The Importance of Computation in Astronomy Education

TL;DR

This paper emphasizes the critical need for improved computational literacy in astronomy education, advocating for curriculum enhancements and increased resource support to equip students with essential skills for research and problem-solving.

Contribution

It highlights the importance of integrating computational skills into astronomy education and proposes advocacy and resource development strategies to achieve this.

Findings

Students lack sufficient computational skills upon entering programs

Advocacy can promote increased computational literacy in astronomy

Open Education Resources can significantly improve computational education

Abstract

Computational skills are required across all astronomy disciplines. Many students enter degree programs without sufficient skills to solve computational problems in their core classes or contribute immediately to research. We recommend advocacy for computational literacy, familiarity with fundamental software carpentry skills, and mastery of basic numerical methods by the completion of an undergraduate degree in Astronomy. We recommend the AAS Education Task Force advocate for a significant increase in computational literacy. We encourage the AAS to modestly fund efforts aimed at providing Open Education Resources (OER) that will significantly impact computational literacy in astronomy education.