The project aims to develop an ‘earn & learn’ opportunity for economically backward tribal students who will be trained as astronomy guides. This will be achieved through an appropriate online course & a unique networking platform.
Key target groups
– Guides (Primary)- 9th to 12th Std tribal students of Eklavya Model Residential Schools run by Tribal Ministry completing the online Guide Training module.
– Organisers (Secondary)- Entities organising star gazing events across the globe (like Schools, Resorts, Touring companies etc.)
– Mentors (Secondary)- Subject experts willing to mentor the guides across the globe.
By consulting with the EMRS teachers and assessing the aptitude and interest of the tribal students, 30 of them are to be selected based on their compatibility with the required skills for the project.
These 30 students would undergo an online module for Level 1 (knowledge + communication) & select (based on a Before-After test) 15 will undergo Level 2 (skill + communication) training. Live online sessions to be conducted if the pandemic scenario does not allow contact sessions for level 2. The remaining 15 students would be accommodated in other Astro programs of our organisation. The training would be conducted during the leisure time of the students not disturbing the academic schedule. Simultaneously but independently an online networking platform would be developed to onboard 15 trained tribal Astronomy Guides, their mentors & the organisers with the help of IAU OAD. As the EMRS already has developed an eLearning system with Internet access, the networking platform will allow the guides to connect with the mentors to further ask their doubts & stay in touch with fellow guides. The organisers will be able to connect with the guides & to invite them to organise the stargazing programmes through the platform. Eventually, this project can be expanded worldwide to add more guides.
Contact:
Shweta Kulkarni support@astronera.org