SALWAN PUBLIC SCHOOL Sector 15, Gurugram February 17, 2018
ASTRONOMY DAY ASTRONOMY DAY is the culmination of SPACE Astronomy club, where club students get a platform to showcase their learning through various activities to the school management as well as their fellow students. While preparing for Astronomy day, students enhanced their life skills such as Management, Organization, Leadership, Scientific Temperament, Presentation, Decision Making and Logical Reasoning. The event was planned and executed by club students, with support and guidance from SPACE Educators and the school coordinator, thereby increasing their confidence and communication skills. On February 17, 2018, SPACE club Module 1 and 2 students of Salwan Public School, Sector 15 Gurugram celebrated ASTRONOMY DAY in their school. A plethora of astronomy related activities were organized by the students. The Astronomy day was inaugurated by the school principal Ms. Rashmi Malik with a HYDRO-ROCKET LAUNCH wherein the students first explained the parts of a rocket followed by the parameters that govern the flight of a rocket. The guests then launched a 2L hydro-rocket and the audience was enthralled to see the rocket fly high. Later, audience also got a chance to launch 600 ml hydro rocket during the Astronomy Day. Other than Hydro Rocketry, students also exhibited other Astronomy club activities which are as follows:
MODULE 1
MAKE YOUR OWN COMET In this activity, SPACE club students explained about Comets and also made some with readily available household materials. The audience learnt about the structure, parts, residing place and orbit of a comet. They learnt about various missions sent to comets and their outcomes. The audience learnt about the composition of an actual comet and experienced the comet making activity. Students made comets using everyday materials The students displayed their comets and explained the properties RING THE PLANET This fun activity made the participants know about the planets of our Solar System. The participants solved planet riddles and ringed the same planet. The activity helped the audience understand the correct definition of planets. The audience got to know various facts and features of planets. The participants aimed at different planets to win prizes The parents and guests also participated in the activity enthusiastically
TATTOO MAKING This activity was an amalgam of astronomy and science wherein the audience got astronomy theme based tattoos made/pasted. The aim of the activity was to create interest in astronomy and encourage the audience to explore and learn. This aim was also to get the audience intrigued so that they explore the astronomy related pictures that they get exposure to. The guests got Astronomy theme based tattoos made The tattoo making stall was a hit among the audience ZOOM IT TO FIND IT In this activity, audience recognized a word by looking at it through an arrangement of lenses put in the grooves of a tube. The audience learnt about the concept of magnification and the working of lenses. The participants were able to differentiate between working of microscope and the telescope. Audience understood the nature of telescopes Audience participated in Zoom it to find it activity
WEIGHT ON DIFFERENT PLANETS In this activity, different weighing scales, corresponding to some of the solar system planets, each calibrated according to the gravity on respective planets were put up for the audience to check their weight on. This activity made the audience understand the concept of gravity and that the force of gravity is different on different planets. The participants understood that mass and weight are two different entities which are often perceived to be the same. The audience got to know on which planet they'd weigh the heaviest and on which the lightest. Students weighed themselves on different planets SAFE SOLAR OBSERVATION Parents weighed themselves on different planets In this activity, the safe ways to observe the Sun were on display. The audience observed the Sun through Solar view goggles, pin-hole projector, ball projector and telescopic projection through an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope. In this activity, they learnt about features of our nearest star, the Sun. This activity aimed at making the audience aware about the unsafe observation methods that are prevalent. The audience observed the sun through The audience observed the Su n through solar view Dobsonian Telescope goggles
FUN WITH DSLR CAMERA In this activity, the students explained the working of DSLR camera and its use in astrophotography for long exposures. The audience got an overall knowledge about use of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Spectators also learnt about low light photography and Basic requirements for astrophotography. They were also introduced to a photography technique called Light Painting. The audience got first-hand experience on light painting The audience learnt about handling of DSLR camera MASS OF THE PLANETS The audience learnt about mass and volume of each planet in comparison to the Earth and hence arranged them in order of their masses. The audience realized that the planets vary in size but the difference in mass does not necessarily correspond to the difference in sizes. The audience got to know the order of masses of the planets. Audience arranged the planets according to their masses Audience participated in Mass of the planet activity
