EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM ON SPACE SCIENCE AND ASTRONOMY IN SRI LANKA
AND
THE 1STWATER BOOSTS ROCKET COMPETITION IN
SRI LANKA
By
INDIKA MEDAGANGODA
RESEARCH SCIENTIST-ARTHUR C. CLARKE INSTITUTE SRI LANKA
INDIKA MEDAGANGODA
RESEARCH SCIENTIST-ARTHUR C. CLARKE INSTITUTE SRI LANKA
History
•The Arthur C. Clarke Institute For Modern Technology (ACCIMT) was bestowed 45cm cassegraintelescope by the Japanese Government in 1996.
•The Institute launched an astronomy and space science awareness program in 1998 aiming the school children in the country. This program officially known as “Astronomy promotional and popularization program”
Activities of astronomy promotional and popularization program
•Setup astronomy associations within the schools. There are more than 300 school astronomy associations in Island wide.•Disseminating various information and materials in relating to the space science and astronomy, such as star-charts, almanacs etc.
Completed research projects.
1. Spectrometric Study of Stellar Objects –University of Colombo
2. Spectrometric Study of Stellar objects with special attention togalaxies
and nebulae -University of Colombo
3. Construct the hertzsprung-russeldiagram using the photometric
observation on the Pleiades open cluster –University of Sabaragamuwa
4. Study of characteristics of stars using photometry–University of Colombo
Public Events
•With the purpose of popularizing astronomy among the general public,
the ACCIMT organizes the astronomically important public events.
•Mercury Transit in 2003
•Mars closest approach in 2003
•Venus Transit in 2004
•Eclipses etc.
Activities Since November 2004
APRSAF•The Space Applications Division of ACCIMT successfully completed 4th and 5th Workshop on Introduction to practical astronomy in December 2004 and June 2005 respectively.
There were 69 students participated for these workshops.
•We have conducted 9 night sky observation camps for both teachers and students since last November
•The Arthur C. Clarke Institute For Modern Technology (ACCIMT) was bestowed 45cm cassegraintelescope by the Japanese Government in 1996.
•The Institute launched an astronomy and space science awareness program in 1998 aiming the school children in the country. This program officially known as “Astronomy promotional and popularization program”
Activities of astronomy promotional and popularization program
•Setup astronomy associations within the schools. There are more than 300 school astronomy associations in Island wide.•Disseminating various information and materials in relating to the space science and astronomy, such as star-charts, almanacs etc.
•ACCIMT conducts night sky observation programs.Lectures, Mapping of celestial objects and observations etc. are few activities included in such a camp..
•Department of Education in Sri Lanka decided to include astronomy and space science as a part of school science syllabus.
•Conduct astronomy awareness and promotional programs for teachers.
•In order to extend and strengthen the astronomy and space science education in the country the ACCIMT has decided to commence two astronomy courses.
•Work shop on Introduction to practical astronomy
•Certificate Course on astronomy
ACCIMT involvements in University Education
•The ACCIMT has introduced research projects on astronomy for undergraduates in local Universities.
•Provide them necessary guidance, 45cm telescope facility and other instrument facilities.Completed research projects.
1. Spectrometric Study of Stellar Objects –University of Colombo
2. Spectrometric Study of Stellar objects with special attention togalaxies
and nebulae -University of Colombo
3. Construct the hertzsprung-russeldiagram using the photometric
observation on the Pleiades open cluster –University of Sabaragamuwa
4. Study of characteristics of stars using photometry–University of Colombo
Public Events
•With the purpose of popularizing astronomy among the general public,
the ACCIMT organizes the astronomically important public events.
•Mercury Transit in 2003
•Mars closest approach in 2003
•Venus Transit in 2004
•Eclipses etc.
Activities Since November 2004
APRSAF•The Space Applications Division of ACCIMT successfully completed 4th and 5th Workshop on Introduction to practical astronomy in December 2004 and June 2005 respectively.
•We have conducted 9 night sky observation camps for both teachers and students since last November
•The ACCMT has proposed two undergraduate research projects on astronomy for the University of Colombo For the year of 2005 .
1.H alpha observations on Be stars
2. Develop a software to analyze the solar activities.
•The ACCIMT established Amateur astronomyand Amateur rocketryassociations affiliate to the ACCIMT by providing the memberships for the students who follow the ACCIMT courses.
APRSAF
•After establishing the associations ACCIMT has organized 1.Displayed ESA released Hubble DVD celebrating 15th Anniversary of HST
2. A lecture on water boosts rockets. There students were taught basic principles of rockets, the techniques use to make water boosts rockets etc.
3. Water boosts rocket competition. In this competitionthe students were evaluated in both theoretically and practically. The students sat for a one hour question paper followed by practical competition. The best average marks was selected as the winner.
DrawbacksWe have encountered following drawbacks during the astronomy and space science awareness programs.3. Water boosts rocket competition. In this competitionthe students were evaluated in both theoretically and practically. The students sat for a one hour question paper followed by practical competition. The best average marks was selected as the winner.
•To uplift the more enthusiasm in the field of space science and astronomy we feel it would be better if we could have Space science & Astronomy Exploratorium and a mobile planetarium.
•The difficulties of reliable transportation arise when delivering telescopes and other instruments to the remote areas in the country.
•Lack of post graduate qualified staff.
Thank You
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