In only one week, the GalileoMobile project inspired 680 students, trained 9 teachers and got involved 80 people in observations and cine-clubs, amounting to a total of 769 people reached with astronomy-related activities in remote regions in the Amazon. A team of four astronomers, educators and anthropologists shared their passions and expertise and brought educational materials to the Amazon with the help of a fundraising campaign.
During the first phase in early 2015, the Constellation project made contact with teachers and students from a public school in Cacoal in the Amazon, as well as several indigenous Suruí schools. Using email and teleconferencing, the astronomers and educators promoted and tutored astronomy-related activities, thereby creating a network of educators and astronomers.
Phase two aimed for the astronomers and educators to visit local communities in the Amazon and meet the teachers and students in person. “We wanted to bring the team to the field to meet the students in person and perform activities with them, promote workshops to the teachers and organise star parties with the local communities.”
With funds provided by a successful fundraiser campaign, the Constellation project brought didactic materials and resources with them and donated these to the schools and teachers. While visiting the villages, the Constellation project organised and performed workshops, star parties, and other educational activities related to astronomy.
Children observing the Sun at the Suruí community.
During the time in the villages, the team gained the confidence of the eldest of the Paiter people, whom shared their knowledge about the Sun, the Moon and some relevant stars. “We spent hours listening! It was very beautiful and intense!", said collaborator Ana Paula Germano.
Thanks to the work of the GalileoMobile Constellation Project, the community of Cacoal is now part of a network of schools where teachers and students can share their passion for our skies with peers from all across South America. Their trainings will support independently organised astronomical outreach activities for many more years.
The GalileoMobile project shares astronomy across the world in spirit of inclusion, sustainability, and cultural exchange, to create a feeling of unity under the same sky. Since 2008, GalileoMobile has organized astronomy activities with over 17,000 students, teachers, and the general public all over the world.
Links
http://www.galileo-mobile.org/
https://www.fiatphysica.com/campaigns/constellation-follow-up-activities-in-the-amazonia
http://www.unawe.org/updates/unawe-update-1550/
http://www.unawe.org/updates/unawe-update-1511/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/galileomobile.org/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154156708467683
https://www.instagram.com/p/BNFPbUnBzoF/
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