presentation, to a business presentation, to any kind of presentation where you need to pitch an idea to a small or large audience. There are people whose job IS to teach you how to make a good presentation. To give you a disclaimer right away – I’m not one of those people. I’m just someone who has learned these things in the process. But if you try this out, I know you will find it useful. So without further ado I give you

“My 10 presenting commandments”

The real title of this post should be „Why I am doing this“, but the one above adds more drama, and people like drama, so there you have it. Anyway, I want to tell you two anecdotes that in a way explain why I care so much about talking to people about astronomy and communicating science in general.

I’ve spent most of my professional research life talking and thinking about cosmic rays, though I’ve never actually seen one. But, recently, with using mostly just your every day at home/office stuff I’ve  got the glimpse of those cosmic rays and that just blew my mind!

A few years ago folks in the UK started a project called FameLab. Now, those were not just any folks - those were science communicators, and they decided to make a science version of Idol show - FameLab.

I recently had this discussion with some young students and though that it would be nice to share it here.

Some people unfortunately mistake astronomy for astrology and think that it is in astronomers job description to make astrological charts. That would be a totally different and painful topic so lets not go into that now.

Hello to you all astro-lovin’ folks! And  hello to you skeptics too! Many happy greetings to all of you who have stumbled upon this little blogging experiment of mine all for the good cause of bringing astronomy to you!