Our sister offices have recently made many exciting announcements! The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has announced the projects that will receive funding through their annual call for proposals while the IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (IAU OAE) has opened up their astrophotography contest. More information on all of these are listed below.
We’ve also included some community-produced projects and professional development opportunities. Our National Outreach Coordinator for Peru is holding a virtual after-school programme for students in the country while our partners for the Telescopes for All programme are raising funding for their 2021 programming. Teachers and students are invited to join a NASA-sponsored countdown about Mars. Amateur astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts are welcome to join an online lecture series and science outreach practitioners may gain new skills through two opportunities listed below.
As a reminder, if you have an opportunity, project or resource for astronomy outreach practitioners, let us know at public@oao.iau.org.
Wishing you good health and all the best in the new year! Izumi Hansen & Lina Canas, on behalf of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) Team
1) Results of the IAU OAD 2020 Call for Proposals Announced
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Development (IAU OAD) has announced the results of its 2020 call for proposals, with 21 projects selected to receive funding in 2021. These projects will address a variety of global challenges using astronomy-related innovations.
The IAU Office of Astronomy for Education (IAU OAE) has opened its astrophotography contest. Cash prizes will be awarded to winners and their submissions will be made available as Open Educational Resources for teachers and learners worldwide. Photos must be submitted by 15 April 2021.
3) NOC News: Online Astronomy Classes for Students in Peru
Our National Outreach Coordinator (NOC) for Peru, Victor Vera, welcomes students in 3rd-5th grades at Peruvian state secondary schools to apply for a series of after-school astronomy classes. These free virtual classes will admit a limited number of students and registration closes 29 January.
Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen (Stars Shine for Everyone, SSVI), the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach's (IAU OAO) partner in the Telescopes for All programme, is currently fundraising to cover administrative costs, like shipping, for their mission of distributing telescopes to underserved communities. Contact SSVI at info@armandpien.be to learn how you can contribute.
5) Mission to Mars Student Challenge
NASA JPL is hosting weekly student challenges leading up to the landing of the Perseverance rover on Mars in February. Teachers and parents can sign up with their students to access free education plans, activities, live events and fun ways to learn about the landing. Any student in the world is welcome to join.
6) AAVSO Launches Webinar Series for Amateur Astronomers
The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) is hosting a series of online webinars that are free and open to the public. While designed for amateur astronomers, anyone is welcome to join.
Thank you to Stella Kafka for sharing this news item with us.
7) FameLab Begins to Open 2021 Application
FameLab is a contest for STEM professionals to improve their communication skills and share their work in an international competition. Registration for the UK section has opened, with trainings beginning in early February. Other countries will begin opening their entries in the coming months.
8) Public Communication of Science and Technology Conference 2020+1
The Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Conference for science communication professionals and researchers to share their work and research will be held online from 25-27 May 2021. Registration ends 30 April 2021.
Japanese:http://bit.ly/2xlNyCR
Translations are thanks to Akihiko Tomita, through the Astronomy Translation Network.
You can subscribe to the Japanese newsletter through the Japanese Amateur Astronomers Association (http://www.jaaa-astro.jp/jaaa-ml.html) or the Japanese Society for Education and Popularization of Astronomy (http://www.tenkyo.net/).
If you are interested in translating the IAU Outreach Newsletter into your language, please email public@oao.iau.org.
11) Contributions to the IAU Outreach Newsletter—looking forward to hearing from you in 2021
Here at the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, we’re always looking for news about astronomical education and outreach events around the world. Please continue to share your stories with us in 2020! If you are organising 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 public@oao.iau.org.
You can send us your suggestions until the 4th (for issue #1) and the 17th (for issue #2) day of each month. We are looking forward to hearing from you.
