Project title: Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP), Nepal
Project leader: Mr. Sudeep Neupane
In Nepal, astronomy is included in the school syllabus and a very few related contents are included in the higher level education. Teachers in the schools are the general science graduates, usually not experts in astronomy. It indicates the need of a teacher training event for the educators. Teachers are also the easy way of reaching hundreds of young kids and in a way to the society. We plan to invest our effort in teachers and in astronomy educators. The Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP) has been organized in Nepal since 2010. Almost 60 teachers benefited this opportunity in the past.
In 2013, the training event will be two days of lectures, workshops and a night sky observation program. Speakers from universities or from the Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) will be invited. Participants are invited from different schools from different regions of the country. Some travel supports will be available for participants in need. Science communicators are also welcomed in the event.
We include the basic concepts of astronomy, hands-on activities, and a workshop on astronomy software in the event. An observation program will be organized at the end of the event day using 8” skywatcher telescope owned by Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO).
At the end of the event, all the participants are expected to have clear concepts on basic astronomy topics and knowledge of hands on activities which can be carried out in classrooms. We also expect the participants to start using basic astronomy software in their class rooms and their knowledge to popularize astronomy/science in their community.