Khagol Bulletin # 135 (Jan 2025) - ENG

| 13 | KHAG L | No. 135 - JANUARY 2025 Before organising the Teacher Training Program, the OAE Center India conducted a nationwide astronomy education survey in collaboration with ARIES in Uttarakhand. A common feedback received from the teachers was regarding the lack of suitable astronomy education resources in India, which posed a challenge for the students to visualise the concepts taught in the class, hampering the ability of the teachers to impart astronomy education successfully. The workshop aimed to bridge this gap by demonstrating how the available astronomy resources can enable teachers to successfully undergo training to achieve astronomy education in the classroom. Astronomy and space connect easily to Briefbackgroundtotheprogram: A unique Teacher Training Program titled 'Empowering Teachers to Foster Scientific Curiosity in Students' was jointly organised by STEM & Space, New Delhi, Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, with the support from the Office of Astronomy Education (OAE), India on November 25-27, 2024. The program was designed for primary and middle school science teachers in North India. The program aimed to equip the participants with the knowledge and methodologies needed to effectively introduce astronomy education in their classrooms. The participants engaged in lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on activities over three days and gained valuable insight into the subject and practical experience with the tools to make astronomy more accessible and engaging for their students. STEM subjects like physics, geography, engineering, and math, making them engaging and relevant for students. Their interdisciplinary nature helps deepen understanding and sparks curiosity in the classroom. The project aims to train and s u p p o r t a s t r o n om y e d u c a t o r s , empowering them to inspire the next generation toward a career in space. By expanding the network of educators, it is possible to nurture future explorers and scientists while making space education accessible to all, regardless of location or background. ARIES is one of the premier astronomy research institutes in India and is located in a small mountainous state, Uttarakhand, in northern India. Uttarakhand and nearby regions have many urban, semi-urban and rural schools, which do not have easy access to educational resources like affluent schools in urban regions. The Devasthal Observatory of ARIES hosts two of India's largest optical telescopes. Conducting the workshop at ARIES Twenty participants representing the North Zone of India were selected for the program. The participants were an equal mix of primary and middle-grade teachers who, over three days, engaged in a comprehensive introduction to astronomy education, briefly described below: The participants were exposed to lectures and demonstrations by experts from the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education - T I FR , wh o c o n d u c t e d l e c t u r e demonstrations on foundational topics such as eclipses and the phases of the Moon. The sessions clarified core concepts, empowering teachers to better communicate these ideas to students. provided a unique opportunity for the participants to visit world-class telescopes and interact with scientists working in diverse fields of astronomy. LecturesandDemonstrations: STEM & Space presented Spacetopia, an astronomy education portal offering grade-specific lessons, engaging videos, and hands-on activities. Designed for minimal teacher preparation, this resource streamlines the integration of astronomy into classrooms. Experts demonstrated the portal's use through interactive sessions covering various topics in primary and middle grades. Teachers engaged in hands-on activities, finding them effective for keeping students actively involved. Demonstrating a giant Moonmap added an engaging element, helping teachers understand the lunar features. Spacetopia: A Ready-Made Teaching Resource: