Description
Abstract (1)
The “Astronomy for Young Minds” project is an extracurricular outreach initiative designed to bridge the gap in science education by bringing astronomy learning opportunities to students in small rural primary schools. These schools often lack access to qualified science teachers, educational materials, and observational tools. Led by members of the school's astronomy club, the project targeted under-resourced schools in nearby districts, providing hands-on, engaging activities during daytime sessions.
The program featured a wide variety of activities, including a mobile planetarium dome, star map usage, solar system exploration, solar observation using telescopes, balance and motion experiments, glow-in-the-dark demonstrations, binocular usage, art-based astronomy activities, and educational games. The aim was to spark curiosity, encourage observation skills, and promote scientific questioning among young learners.
As a result, students from more than five rural schools gained access to astronomy resources they had never experienced before. Participants showed high levels of enthusiasm and engagement across all activities. The planetarium dome emerged as the most popular feature, followed by telescope-based solar observation. The project demonstrates an effective model for making science accessible and inspiring future interest in astronomy among young students in underserved areas.
