• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.103-114
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• 2011

We have carried out a follow-up study on the students who have participated or are going to participate in either the International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO), the Asia Pacific Astronomy Olympiad (APAO) or the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) from 2002 to 2011. The survey questionnaires returned from ten high school students including five who are to participate in 2011 as well as fourteen college students have been analyzed in various aspects of their backgrounds and personal characteristics. In family life, their parents tend to have high educational background along with high expectations for their children. In regard to the academic environment, most students express a general satisfaction in school life, including their relationship with teachers and classmates. In personal characteristics, they describe themselves as inquisitive, perseverant, competitive, creative, self-motivated and goal-oriented, in addition to many other traits. Most students have a strong interest in astronomy which usually begins in middle schools through exposure to astronomy books. On top of it, the astronomy olympiad has provided them with an opportunity to strengthen their self-esteem, problem-solving ability and conviction about scientific careers. Accordingly, the experience in astronomy olympiad has led a considerable number of students to continuously studying in astronomy related fields or otherwise in other science and engineering areas. In conclusion, the astronomy olympiad plays such an important role that it can make a significant contribution to astronomy as well as science in general by having positive impact on the potential career path of its participants.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.109-121
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• 2008

The International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) was established by the Euro-Asian Astronomical Society in order to disseminate astronomical knowledge, promote international cooperation in astronomical education area and recognize the importance of astronomy in far-reaching field of science and human culture. The first IAO competition was held at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences located in the north Caucasus of Russia in 1996. Since then, it has been held every year. This paper describes the present status of the IAO main regulations regarding its operation and major results by year, related institutions, and organizations. We created a scientific inquiry framework to analyze past IAO problems in the recognitive aspect in order to measure levels of the scientific knowledges and the scientific thinking abilities. Through this analysis, we can understand the current status of the IAO, and examine the future direction of Korea Astronomy Olympiad. Also, we can make preparation for the IAO competition and the education of delegates.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2011

The International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) initiated by the Thailand Astronomical Society in 2007 is an annual competition for high school students. One of its aim is to enhance the development of international exchange in the field of school education in astronomy and astrophysics. This paper first provides the overview of the IOAA in terms of key regulations based on its statutes, history and current status. Secondly, the published syllabus of the IOAA is used for content analysis according to subject areas regarding the exam questions of the IOAA in theoretical, observational and data analysis parts from 2007 to 2010. Also, a scientific inquiry framework is applied to the same questions for assessment based on scientific inquiry in the cognitive aspect with two sub-classes of scientific knowledge and scientific reasoning. Among a dozen astronomy subject areas listed on the syllabus, the theoretical part of the IOAA makes more frequent use of the Sun, the solar system, properties of stars, and concept of time. In content knowledge, a factor of scientific knowledge, the IOAA questions, especially in the theoretical part have a lesser degree in difficulty than the IAO (International Astronomy Olympiad) exam questions for the same period whose degree in difficulty is comparable to college level. With regard to scientific reasoning, the IOAA questions tend to involve convergent rather than divergent thinking. Lastly, in light of these findings, discussions are given on the outcome of Korean participation in the previous IOAAs and ways to help better in preparing Korean students for future astronomy Olympiads.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.719-730
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• 2004

The International Astronomy Olympiad (IAO) was established and its foundation were published by the Euro-Asian Astronomical Society (EAAS), in order to spread astronomical knowledge, promote international cooperation in astronomical education area, and recognize the importance of astronomy in far-reaching field of science and human culture. In 1996, the first IAO was held at the Special Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) of the Russian Academy of sciences (RAS) located in the north Caucasus of Russia. Since then, it has been held every year. Here, we will describe the present status of the International Astronomy Olympiad, its major results by year, related institutions, organizations, and the main regulations regarding its operation. In order to measure the levels of scientific knowledge and thinking abilities, we develop a rubric to analyze the characteristics of problems in the IAO with regards to cognitive aspects of scientific inquiry. These problems require high levels of content knowledge and scientific method knowledge. Also high order thinking abilities and high levels of convergent thinking skills, instead of divergent, are needed to solve these problems. Thus, the problems presented are set a high difficulty. Through this analysis, we can understand main purpose of the International Astronomy Olympiad and explore the future direction of the Korea Astronomy Olympiad.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2006

We carried out a follow-up study on the students who participated in International Astronomy Olympiad(IAO). We surveyed home and school environment, personal characteristics with regard to four high school student and five college students who participated in IAO from 2002 to 2005. In the home environment variable of science elite students who took part in the IAO, we found out significant corelation between science elites and their parent's educational career. In their personal characteristics, we found out considerably their motivation capacity, intelligent curiosity, flexible and creative thinking ability. This study illuminated that the experience of IAO participation offered the opportunity for the students to gain mare self-esteem and positive confidence on scientific study. The IAO experience is construed to effect greatly the students' future. Through the IAO experience, the participating students are expected to major in astronomy and become excellent astronomers in the future. We expect that the interest of student will increase greatly in the area of astronomy and it will contribute to the substantial development of Korean astronomy. In this respect, with the constant support to the IAO participants, the effort to cultivate outstanding astronomers and follow-up study on those participants of the IAO should be continued.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.431-438
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• 2012

A number of middle and high school students are selected at the Korea Astronomy Olympiad (KAO) in every year. In the first stage of the selection, the resume, school transcript, and recommendation letters from teachers are referred. In the second stage, after video lectures and weekend observation classes, students are tested with on-line homeworks, and interviewed through internet. For 118 students who have gone through the second stage of the 2012 KAO, we have conducted a questionnaire survey, which asks the students the motivation and preparation for the KAO. The survey has also included inquiries for the selection process and education program of the 2012 KAO; the replies will be used as feedbacks for the next year's KAO. The survey has revealed that the first stage worked well, while the second stage needs to be improved in terms of fairness and objectivity. We have found that most students received private tutorings for the KAO, so we suggest efforts should be made for students to be able to prepare the KAO without receiving private tutorings.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.52-52
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• 2006

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.511-523
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to analyze the 1st and 2nd Korea Earth Science Olympiad (KESO) items, in order to find informations to enhance item quality. To do this, internal and external item classification frameworks are developed. Item difficulty (P), discrimination index (DI), correlation, and reliability are estimated by using classical test theory. Generalizability is also estimated by applying the generalizability theory. The results of item classification are as follows: (1) ‘Geology’, ‘astronomy’ and ‘data analysis and interpretation’ are dominant in content and inquiry process domain, respectively. Nearly every item has textbook context. (2) There is no difference between the preliminary and final tests in terms of their thinking skills sections. (3) As a whole, the ratio of items with pictures is high in item representation. However, multiple-choice and short answer items are more common in preliminary competition, and essay type items are found more often in final competition. The ratio of simple items is high in middle school section and preliminary competition, but composite items are dominant in high school section and final competition. The findings of item analysis are as follows: (1) In the middle school section, P is low and DI is moderate. But in the high school section, there is a considerable differences between science high schools and other high schools in general. (2) The highest correlation is reported between the scores of meteorology domain and total score in middle school, whereas in high school astronomy domain and total score show the highest correlation. (3) General high school section show the highest Cronbach $\alpha$ and generalizability. (4) General high school section show acceptable generalizability coefficient (> 0.80), but middle and science high school section should increase the number of items to reach acceptable generalizability level.