Presentation of the project"Astro party" by Ivo Jokin, held during the 9th Science Projects Workshop in the Future Classroom Lab, Brussels, 6-8 November 2015

1. Astro partyAstro party
Ivo JokinIvo Jokin
Municipal center for extracurricular activities, BulgariaMunicipal center for extracurricular activities, Bulgaria
e-mail: ivo_jokin@abv.bge-mail: ivo_jokin@abv.bg
9th Scientix Projects Workshop in the Future Classroom Lab
Brussels, 6.11.2015Brussels, 6.11.2015

2. What is the state ofWhat is the state of astronomyastronomy
education at the timeeducation at the time ??

3.  It is a well-known fact that all over Europe theIt is a well-known fact that all over Europe the
process of integrating students to activities that areprocess of integrating students to activities that are
related to science both at the classroom andrelated to science both at the classroom and
outside of it run into certain difficulties. In evidenceoutside of it run into certain difficulties. In evidence
there is a decrease of the motivation of both pupilsthere is a decrease of the motivation of both pupils
and school teachers.and school teachers.
 greater part of the curriculum and the perceivedgreater part of the curriculum and the perceived
difficulty students have difficulty in describingdifficulty students have difficulty in describing
natural phenomenanatural phenomena
 models and tools used by teachers do not alwaysmodels and tools used by teachers do not always
achieve the desired resultachieve the desired result
 The students need competenceThe students need competencess that would helpthat would help
them at the dynamically changing world, to think inthem at the dynamically changing world, to think in
a constructive way and to be creative.a constructive way and to be creative.

4. The educational work through extracurricularThe educational work through extracurricular
activities gives the opportunity for those skillsactivities gives the opportunity for those skills
to be attained so that theto be attained so that the intradisciplinaryintradisciplinary
standards could be achieved.standards could be achieved.

5. Municipal center for extracurricular activitiesMunicipal center for extracurricular activities
““Rainbow” painting SchoolRainbow” painting School
Authentic folklore groupAuthentic folklore group
““Kalushari”Kalushari”
““Danube” ecologyDanube” ecology
clubclub
Astro club

6. Astro party
Constructivist
Learning
Inquiry based
science education

7. OrganizersOrganizers : Ministry of education and science, National children’s: Ministry of education and science, National children’s
palace, Regional education inspectorate Pleven, Dolnapalace, Regional education inspectorate Pleven, Dolna
Mitropolia Municipality and astro club at the Municipal center ofMitropolia Municipality and astro club at the Municipal center of
extracurricular activities and pursuits of interests – village ofextracurricular activities and pursuits of interests – village of
Baykal;Baykal;
Partners:Partners: Union of the astronomers in Bulgaria, Sofia universityUnion of the astronomers in Bulgaria, Sofia university
faculty of physics, Institute of astronomy at Bulgarian Academyfaculty of physics, Institute of astronomy at Bulgarian Academy
of sciences, Institute of electronics at Bulgarian Academy ofof sciences, Institute of electronics at Bulgarian Academy of
sciences, Astronomy association – Sofia;sciences, Astronomy association – Sofia;
International partners:International partners: IAU - International astronomy union,IAU - International astronomy union,
EAAE - European association for astronomy education, GTTP -EAAE - European association for astronomy education, GTTP -
Galileo Teachers Training Program, UNAWE - UNIVERSEGalileo Teachers Training Program, UNAWE - UNIVERSE
AWARENESSAWARENESS..
The event is included for a seventh time in the National calendarThe event is included for a seventh time in the National calendar
forfor extracurricular activities of the Ministry of education andextracurricular activities of the Ministry of education and
science for the academic 2015/2016.science for the academic 2015/2016.

