Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

Everyone should know how to approximate high school students to Science using sky observation
Abstract: This work is the result of a two-year project that aimed to introduce classic sky observation experiments into the regular high school curriculum. They connected areas such as Geography, Science, and Geometry and used low-cost material. Its main objective was to reconnect students with basic concepts of Astronomy and Science, showing that it is possible to locate yourself spatially, calculate the size of the Earth or even estimate the size of the Sun. Everything is achieved through just the observation of nature and basic geometric concepts. The students involved in it improved both their performance in the Math and Science classes and their vision about the scientific method.

Biography:

Ana Cecilia Soja is a professor at the Instituto Federal Fluminense. For the past eight years, she has coordinated knowledge Olympiads for high school students: the Brazilian Astronomy Olympiad (OBA), the Brazilian Amateur Rocket Show (MobFog) and the International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition (IAAC). Her research interests include the protection of dark and quiet skies and women in science.

Watch a video for this poster (external link)