Astronautics and space tourism phenomenom

Diplomsko delo z naslovom Astronavtika in pojav vesoljskega turizma obravnava problematiko astronavtike in vesoljskega turizma ter poznavanje tega področja pri učencih tretjega, petega in osmega razreda osnovne šole. Tema deluje na učence motivacijsko, hkrati pa omogoča, da si učenci ustvarijo boljšo predstavo o razdaljah med objekti v vesolju. V teoretičnem delu naloge predstavimo splošne razmere in možnosti za potovanje v vesolje. Izpostavimo ovire, s katerimi se srečujemo pri potovanju po vesolju, omenimo prva živa bitja, ki so potovala v vesolje, in predstavimo ključne mejnike pri razvoju astronavtike. Posebej izpostavimo vesoljski turizem in razvoj vesoljskih agencij, ki bodo v prihodnje ponujale turistom polete v vesolje. Za boljšo predstavo o razdaljah med objekti v vesolju izdelamo različne primerjave razdalj med objekti v našem osončju. Ob koncu teoretičnega dela naloge predstavimo še didaktične pristope poučevanja astronomije ter vsebine iz učnih načrtov, ki se navezujejo na področje astronomije. Namen praktičnega dela je raziskati predstave učencev o možnostih potovanja po vesolju. Poseben poudarek dajemo predstavi o oddaljenosti objektov v osončju, pri čemer izpostavljamo objekte, ki bi bili primerni za morebiten pristanek človeka. Proučujemo tudi razmišljanja otrok o možnih poletih, ki bi bili dosegljivi širšemu krogu ljudi, ne zgolj astronavtom. Zanimajo nas razlike v predstavah med mlajšimi in starejšimi učenci, na podlagi katerih podajamo predloge za izboljšanje predstav glede potovanja po vesolju. Ugotavljamo, da učenci tretjih in petih razredov osnovne šole pridobijo nekaj splošnega znanja o potovanju v vesolje, ki pa se ne nanaša na predstave o razdaljah med objekti v vesolju. Učenci osmih razredov osnovne šole že poznajo določene razdalje do zvezd, vendar o premagovanju razdalj med planeti in o času, ki je potreben za premagovanje teh razdalj, ne pridobijo dovolj znanja. Na podlagi rezultatov podamo nekaj primerov in napotkov za izboljšanje predstav glede krajevnih in časovnih omejitev pri potovanju med objekti v vesolju.Diploma work entitled Astronautics presents the knowledge of astronautics and the phenomenon of space tourism, of primary school pupils in the third, the fifth and the eighth grade. The theme is highly motivating for the pupils and provides the link to knowledge of distances between the objects in the universe. In theoretical part of the diploma work we first present the conditions for journey into space. Then we show the obstacles that are encountered, when travelling through space, we mention the first living creatures sent into space, and we present key milestones in the progress of astronautics. We expose the phenomenon of space tourism, where the tourists in space have the key role, and the development of space agencies, that will offer flights into space to tourist in the future. For better perception of distances between objects in the universe, we make various comparisons of distances between objects in our solar system. At the end of theoretical part we present methods for teaching astronomy and the contents of curricula that are related to the field of astronomy. The aim of the empirical part is to test pupils\u27 perception of possibilities of travelling in space. We emphasize the perception of distance of objects in our solar system, particularly the ones that would have been suitable for a possible human lending. We also research the pupils\u27 thinking of possible flights into space that would be accessible for a wider popularity, not just the astronauts. We are interested in differences in perception of younger and older pupils. And according to those we provide suggestions for improving the perceptions regarding travelling across the universe. We find out that pupils in the third and the fifth grade gain some general knowledge of space travelling that does not relate to the distances between objects in the universe. Eight grade pupils already know some distances to the stars, but they do not get sufficient knowledge about overcoming the distances between the planets, and about the time that is needed for overcoming those distances. Based on results we name some examples and instructions for improving perceptions, regarding local and time limits in travelling between different objects in the universe