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SUMMARY:O42 - Developing Student Astronomy Ambassadors through the Vajirav
 udh College Astronomy Club: An Urban Model for Astronomy Education and Sci
 ence Communication
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261125T034500Z
DTEND;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261125T040000Z
DTSTAMP;VALUE=DATE-TIME:20261112T144149Z
UID:indico-contribution-887@indico.narit.or.th
DESCRIPTION:Speakers: Suteewat Nimruang ()\nThe VC Astronomy Club was esta
 blished to cultivate students as competent astronomy ambassadors by integr
 ating scientific knowledge\, observational skills\, leadership\, and scien
 ce communication into a sustainable educational framework. The program add
 resses the challenge of delivering high-quality astronomy education in an 
 urban environment where severe light pollution significantly restricts dir
 ect astronomical observations. Rather than considering these environmental
  limitations as obstacles\, the club employs inquiry-based and experientia
 l learning approaches to transform constraints into opportunities for scie
 ntific exploration and innovation.\n       The educational framework combi
 nes classroom instruction\, hands-on observational activities\, telescope 
 operation and maintenance\, and public outreach with participation in nati
 onal and international astronomy camps\, workshops\, and academic exchange
  programs. These authentic learning experiences enable students to strengt
 hen their understanding of astronomical concepts\, develop practical obser
 vational competencies\, and apply scientific inquiry in real-world context
 s. Simultaneously\, students cultivate transferable skills\, including com
 munication\, teamwork\, critical thinking\, and leadership.\n       A key 
 objective of the VC Astronomy Club is to empower students to become effect
 ive science communicators who can translate complex astronomical concepts 
 into engaging and accessible learning experiences for the public. Through 
 organizing observation nights\, exhibitions\, and community outreach activ
 ities\, students actively promote scientific literacy while inspiring curi
 osity and appreciation for astronomy among diverse audiences.\n      The V
 C Astronomy Club demonstrates that urban light pollution does not preclude
  meaningful astronomy education. Instead\, strategic educational design\, 
 experiential learning\, and continuous student engagement can foster scien
 tific competence\, strengthen public participation in science\, and inspir
 e the next generation of learners to explore the universe. This model prov
 ides a sustainable and transferable framework for astronomy education that
  can be adopted by schools facing similar environmental challenges.\n\nhtt
 ps://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/887/
LOCATION:Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort Ballroom III
URL:https://indico.narit.or.th/event/238/contributions/887/
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