Istruzione e Formazione
Scientific Initiative Designed by Elena Baturina's Foundation 'Noosphere' Continues to Introduce Young Londoners to Astronomy
'Discovery in a Week' brings together PHD astronomy students from the UCL's Physics and Astronomy department to mentor secondary school pupils, who are not only enhancing their theoretical knowledge, but also making real astronomic discoveries by analysing pictures from a powerful telescope in Australia .
The aim of the project is not just to introduce schoolchildren to the fascinating world of astronomy, but by producing real scientific results to give them a rewarding educational experience that broadens their intellectual horizons.
The project has proven to be a success right from the start: during the pilot launch of the programme only, 9 new variable stars were discovered, and up to the moment, the students from 12 London schools involved in the initiative have discovered 18 variable stars!
The stars discovered by children get recorded in the International Variable Star Index and named after their young discoverers, while the coordinates of the asteroids detected are sent to the Minor Planet Center at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.
The aim of 'Discovery in a Week' is to continue to extend the scope of this initiative to a broader range of schools over the next few years, as well as create an international network of enthusiastic young observers and researchers by encouraging children from different countries to exchange their astronomical experience and ideas during regular conferences.
Elena Baturina , Founder of 'Noosphere', said: " "
The programme was made possible thanks to the Russian philanthropic foundation 'Noosphere' in partnership with the Mayor's Fund for London , and with support from the BE OPEN foundation. Since 2008, 'Noosphere' has conducted its educational projects across schools in India , Israel , Bulgaria , Romania and Austria .