Shaw-IAU Workshops by the OAE

The Mediterranean Regional SHAW-IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education (MASTED) was held in person from 16–20 October 2024 at Istanbul Kültür University, Istanbul, Türkiye. The workshop was organized by the NAEC Türkiye Team, the Turkish Astronomical Society and Istanbul Kültür University, in collaboration with the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (OAE) and the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education Center Italy (I-OAE). Generous funding was provided by the Shaw Prize Foundation, the IAU OAE Center Italy (I-OAE), and Istanbul Kültür University.

MASTED convened National Astronomy Education Coordinators (NAECs), science educators, teachers, and researchers in the field of astronomy education from the culturally diverse countries of the Mediterranean basin. The workshop received 60 applications from 30 countries, and priority was given to Mediterranean countries. Ultimately, 32 participants (25 international and 7 national) representing 16 countries, along with 11 members of the Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) and Local Organizing Committee (LOC), participated in the event. The workshop welcomed Rosa Doran (NUCLIO) as an invited speaker, who delivered the opening talk titled: "Enriching the NAEC Collaborative Efforts with Funding Opportunities."

This five-day workshop fostered meaningful connections among participants and NAECs in the Mediterranean region. Attendees shared their experiences in astronomy education, collaborated on designing new activities, discussed future proposals and opportunities, explored innovative teaching approaches, and engaged in various hands-on activities. The program featured 19 presentations, 5 participant-led activity workshops, discussions and 2 presentations and 4 workshops organized by the IAU OAE Center Italy on FRESCO and SABIR projects. These sessions focused on inquiry-based learning, game-based learning and playful learning activities in astronomy. Additionally, participants explored the rich history of Istanbul, a city renowned as a bridge between East and West.

From 13–16 October 2024, immediately preceding MASTED, the FRESCO Project Residency Meeting, organized by the IAU OAE Center Italy, was held at the same venue. The FRESCO project, led by the IAU OAE Center Italy (I-OAE), is an international initiative aimed at co-designing educational resources for children up to 12 years of age using game-based and playful learning methodologies. The residency brought together 13 astronomy education experts from 8 countries in a four-day event organized as a joint initiative with the MASTED workshop.

Both events collectively enhanced regional collaboration and innovation in astronomy education.

For more information please contact the organizer at a.teker​atiku.edu.tr

You can also view the flyer for this workshop.