Astronomical Concepts in Mind: A Psycholinguistic Perspective on Astronomy Learning and Teaching

This is a poster presented at the 7th Shaw-IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education, organised by the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE, https://astro4edu.org/shaw-iau/7th-shaw-iau-workshop/). Title: Astronomical Concepts in Mind: A Psycholinguistic Perspective on Astronomy Learning and Teaching Presenter:Saeed Jafari Languages possess unique features for representing scientific concepts, and these concepts are expressed and understood differently across various languages. Using a psycholinguistic approach, teachers and researchers can assess the interplay between mental representations and linguistic expression in both formal and informal educational settings. I will highlight the importance of metaphor, analogical reasoning, and linguistic precision in enhancing conceptual grasp. For instance, the use of metaphors like "stellar nurseries" to describe star formation and analogies such as comparing the solar system to a classroom model helps learners grasp complex ideas. These insights contribute to developing more effective educational practices, benefiting astronomy educators and learners alike. About the 7th Shaw-IAU Workshop:The 7th Shaw-IAU Workshop took place 18 - 21 November 2025. The Shaw-IAU workshops focus on astronomy education for primary and secondary school students and teacher training both in universities and in service. This year's Education focus session on Teaching with authentic data and the Science focus is on Galaxies.More details can be found on: https://astro4edu.org/shaw-iau/Keep up to date with future Shaw-IAU Workshops and other opportunities at the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education by joining our mailing list https://astro4edu.org/mailing-list/ Follow the IAU OAE on Bluesky and Facebook under @astro4edu