In this issue, we highlight the “Let’s look at the Sun with Hinode Satellite” observation sessions, the Space Awareness competition celebrating excellence in science teaching and the SpaceUp initiatives with the latest news on the London chapter.
The IAU and Leiden Observatory are looking for an International Project Coordinator for the IAU centennial; the candidate will coordinate the central hub of the IAU activities for the 100 Years Celebrations. Don’t miss this chance. Apply by July 30.
In our latest news, we’d like to announce the launch of a new program, the “Astronomy Translation Network” and invite all members of the community to join us in this new adventure! This is a chance for collaborators to suggest materials and see them translated into different languages, access a pool of trustworthy recommended resources (in the most various topics such as dark skies awareness, inclusion, hands-on activities, low-cost, etc.), translate them into different languages and see your translation skills recognised.
Happy reading and clear skies!
The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach team
1) International Project Coordinator IAU 100 Years
The Faculty of Science, Leiden Observatory and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) are looking for an International Project Coordinator IAU 100 Years. The Leiden Observatory and the IAU seek an International Project Coordinator to lead the implementation of the International Astronomical Union's centennial globally. The candidate will coordinate the central hub of the IAU activities for the 100 Years Celebrations. The main tasks will be coordinating activities during the planning, execution and evaluation of the 100 Years Celebrations. Please submit your application no later than 30 July 2017.
The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO), in a joint venture with the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) is currently implementing the “Astronomy Translation Network” project, a platform for astronomy education and outreach to share resources in different languages and connecting translation efforts based on a global network of volunteers. The main goal of the platform is to identify worthy resources for translation and matching its translation needs with volunteer translators.
3) National Outreach Contact Corner: News from Colombia
a) 5th Colombian Congress of Astronomy and Astrophysics (COCOA 2017)
The Astroengineering Research Group Alfa Orion, the Planetarium, the Astronomical Observatory and the Faculty of Basic Sciences of the Technological University of Pereira are pleased to invite the Spanish-speaking community to the 5th Colombian Congress of Astronomy and Astrophysics. The Congress will be held in the University facilities, from 24 to 27 of October of 2017. Using astronomy for society as a driving force for the development of the country, COCOA 2017 will also be encouraging and accepting works associated with teaching, communication and the history of astronomy.
4) Celebrating Excellent Space Science Teaching Competition
Throughout Europe (and beyond!) enthusiastic teachers, parents, and educators are finding ways to creatively use the Space Awareness resources in inspiring young people with space science. The team wants to celebrate the benefits that the hard work of its community of educators has achieved, and share their successes. There are two main prize categories: (1) Inspiring young people from diverse backgrounds with space science, and (2) supporting young people to become aware of space-related careers. The competition closes on 14 October 2017.
5) Let's Look at the Sun with Hinode Satellite 2017
Since its launch back in 2006, the solar observation satellite Hinode programme has always promoted the idea that its observational data can be used not only for research but also for education. Since 2010, a programme proposed and run by Japanese astronomy educators, called “Let's Look at the Sun with the Hinode Satellite”, has linked teachers and high school students together in a unique opportunity to observe the Sun. This year, from July 31 to August 5 (2:00-6:00UT) and from 7 to 12 of August (2:00-6:00UT), teachers and students from around the world can also join the project. If you’re interested in joining this observation programme, please contact kentaro.yaji [at] nao.ac.jp.
The Vanishing Sun is a free Eclipse storytelling web resource designed for children and young people (4 to 14 years) in formal and informal educational settings. It enables educators and students to learn more about the science behind an eclipse and highlights the benefits of using sky-lore storytelling as a catalyst for science exploration. It was produced by UK Storyteller, Cassandra Wye, and US Storyteller, Fran Stallings, for the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI).
On Saturday 10th June, The Planetary Society brought together space enthusiasts at Queen Mary University of London for “SpaceUp London 2017”—the first large-scale event organised by Planetary Society volunteers in Europe. Because this was an ‘unconference’, the participants largely decided the discussion topics on the day of the event. The day was packed with quick-fire 5-minute talks, breakout discussion sessions, keynote talks, brainstorming sessions, and other opportunities for guests to challenge each other. SpaceUp events can be organised by anyone, anywhere. Check out the website to find your nearest event and advice to get one started yourself!
8) Science in the City
From 7 until 15 July 2018, Toulouse, France, will live in sync with science at European and International level. Parallel to the EuroScience Open Forum, the Science in the City Festival will invest the city and its surroundings. As a free event, Science in the City Festival intends to reach people of all ages who are curious about science and innovation. For associations, museums, festivals, researchers, lecturers, students, and artists interested in being a part of the Science in the City programme, please send your proposals through this online form. Deadline: 30th September 2017
ITCA Colloquium - Astronomy for STEM Education Deadline for application: 10 July 2017
Dates: 7 to 11 August 2017,
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. More Information: http://www.narit.or.th/en/index.php/itca
Upcoming
a) StixCamp - Open Education and Open Science through Citizen Science
Date: 6 - 9 July, 2017
Location: Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo
More Information: http://www.open.org.pt/
c) ITCA Colloquium - Astronomy for STEM Education
Dates: 7 to 11 August 2017
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. More Information: http://www.narit.or.th/en/index.php/itca
d) Global Hands-On Universe (GHOU) Conference 2017 with the Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP) International Workshop 2017
Dates: 15-21 August 2017
Location: Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky, US
More Information: http://handsonuniverse.org/ghou2017/
e) Euro-Mediterranean and Middle East (EMME) Summer School for Science Communication
Date: 10-15 September 2017
Location: Naples, Italy
More information: http://www.cittadellascienza.it/emme2017/
f) European Planetary Science Congress 2017
Date: 17–22 September 2017
Location: Radisson Blu Hotel Latvija, Riga, Latvia
More Information: http://www.epsc2017.eu/
g) 3rd COSPAR Symposium
Date: 18–22 September 2017
Location: Jeju Island, South Korea,
More information: https://cosparhq.cnes.fr/
n) 15th International Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference (PCST2018)
Date: 4–6 April 2018
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
More Information: http://www.pcst2018.org/pcst18
If you are interested in translating our newsletter to your language, please let us know via outreach@iau.org.
11) Contributions to this newsletter - looking forward to hearing from you in 2017!
Here at the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, we are always looking for more news about astronomical education and outreach events around the world. Please continue to share your stories with us in 2017! If you are organising any large-scale events at a regional or international level, offering astronomy education or communication job positions, have any innovative projects or inspiring stories, looking for professional–amateur collaboration in astronomy, or have created any educational resources, let us know by sending an email to outreach@iau.org.