8. AimsAims
 - Rising students, interest in Astronomy and- Rising students, interest in Astronomy and
watching space.watching space.
 - Growing interest in Physics knowledge especially- Growing interest in Physics knowledge especially
in astronomy,growing students, sense of harmonyin astronomy,growing students, sense of harmony
and order and esthetics .and order and esthetics .
 - Providing a suitable environment for developing- Providing a suitable environment for developing
teachers and students creative and intellectualteachers and students creative and intellectual
skills.skills.
 - Developing creative activity and rising interest in- Developing creative activity and rising interest in
knowledge in the field of Astronomy.knowledge in the field of Astronomy.
 - Exchange of teaching experience- Exchange of teaching experience

9. How to make model of the Solar system ?How to make model of the Solar system ?
Model of the Jupiter and Galilean SatellitsModel of the Jupiter and Galilean Satellits
““Starry Sky for all”Starry Sky for all”
Gives children with visualGives children with visual
impairments to experienceimpairments to experience
the starry sky.the starry sky.
Learning by doing

10. SStellartellar
workshopworkshop
Oath of young astronomer

11. ““Classroom under the starsClassroom under the stars””
Children lie to special loungesChildren lie to special lounges
type "Cosmic chair" , speakertype "Cosmic chair" , speaker
in the middle and a laserin the middle and a laser
pointer to show the visiblepointer to show the visible
constellations, the names ofconstellations, the names of
some stars and mythology.some stars and mythology.
Can be voiced by electronic orCan be voiced by electronic or
classical music.classical music.
Practical activities:
- Galileoscope and method of use CCD
camera;
- observation of the Moon. Visual
drawings Moon - “Draw the Moon” and
“Shoot the Moon”- shooting with a
digital camera, CCD and mobile phone.

12. Round table and tRound table and t raining of science teachersraining of science teachers

13. UNDER THE STARS OF THEUNDER THE STARS OF THE
DANUBEDANUBE
Exhibition
Presentations of astronomy Astro poetry
Rock concert

14. UNAWE WORKSHOP BULGARIA 2013UNAWE WORKSHOP BULGARIA 2013

15. Project Astro party, TF2A-2014Project Astro party, TF2A-2014
Project activities were implemented with financial supportProject activities were implemented with financial support
of International Astronomical Union-IAU, Office ofof International Astronomical Union-IAU, Office of
Astronomy for Development-OADAstronomy for Development-OAD
guest - UNAWE coordinator of Turkey

16. Astro party 2015,Astro party 2015, “Let there be light”“Let there be light” -- in connection within connection with
the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologiesthe International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies

17. The project MoonBounceThe project MoonBounce
Drawings by students from astroclub were sent to radio telescopeDrawings by students from astroclub were sent to radio telescope
to the Moon and then again returned to Earth. The project isto the Moon and then again returned to Earth. The project is
called MoonBounce and implemented by astronomical Danielacalled MoonBounce and implemented by astronomical Daniela
De Paolis and a team of amateurs from Dwingeloo radioDe Paolis and a team of amateurs from Dwingeloo radio
telescope in Holland.telescope in Holland. Participating schools from around theParticipating schools from around the
worldworld..

18. Another important idea of Astro party is the integrationAnother important idea of Astro party is the integration
of astronomy with biology, in particular ecology - useof astronomy with biology, in particular ecology - use
of the telescopes and binoculars for observation ofof the telescopes and binoculars for observation of
water-floating and water-loving birds, protectedwater-floating and water-loving birds, protected
territory of “Malak Boril” island – natural bay forests ofterritory of “Malak Boril” island – natural bay forests of
white poplar and white willow along the Danube riverwhite poplar and white willow along the Danube river
valley.valley.

