2023 Archives - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development

Decolonising School Education in Brazil Through Astronomy

Ram Venugopal — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 13:59:20 +0000

Although the majority of Brazil’s population is made up of black and female, there is still an under-representation of women, black, LGBTQIA+ and indigenous in science, especially in physics and astronomy. In collaboration with pedagogues and cultural agents of our universities (UFRGS and UFRJ), the Casa da Tia Ciata (Cultural Center) and public schools, the [...]

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Fancy a Game of Cosmic Checkers? Astro Boardgames Spark Interest in Science in Guatemala

Ram Venugopal — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 12:33:03 +0000

The project Inclusive Astronomy in Guatemala carried out several activities aimed at promoting science through astronomy. It focused on workshops, particularly for children, using interactive and enjoyable activities to transmit scientific knowledge. These workshops were held in various regions of Guatemala, especially in low-income rural towns with significant first-nation populations. The project also included the [...]

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Better Grades, Higher Enrolment, Changed Attitudes to STEM: EMEJA’s Impact in Rural Kenya

Ram Venugopal — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:47:23 +0000

The EMEJA project aims to address the issue of high school dropout rates among girls in rural Kenya and Uganda via Astronomy outreach, mentorship, & targeted STEM workshops and scholarships opportunities, to be guided & supported by long-term student tracking & monitoring to ensure that schoolgirls in these regions complete secondary education: Mentorship and outreach: [...]

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Colombian Project Fosters Astrotourism Among Local Community

Ram Venugopal — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 11:32:06 +0000

This project aimed to leverage the rich natural, heritage, and cultural resources of Tatacoa to enhance science education and astrotourism. Located in southern Colombia, Tatacoa is renowned for its clear skies, minimal light pollution, and diverse landscapes, making it an ideal site for astronomical observations and scientific tourism. We adopted a multi-faceted approach to achieve [...]

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Space Cadets Club Inspires Student Interest in STEM

Ram Venugopal — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:48:27 +0000

The Space Cadets project organised three 11-week clubs for up to 15 local children (per club) in the 7-11 age group in Armagh, Northern Ireland. From 3:45pm-4:45pm every Tuesday, 1 hour sessions saw the cadets: accessing various buildings and sites across the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium grounds; watching 360-degree space shows; constructing models, equipment and [...]

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Astro Tourism Project in Malaysia Makes A Mark

Ram Venugopal — Sat, 08 Jun 2024 12:03:12 +0000

The objectives of this project were: (i) To expose tourist guides to knowledge in astronomy. (ii) To equip them with extra skills in entrepreneurship and astro-tour hospitality and service. (iii) To revamp the tourism sector in Peninsular Malaysia with a new niche in astronomy tourism. Activities The original plan was to conduct a 10-day physical [...]

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Targeting Girls in Rural Schools Through Astronomy

Ram Venugopal — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 13:12:35 +0000

The objectives were to increase the level of girl-child participation in astronomy and space science education, and in the long term, produce female scientists that will contribute positively to space science development and the economy of Africa. Activities a). Solar system Modelling: This activity was executed at CBSS observatory complex on 7th of June 2023. [...]

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LightSound Devices Open Up Astronomy to BVI Audiences

Ram Venugopal — Wed, 15 May 2024 08:51:49 +0000

The LightSound Project had a goal of building and donating LightSound solar eclipse sonification devices to audiences along the October 2023 annular and the 2024 total solar eclipse path (USA, Mexico, Canada). LightSound is a device that uses a light sensor to measure the brightness of light and the device then converts it to sound [...]

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Value Re-orientation Among Inmates Through Astronomy

Ram Venugopal — Fri, 10 May 2024 13:56:10 +0000

The Astro-prison Consolidation is an astronomy-based programme which was sponsored by the International Astronomical Union-Office of Astronomy for Development in partnership with the Centre for Basic Space Science, Nsukka Nigeria, the Carmelite Prisoner’s Interest Organization (CAPIO), Enugu Nigeria and Servants of the Poor (SP), Nigeria. The project which took place in three Medium Correctional Centres [...]

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Practical Space Project Engages Students in Ghana

Ram Venugopal — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 13:09:52 +0000

The CanSat Ghana initiative, sponsored by the OAD, aimed to promote astronomy awareness in Ghana through practical engagement with electronics and satellite design. This educational competition empowered high school students aged 14 to 18 to learn how to construct CanSats (satellites in a can) and compete to demonstrate their skills. The project involved 107 students, [...]

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