DIRECTION DURING DAY TIME This is an amazing activity in which club students demonstrated the method of calculating the circumference of Earth using a 2300 year old experiment, done originally by the Astronomer Eratosthenes. The concept of geographical directions was explained to the audience. The students also explained how shortest shadow method can help find the cardinal directions. The club student explained shortest shadow experiment to the audience The participants learnt about project paridhi. LUNAR CRATER MAKING Crater making activity made the audience visualize the formation of craters on the Lunar surface; and about different features visible on the moon. The audience aimed marbles to the Apollo landing sites set as targets on the moon surface, thus making craters on the surface. The participants hence visualized and understood how impact craters are formed on the moon surface. Audience learned about the features of the Moon Audience understood the reason behind the formation of craters
INTRODUCTION TO TOOL-BOX OF AN ASTRONOMER In this activity, the audience got to know about the different tools which every SPACE young astronomer has used during the Astronomy sessions. The purpose and working of all the material of the Astronomer s tools kit was explained to the audience. The audience got familiar with some common tools which every astronomer uses. Space club student explained the importance of various Astronomer s tools to the audience. Space club student explained various astronomer s tools to the audience. HYDRO-ROCKETRY In this activity, the students explained the various parts of rocket and science behind their launch while setting up the rocket for the audience and making them launch it. The audience got an overall knowledge about space and rockets. Spectators also learnt about the Newton s law of motion and its application in rocketry. They were also introduced to center of mass and center of pressure. They also learnt about the launcher and its parts. Audience enjoyed 2L Hydro-rocket launch during Astronomy day The audience enjoyed rocket launch during Astronomy day
UNIVERSE IN 3D In this activity the audience were given a chance to see 3D images of various celestial bodies using 3D view goggles. Through this activity, the students explained the dimensions introducing comparison between 2D and 3D. The audience understand the concept of 3D imaging in this activity. The audience, with this activity, realize the difference between 2D and 3D images The audience observed 3D images through specially designed 3D glasses The audience were amazed to see the universe in 3D
MODULE 2
JANTAR MANTAR Astronomy club students explained the Jantar Mantar as an astronomical observatory, and explained the working of all the Yantras present in the Jantar Mantar of Delhi. Students measured the local time using Samrat Yantra along with altitude and azimuth of Sun using Ram Yantra and hence explained their working to the audience. The audience was told about the importance of this ancient monument from Astronomical point of view. The club members explained the Jantar Mantar Model Audience learnt the working of various yantras at Jantar Mantar SPECTROSCOPY The club students explained the concept behind spectroscopy and showcased the spectra of various light sources. Participants also learned about spectroscope and used to view the spectrum of different sources. The activity helped the audience understand the term spectrum and that each light source has a unique spectrum. It also made them understand that spectroscopy is necessary to find the elements of stars / nebula/ galaxies. Audience observed the spectrum of the Sun Audience observed the spectrum of various light through spectroscope sources through diffraction grating
TIME AND SUNDIAL This was an amazing activity in which club students explained to track time using ancient tools such as Sundials. This activity was conducted to realize the difference between local time and the Indian Standard Time. The audience learnt about different types of sundials and methods of time-keeping. The club students explained the working of vertical sundial The club students explained the working of various sundials to the audience PHOTO EXHIBITION The club students put up an exhibition of the photographs clicked during the sessions and hence showcased through pictures their learning in the Astronomy Club. Students put on display the photographs of their Astronomy Club sessions and outreach programs.
SPACE ASTRONOMY CLUB STUDENTS FEEDBACK The event was well appreciated by the parents, students, teachers and school management. The SPACE team got amazing feedbacks. Quoting one of them here: Good programme, Students are aware of concepts related to activities taught to them Ms. Jyotsana, Coordinator Report by: Saurabh Mishra Educator SPACE Delhi