Description
Vajiravudh College(VC), an all-boys boarding school located in the heart of Bangkok, is situated in an urban environment where light pollution and air quality pose significant challenges to astronomical observation. In response, the VC Astronomy Club was established to promote informal and extracurricular astronomy education among students through hands-on, inquiry-based experiences that extend beyond the standard curriculum.
Leveraging the residential structure of the school—which allows students to remain on campus throughout the academic term—the club offers continuous opportunities for engagement. Activities include daytime and nighttime telescope observations, water rocket competitions, exhibitions, and student-led astronomy camps. A strong emphasis is placed on student leadership development through training in both theoretical knowledge and the practical use of astronomical equipment. These students serve as peer educators and facilitators in outreach initiatives.
In alignment with the goals of inclusive science education, the club also serves as a platform for community outreach. Student members are trained as junior science communicators and lead activities aimed at expanding public access to astronomy, particularly for underserved populations such as students with special needs and elderly communities. The school campus is increasingly being opened as an accessible learning space for the public, allowing urban residents to engage with astronomy despite environmental constraints.
Through these initiatives, Vajiravudh College aims to become a model for how schools in densely populated areas can integrate astronomy education with civic engagement, helping to make the universe accessible to all—regardless of location or background.
