Organizers and Partners

Global Hands-on Universe (GHOU)

The Hands-On Universe (HOU) project began in the 1990s in the USA.

Over the years, other countries became involved and Global Hands-On Universe (GHOU) Association was formed as a non-profit organization with partners worldwide.

The mission of GHOU is to train teachers on the use of modern tools and resources for science education and engage students in international scientific projects. We also aim to promote interactive science projects among GHOU countries and engage educators and students in a truly global cooperation. No borders or frontiers.

Amanogawa Galaxy Astronomy Research Center (AGARC)

The Amanogawa Galaxy Astronomy Research Center (AGARC) is an organization to promote astronomical research at Kagoshima University, which operates the 1m optical-infrared telescope at Iriki, Satsumasendai, and the 20m antenna at Iriki, one of the site of VERA, VLBI Exploration for Radio Astrometry of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), in cooperation with NAOJ. In addition, we are conducting various astronomical researches on the Milky Way Galaxy using our own astronomical instruments, various astronomical observation facilities in Japan and abroad, and supercomputers. We are developing the instruments and technologies that form the basis of our research, especially radio and infrared observations and computer simulations.

NUCLIO

NUCLIO (Núcleo Interativo de Astronomia e Inovação em Educação) is a non-profit association and Non-Governmental Development Organization, created in Portugal in 2001, and formed by a group of scientists, researchers, educators and teachers, specialized in different scientific domains as well as in psychology of education and science education.​

NUCLIO’s mission is to bring innovation and development in education to all parts of the world and to promote diversity, inclusion, and an engaging holistic education for all.​ Since the beginning, Astronomy has been a vehicle of choice for the accomplishment of this mission. NUCLIO coordinates the Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP) worldwide.​

Galileo Teacher Training Program (GTTP)

The Galileo Teacher Training Program is a legacy of the International Year of Astronomy 2009, created with the aim of training teachers in the effective use, and transfer into classroom science curricula, of astronomy tools and existing resources, freely available on the internet.

But GTTP went further, creating a worldwide network of certified teachers, Galileo Teachers and Galileo Ambassadors, that remained after 2009. In this network, that encourages collaboration and provides support in the implementation of projects, the participants can find new tools and suggestions for deeper learning and innovation in education.

The Galileo Teacher Training Program is coordinated worldwide by NUCLIO.

International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC)

The International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC) is a citizen science program that started in 2006, founded by Patrick Miller, a professor at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas.

This program makes use of telescopes all over the globe to capture images of the sky that are then distributed to schools and analysed by students in order to identify objects that move quickly against the background stars. Therefore, students are able to make original astronomical discoveries and participate in hands-on astronomy, contributing to the discovery of new asteroids and helping to reduce part of the risk these objects may represent if they are eventually on a collision course with Earth.

National Schools' Observatory

Liverpool John Moores University started the National Schools’ Observatory (NSO) with the mission: Access to the Universe for All.

The National Schools’ Observatory provides schools with access to the 2-metre aperture robotic Liverpool Telescope in the Canary Islands, including the ability for students and teachers to make their own observations and perform scientific investigations with the resulting data.

NSO uses the wonders of space to inspire the next generation of scientists, programmers and engineers.

Faulkes Telescope Project

Based in South Wales, the Faulkes Telescope Project is an education partner of Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) that provides free access via the internet to a global network of robotic telescopes for education.

The project offers a fully supported education programme on all aspects of using astronomy and broader STEM subjects, to encourage teachers and students to engage in research-based science education: spot new supernovae, catch a comet, gaze at galaxies – bring the Universe into the classroom and carry out real research with astronomers!

Access to the project resources and those of their partners is provided at no charge to teachers and students.

 

Manthan Educational Programme Society India

Manthan, the brain-child of late Mr. Ramesh Kothari, was established as a non-profit organization with an aim to eradicate the qualms of science by developing a scientific temper in the young minds and the members of communities.

Manthan gives great significance to curiosity in minds of students, educators and trainees for experiential learning through various expressive mediums – initially through folk art like puppet shows followed by educational tools, radio programs, exhibitions and by creating a massive outreach programme through Hands-on activities and resourceful kits. The goal is to simplify and give quality outreach in the field of science and communication mostly for the youth and the community.

Presently, Manthan runs a tribal science centre in the Narmada District of Gujarat state and is in the process of establishing an entrepreneurship development training centre for the rural and tribal communities of Narmada.

Global Science Opera

The Global Science Opera (GSO) is a creative education initiative that combines science, art, technology, and education in a global network of scientists, art and education institutions and projects.

Using digital interaction, schools, universities and art and institutions from over 30 participating countries perform and live-stream Global Science Opera performances. One team in each participating country is invited to develop a two-minute scene for the opera, with all the scenes being performed together on a designated date as a continuous, real-time event that viewers can watch online.

The GSO is a legacy of the International Year of Light 2015, and began as a collaboration between several international projects, institutions and volunteer networks: The European Commission’s CREAT-IT project, Global Hands on Universe, the Galileo Teacher Training Programme, and the European Economic Area’s Write a Science Opera (WASO) project.

ESIA (European School Innovation Academy)

ESIA aims to create the right environment to introduce innovation in schools in Europe and beyond! The knowledge and resources of ESIA are build upon the immense experience of more than 200 EU funded projects.

ESIA is acting as information hub to support and promote EU educational policies in regards to school education, teacher training, school curricula development, assessment of learning outcomes, offering international training activities and providing guidelines, support and qualifications for training providers to design the most effective Professional Development programs for teachers.

Committees

Local Organizing Committe

  • Toshihiro Handa – Chair (Kagoshima University)

(in alphabetical order of family names)

  • Hidehiko Agata (NAOJ)
  • Ichiro Chikami (Kushikino Senior High School)
  • Masamitsu Goshima (Sugamo Senior High School)
  • Mayumi Handa (Toshihiro Handa office)
  • Koji Hata (Okayama Shoka University High School)
  • Kazuhisa Kamegai (NAOJ)
  • Misato Kosuge (Tokyo Tech High School of Science and Technology)
  • Toshihisa Maeda (Kagoshima Astronomical Society)
  • Naoki Matsumoto (Keio Senior High School)
  • Ren Matsusaka (Kagoshima University)
  • Tamami Miyazaki (Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology)
  • Yusuke Sato (Wakayama University)
  • Yosuke Shibata (Kagoshima University)
  • Hideo Shinohara (Saitama Prefectural Urawa Nishi High School)
  • Shum Kayiu (Kagoshima University)
  • Naohiro Takanashi (University of Tokyo)
  • Akihiko Tomita (Wakayama University)
  • Tomoki Yamaguchi (Kagoshima University)

Scientific Organizing Committee

  • Avivah Yamani, Indonesia (Langt Selatan)
  • Bonnie Thurber, USA (iCollaboratory)
  • Carl Pennypacker, USA (GHOU)
  • Eduardo Penteado, Brazil (OAE/IAU)
  • Fraser Lewis, United Kingdom (Faulkes Telescope Project/National Schools Observatory)
  • Gustavo Rojas, Portugal (NUCLIO/GHOU)
  • Hassane Darhmaoui, Morocco (Al Akhawayn University)
  • Ilavenil Thirumavalavan, India (HOU India)
  • Kathan Kothari, India (Manthan Educational Programme Society)
  • Rosa Doran, Portugal (NUCLIO/GHOU)
  • Toshihiro Handa, Japan (Kagoshima University)

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