19. Secondary Student Survey (L2)Secondary Student Survey (L2)
Procedure:Procedure:
To be completed by secondary school children who have been taught astronomy inTo be completed by secondary school children who have been taught astronomy in
school by an OAD facilitatorschool by an OAD facilitator
and/or teacher trained by OAD facilitators. (Please note that because of the possibilityand/or teacher trained by OAD facilitators. (Please note that because of the possibility
of pre-test sensitisation,of pre-test sensitisation, WWe suggest administering this survey as a post-test only.)e suggest administering this survey as a post-test only.)
Suitable for teenagers aged 12 to 18Suitable for teenagers aged 12 to 18
General questions:General questions:
1. Age1. Age
2. Gender2. Gender
3. School3. School
4. Were you recently taught about astronomy? (Yes/No)4. Were you recently taught about astronomy? (Yes/No)
Please tell us what you think about the following (measures “perceptionsPlease tell us what you think about the following (measures “perceptions
of impact” as described in theof impact” as described in the
introduction):introduction):
Responses range from 1 (strongly disagree) through 4 (strongly agree)Responses range from 1 (strongly disagree) through 4 (strongly agree)
1. I find science interesting1. I find science interesting
2. I like science2. I like science
3. Learning science is important for understanding my place in the world3. Learning science is important for understanding my place in the world
4. Learning science has changed my ideas about how the world works4. Learning science has changed my ideas about how the world works
5. Learning science will help me get a good job5. Learning science will help me get a good job
6. I want to learn more about science6. I want to learn more about science
7. Learning about science showed me that I live in a very big world7. Learning about science showed me that I live in a very big world
8. Learning science has opened my mind to other people who share my interest8. Learning science has opened my mind to other people who share my interest
9. Learning about astronomy in science class was exciting (not applicable option will9. Learning about astronomy in science class was exciting (not applicable option will
be included for thisbe included for this itemitem..

20. Намирам науката за интересна
0 2,56
10,26
87,18
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1 2 3 4
относителначестотана
отговоритев%
1,2,3,4
Обучението по астрономия беше вълнуващо
0
7,89 10,53
81,58
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1 2 3 4
Относителначестотана
отговоритев%
1,2,3,4
I find science interesting
Learning about astronomy was exciting
This document is based on the
“Monitoring and Evaluation
Framework for the International
Astronomical Union's Office of
Astronomy for Development”
report, developed in
collaboration with Prof. Joha
Louw-Potgieter and Dr. Sarah
Chapman from the Institute for
Monitoring and Evaluation,
University of Cape Town, South
Africa.

21. 10 years10 years
Astro party BaykalAstro party Baykal
Municipality Dolna MitropoliaMunicipality Dolna Mitropolia
We started with a telescope and great enthusiasm.
During these years they involved 374 students,
144 teachers, 23 lecturers and 89 guests. Many
participants have won medals in national and
international competitions in astronomy, some of
them currently studying in prestigious Western
universities and science chose their destiny.

22. 20052005
The beginning was the International Year ofThe beginning was the International Year of
PhysicsPhysics

23. 20062006 2006
Total solar eclipse

24. 20072007 2007

25. 20082008 2008
guests - teachers and students
from Korabia, Romania

26. 20092009 2009
International Year of Astronomy
guests - teachers and students
from Istanbul, Turkey

27. 20102010 2010
Beyond the Universe

28. 20112011
International Year of the Solar System

29. 20122012 2012
Transit of Venus

30. 20132013 2013

31. From "Book of impressions"From "Book of impressions"
"For the first time I
was able to see the stars
up close and to feel one
of them! It was an
amazing experience!
Gabriela Chervenakova
Gorna Mitropolia village
“"Thank you for the unforgettable
adventure that we experienced here on the
banks of the Danube! About the program
Astro party Baikal was very interesting
and useful, but the most magical moment,
perhaps, was the Danube sky, which, as
they reveal to us all their stories ...”
Astro club “Urania”, Math School Pleven - Julia, Elia,
Yanita, Juliana, Valentin, Aleksander
"Here, the Astro party
Baikal is true one of my
dreams. I looked through a
telescope and experienced
many other fun and
interesting things. Many
thank everyone for
fulfillment of my dream.”
Viktor Georgiev

