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 development of four board games designed for different age groups:
- A dice game featuring galactic astronomy.
- Two memory games (one focused on astronomy and the other on general science).
- A cosmic checkers game.
- A cosmic quiz.
In addition, visual material was created, including videos on black hole science produced in Spanish and K’iche’, a first-nation language in Guatemala. The project also generated a book related to COVID-19, which is currently being translated into Q’eqchi’, another first-nation language.
Activities
Workshops
1. Lanquin, Alta Verapaz. School “Profesor Pedro Col”. March 10th, 2023. 4 hours activity. Attended ~100 students + 10 teachers.
2. Lemoa, Quiché. Public School. July 16, 2023. 4 hours activity. Attended ~50 students + 10 teachers.
3. Totonicapán. Public institute “Instituto básico por cooperativa Chipachec”. March 24, 2024.
4. hours of activity. Attended ~50 students + 5 teachers. 4. Quetzaltenango. Public institutes “Institutos de Educación Diversificada, INED, La Esperanza y San Mateo”, February 28, 2024. 4 hours of activity each. Attended ~100 students + 20 teachers.
5. Sololá. Public school “Tzalá”. April 24, 2024. 4 hours of activity. Attended ~100 students + 10 teachers.
6. Guatemala City. Public school “Escuela Fé y Alegría No. 9”. 4hours of activity. Attended ~100 estudents + 10 teachers 7. El Estor, Izabal. Public schools of El Estor. 4 hours of activity. Attended ~ 100 students + 10 teachers.
Board games
1. Travel to the center of galaxies. Children 8+ years. 50 games printed.
2. Astronomical Memory. Children 9+ years. January 2024. 50 games printed
3. Cosmic checkers. Children 10+ years
4. Cosmoquiz. Children 12+years.
Book:
Short tale for kids “La increíble historia de una niña, un murciélago, un pangolín y el virus que cambió el mundo en tres meses” (The incredible history of a girl, a bat, a pangolin and the virus that changed the world in 3 months), 100 printed
Outcomes
1. Interest in science education: Follow up activities were requested by teachers in schools
2. Interest in science among children: Children were made aware of the existence of scientific careers.
3. Relevance of first nation persons in science: Participation of first nation persons in workshops and the collaboration for creating the video in their language.
4. Visibility of participation of women in science: Girls could interact with women dedicated to science. This is of particular relevance in rural areas of the country.