Astronomy Learning Community: Fostering Research In High School Students
TalkSpecial topic: Astronomy Education Beyond the Classroom
5th Shaw-IAU Workshop
Wednesday Nov. 29, 2023
UTC: 5:55 p.m. - 6:05 p.m. America/New_York: 12:55 p.m.- 1:05 p.m.
Friday Dec. 1, 2023
UTC: 10:25 a.m. - 10:35 a.m. America/New_York: 5:25 a.m.- 5:35 a.m.
Elizabeth Villanueva (Global Hands-On Universe)
Introducing GWAM Astronomy Learning Community, uniting Chilean teachers and students. The goal is astronomy advancement via modeling and photometry. Weekly sessions explore key concepts, using modeling for research skills. The community fosters knowledge exchange, teamwork, and skill development. Results show enhanced engagement, interest, and understanding. GWAM empowers high schoolers for autonomous astronomical research, bolstering Chilean education and nurturing future astronomers.
About Elizabeth Villanueva
Elizabeth Villanueva Vásquez, a Physics and Mathematics educator with a master's in Didactics of Experimental Sciences, is a key contributor to the Galileo Teachers Training Program since 2010. As an instructor since 2014, she's empowered over 100 educators in using SalsaJ software for astronomical image analysis. In 2019, she co-developed the educational kit "An Eclipse in Your Hands" with Bioquimica.cl and Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Currently, she coordinates Gee-Whiz Astronomy Modeling, guiding high school students in astronomical research alongside educators and astronomers. Supported by G-HOU and Las Cumbres Observatory, this initiative maximizes impact.