32. Astro party in EuropeAstro party in Europe
 "Science on Stage 2""Science on Stage 2"
Grenoble, France 2007Grenoble, France 2007
 Summer School of AstronomySummer School of Astronomy
ESO-EAAE Garching,ESO-EAAE Garching,
Germany 2007Germany 2007
 Summer School ESO-EAAESummer School ESO-EAAE
Granada, Spain 2008Granada, Spain 2008

33. Science on StageScience on Stage
2013,Frankfurt/Oder-Slubice2013,Frankfurt/Oder-Slubice
EUROPEAN GEOSCIENCE UNION
GIFT WORKSHOPS 2011, Vienna
Sorbone, 2011

34. Internet based resources for teaching astronomyInternet based resources for teaching astronomy
EAAEEAAE--EuropeanEuropean
Association for AstronomyAssociation for Astronomy
EducationEducation
Galileo TeachersGalileo Teachers
Training ProgramTraining Program
National school observatory
SCIENTIX
http://www.unawe.orghttp://www.unawe.org
EU HOU

35. ConclusionsConclusions::
 Organisation and putting into practice of activitiesOrganisation and putting into practice of activities
related to science through interactive means andrelated to science through interactive means and
methods increase the interest of teachers andmethods increase the interest of teachers and
pupils – they feel committed to science;pupils – they feel committed to science;
 The exchange of good practiceThe exchange of good practicess and ideas,and ideas,
teaching aidsteaching aids and technologies give the opportunityand technologies give the opportunity
for introduction and use of more efficient methodsfor introduction and use of more efficient methods
andand forms offorms of work at the classroom as well aswork at the classroom as well as
outside of it;outside of it;
 The communication with scientists: „The scientistsThe communication with scientists: „The scientists
at the classroom” and through science organisationat the classroom” and through science organisation
help for the choice of occupation related to science.help for the choice of occupation related to science.

36. References/Sources:References/Sources:
 http://scientix.euhttp://scientix.eu;;
 http://http://www.eaae-astronomy.orgwww.eaae-astronomy.org;;
 www.nuclio.ptwww.nuclio.pt;;
www.globalhou.netwww.globalhou.net;;
www.galileoteachers.orgwww.galileoteachers.org;;
 httphttp://://wwwwww..stellastella--sciencescience..eueu//poolpool__goodgood__practicespractices..phpphp;;
 www.scienceonstage.comwww.scienceonstage.com;;
 http://www.ustream.tv/chanel/optiks2012;http://www.ustream.tv/chanel/optiks2012;
 1st ESO-EAAE Astronomy Summer School, 2007 Garching,1st ESO-EAAE Astronomy Summer School, 2007 Garching,
Germany, poster session ‘Astro Party - Stars in School’s Life’, IvoGermany, poster session ‘Astro Party - Stars in School’s Life’, Ivo
Jokin;Jokin;
 Geophysical Research AbstractsGeophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 12, EGU2010-6594-5, 2010Vol. 12, EGU2010-6594-5, 2010
EGU General Assembly 2010EGU General Assembly 2010 © Author(s) 2010© Author(s) 2010;;
 The stars and the birds in a school lifeThe stars and the birds in a school life,, Ivo JokinIvo Jokin,,MunicipalMunicipal
educenter, Bulgariaeducenter, Bulgaria;;
 Geophysical Research AbstractsGeophysical Research Abstracts Vol. 14, EGU2012-14433, 2012Vol. 14, EGU2012-14433, 2012
EGU General AssemblyEGU General Assembly 20122012 © Author(s) 2012© Author(s) 2012;;
 Education of natural science in the work of the Municipal CenterEducation of natural science in the work of the Municipal Center
forfor Extracurricular ActivitiesExtracurricular Activities -- I. Jokin, BulgariaI. Jokin, Bulgaria

37. ThankThank youyou for your attention !for your attention !
ivo_jokin@abv.bgivo_jokin@abv.bg