Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

EXPLORE, Expeditionary Program for Learning Opportunities in Analog Space Exploration, is a STEAM educational initiative that introduces students to the challenges and opportunities of future human missions to Mars. Coordinated by the Austrian Space Forum and in partnership with NUCLIO, COSPAR, the Lake Alqueva Observatory, and Ellinogermaniki Agogi, the project familiarizes students in Europe with hands-on physical toolkits and two analog astronaut missions. In addition, virtual toolkits allow schools and teachers worldwide to participate remotely, bringing analog mission concepts into classrooms and integrating interdisciplinary learning. These resources also help teachers understand the science behind each activity and prepare to guide students through analog astronaut mission tasks. This talk will highlight the experience of over 200 Iranian students from the Kargahe Setare Project, who joined the EXPLORE project virtually. We will explore how these virtual toolkits can be implemented globally, supporting STEAM education and inspiring curiosity about human space exploration. By combining hands-on and virtual approaches, the EXPLORE project encourages students to explore, learn, and engage with space science regardless of geographic boundaries. Its educational structure demonstrates that participation is accessible to diverse communities, making it a source of inspiration for the next generation of space explorers.

About Shahrzad Mirsoltani

Shahrzad Mirsoltani is an Iranian astronomy educator and director of the Kargahe Setare Project, which has brought astronomy education to young Iranians in over 50 countries. Educated at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and inspired by the Zaferanieh Educational Observatory, she has dedicated her career to making science accessible and meaningful. Through collaborations with NUCLIO and the Austrian Space Forum, she integrates interdisciplinary approaches into her work. Guided by the belief “Don’t teach astronomy, teach humanity through astronomy,” she inspires curiosity, compassion, and a love for discovery among young learners.