BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//CERN//INDICO//EN BEGIN:VEVENT SUMMARY:P14 - Empowering Rural Students through Research-Based Astronomy E ducation: Development of the ASTRO-KHURU Project-Based Learning Model in a Thai Secondary School DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261123T033000Z DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261123T040000Z DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261112T142549Z UID:indico-contribution-873@indico.narit.or.th DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Witchaphon Puangkaew (Kuruprachasan School\, Seconda ry Educational Service Area Office Uthai Thani Chai Nat\, Thailand)\, Pho ngpathapee Thaikiew (Kuruprachasan School\, Secondary Educational Service Area Office Uthai Thani Chai Nat\, Thailand)\nAccess to authentic astrono my research experiences remains limited for many students in rural schools \, particularly in contexts where scientific equipment\, specialist suppor t\, and opportunities for advanced inquiry are not readily available. This study presents the development and implementation of the ASTRO-KHURU Mode l\, a project-based astronomy learning model designed to promote astronomi cal research competencies among secondary school students in a rural Thai school context. The study aimed to: 1) develop a project-based astronomy l earning model integrated with the ASTRO-KHURU framework\, 2) construct and validate the quality of the developed instructional model\, and 3) examin e the effects of the model by comparing students’ post-learning abilitie s in planning and conducting astronomical research with the 80% criterion\ , alongside a qualitative analysis of students’ learning behaviors and r esearch skill development.\n\nThe target group consisted of 35 upper secon dary school students from Khuruprachasan School\, Chainat\, Thailand\, who voluntarily participated in the project “Astro Research Kick-off: Ignit ing Dreams\, Cultivating Young Astronomy Researchers.” The participants were selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments include d: 1) the ASTRO-KHURU instructional model\, developed through the integrat ion of Project-Based Learning\, systems thinking\, and the PDCA cycle\; 2) an astronomical research skills assessment\; and 3) field note and learni ng reflection forms. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics\, inc luding mean and standard deviation\, a one-sample t-test\, and content ana lysis.\n\nThe findings revealed that the ASTRO-KHURU Model was operational ized through nine structured learning stages: A: Activate Curiosity\, S: S ystem Thinking and Science Literacy\, T: Teamwork and Topic Selection\, R: Research Design\, O: Observation and Operation\, K: Knowledge Constructio n\, H: Highlight and Presentation\, U: Use of Feedback\, and R: Reflection and Future Path. These stages enabled students to engage in astronomy res earch through curiosity-driven inquiry\, collaborative topic development\, systematic research design\, hands-on observation\, knowledge constructio n\, academic presentation\, feedback-based improvement\, and reflective pl anning for future learning.\n\nThe quality evaluation showed that the appr opriateness of the model\, as assessed by experts\, was at the highest lev el (Mean = 4.43\, S.D. = 0.38). The instructional efficiency of the model was 82.12/88.45\, exceeding the established 80/80 criterion. After impleme ntation\, students’ astronomical research skills reached 89.66%\, which was significantly higher than the 80% criterion at the .01 level. Students ’ overall satisfaction with the learning model was high (Mean = 4.52\, S .D. = 0.41)\, with the highest-rated aspect being “inspiration for futur e learning and careers in science” (Mean = 4.68). Content analysis of st udents’ reflections further indicated that 100% of the students were abl e to clearly describe their cognitive development\, acquired research skil ls\, and inspiration for further study in space science.\n\nThese findings indicate that the ASTRO-KHURU Model is an effective instructional approac h for promoting active learning and developing astronomical research compe tencies among secondary school students in rural educational contexts. The study demonstrates that\, when rural students are provided with a structu red learning process\, meaningful mentorship\, and opportunities to engage in authentic scientific inquiry\, they can develop research skills\, conf idence\, and motivation to pursue astronomy and space science. The model t herefore offers a practical and scalable framework for expanding research- based astronomy education\, reducing opportunity gaps\, and cultivating yo ung astronomy researchers in rural and underserved schools.\n\nKeywords: A STRO-KHURU Model\, project-based learning\, astronomy education\, rural sc hool\, astronomical research competencies\, young astronomy researchers\, active learning\, research-based learning\n\nhttps://indico.narit.or.th/ev ent/238/contributions/873/ LOCATION:Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort\, Mactan\, Cebu URL:https://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/873/ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR