COVID-19 Archives - IAU Office of Astronomy for Development

‘DIY Universe’ Virtual Summer Program Enriches Learning During the Pandemic

Ram Venugopal — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 14:47:56 +0000

Families rely on summer programs to provide enriching experiences, a supportive community, and to address gaps in learning. Due to social distancing constraints during the summer of 2020, youth faced months of unfocused, unstructured time during which it was expected that learning gaps would expand between those whose families were able to provide alternative enriching [...]

The post ‘DIY Universe’ Virtual Summer Program Enriches Learning During the Pandemic appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

STEM Learning Through Astronomy During A Pandemic

Ram Venugopal — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 09:22:49 +0000

The “Inspiring STEM learning through astronomy” project has developed materials to inspire, encourage and educate students in rural areas of Chile, whose studies have been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The “pandemic learning support” booklet contains four activities for children to discover and connect with astronomy in a didactic and entertaining way, covering content [...]

The post STEM Learning Through Astronomy During A Pandemic appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

Astronomy Outreach Program Helps Native American Students

Ram Venugopal — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 14:48:47 +0000

The goal of the Native American Astronomy Outreach Program (NAAOP) is to help teachers to get their students excited about STEM and STEM careers. One component of the program is Book Club, used to increase student interest in STEM, but also student literacy. Native students generally read below grade level, and yet reading is a [...]

The post Astronomy Outreach Program Helps Native American Students appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

Astrologos – stories and commentary (Italian)

Ram Venugopal — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 10:25:28 +0000

The Astrologos project has recorded five short stories by world-renowned writer Italo Calvino, inspired by aspects of nature and the Universe, interpreted by Claudio Casadio and accompanied by original music, illustrations and commentary by astronomers. The combination of Calvino’s wisdom and sobering irony, the relativity of the various astronomical subjects, the professional voice acting [...]

The post Astrologos – stories and commentary (Italian) appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

OAD Grant Enables Resumption of Academic Activities at Burkina University

Ram Venugopal — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 15:29:05 +0000

The Protect Our Stars project supported a Burkina Faso university in setting up the necessary conditions for the resumption of academic activities while protecting students and staff. The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the health system, the economy and especially the educational sector in countries like Burkina Faso. In order to support the university in the [...]

The post OAD Grant Enables Resumption of Academic Activities at Burkina University appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

Astronomy Data Analysis Virtual Lectures

Ram Venugopal — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:32:01 +0000

‘Astronomy from archival data’ introduced important concepts in astronomy, data analysis and methods to students through online sessions from 1 August-29 November 2020. The aim was to support students during a time of disruptions to education caused by COVID-19. Students were introduced to virtual observatory tools and programming techniques. From 927 registrations, more than 100 [...]

The post Astronomy Data Analysis Virtual Lectures appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

“Under the Same Stars” Online Campaign to Relieve Mental Stress

Ram Venugopal — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 14:28:34 +0000

“Under the Same Stars” by Astronomers Without Borders (AWB) developed and launched a social media campaign to bring awareness that stargazing can uniquely aid in relieving some mental stress during a time of crisis. Their campaign effectively spread the specific messaging that we can all come together virtually and feel like a cohesive community regardless [...]

The post “Under the Same Stars” Online Campaign to Relieve Mental Stress appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

Astronomy Observatory Staff Assist Community During the Pandemic

Ram Venugopal — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 13:46:43 +0000

The Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory (GRAO) staff assisted their surrounding community by providing masks, soaps, sanitisers, and sensitising them about COVID-19 and how to protect themselves. PRAGSAC in collaboration with the Ghana Space Science Technology Institute (GSSTI), the Assembly woman of Kutunse electoral area and the Director of the NCCE for GA West/Amasaman engaged seven [...]

The post Astronomy Observatory Staff Assist Community During the Pandemic appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

Astronomy Themed Scientific Box Helps Mongolian Students

Ram Venugopal — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 12:55:04 +0000

An astronomy-themed “Scientific box” was developed and distributed to school students and teachers in remote areas of Mongolia. The box, developed by university students and amateur astronomers, included handouts, video talks, presentations and lessons, which served as STEM education tools for the classroom. School teachers helped to distribute the scientific box to students and families [...]

The post Astronomy Themed Scientific Box Helps Mongolian Students appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.

Astronomy Citizen Science Engages Students During COVID-19

Ram Venugopal — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 10:54:39 +0000

An astronomy citizen science project trained students to classify images as part of a SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) program. The aim was to address students’ lack of academic engagement during school and university closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of the citizen science project is the search for extraterrestrial intelligence [...]

The post Astronomy Citizen Science Engages Students During COVID-19 appeared first on IAU Office of Astronomy for Development.