Naming An Asteroid To Learn Beyond Astronomy: A Replicable Proposal From Classroom To Community
TalkAstronomy Education in Schools in Practice (Secondary Schools)
7th Shaw-IAU Workshop
Tuesday Nov. 18, 2025
UTC: 5:30 p.m. - 5:40 p.m. America/New_York: 12:30 p.m.- 12:40 p.m.
Friday Nov. 21, 2025
UTC: 12:30 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. America/New_York: 7:30 a.m.- 7:40 a.m.
Daniel Fernández González (National Administration of Public Education (DGES-ANEP) & Los Molinos Astronomical Observatory (Ministry of Education and Culture))
This proposal presents an educational innovation in astronomy secondary education, based on the process of naming an asteroid through the IAU. The initiative originated at a public high school in Montevideo, Uruguay, where students themselves conceived, planned, and executed the entire process, resulting in the successful naming of asteroid (20054) Lágrimaríos, in honor of the renowned Afro-Uruguayan singer and activist. Through project-based learning, students combined astronomical content with technological tools, argumentative writing, and collaborative work. The experience (adaptable and replicable) integrated science and culture, fostering meaningful connections between students and their institutional and social communities.
About Daniel Fernández González
Daniel Fernández González is a high school astronomy teacher at National Administration of Public Education (DGES-ANEP) and works at Los Molinos Astronomical Observatory (Ministry of Education and Culture). He holds his teaching degree from the Education Training Council (CFE-ANEP) in Montevideo, Uruguay. His main interests include astronomy education, didactic innovation, and cultural astronomy. He is a member of the organizing committee of the Uruguayan Astronomy Olympiad and contributes to the development and advising of secondary school observatories and space sciences laboratories.
