“Delhi World Public School Rajkot”, students and teachers participated in the prestigious ‘Shadow the Scientist’ (StS) program organized by the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of California Observatories, Santa Cruz under the STEAM experiential learning programs for India’s Youth. Historical moment for the DWPS Rajkot students and teacher, indeed DWPS Rajkot was one among 143 participants in CBSE Schools in all over the World.

The StS program offers high school students and educators a unique opportunity to shadow scientists and researchers, gaining firsthand exposure to scientific research methodologies, problem-solving processes, and technical aspects of astronomical equipment. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program seamlessly transitioned to virtual platforms, enabling participants to join observing nights at renowned telescopes like Keck Observatory, Subaru, and Lick Observatory/Shane.

Highlights of Participation:

1. Historical Achievement: DWPS Rajkot stood out as one among 143 participants from CBSE schools worldwide, marking a historical moment for its students and teachers.
2. DWPS Rajkot Students Engagement: Participants engaged in real-time communication with astronomers, gaining insights into their academic and career journeys, scientific passions, and problem-solving approaches.
3. Technical Understanding: Through interactive sessions, students and educators developed understanding of the technical intricacies of research equipment such as telescopes, spectrographs, and cameras, enhancing their understanding of astrophysical principles.

Expansion Opportunities: DWPS Rajkot students developed an exceptional opportunity to foster equity and promote experiential learning in astrophysics.

International Gemini Observatory Session: As a culmination of the StS program, the University of California organized a dedicated Astronomy Night session at the International Gemini Observatory North. The observing team utilized advanced instruments like GMOS, ʻAlopeke, MAROON-X, GNIRS, and ALTAIR, covering a wide range of astronomical phenomena from asteroids to distant galaxies.

Principal’s Perspective: Principal Rajeev Ranjan expressed enthusiasm about the session, emphasizing its significance in exposing students and teachers to the wonders of the scientific world. He highlighted the diverse topics covered, ranging from our solar system’s asteroids to gamma-ray bursts, enriching the learning experiences of DWPS Rajkot stakeholders.

Participation in the Shadow the Scientist program and the subsequent Astronomy Night session at the International Gemini Observatory has been a transformative experience for DWPS Rajkot students and teachers. These initiatives have not only broadened their scientific horizons but have also instilled a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the universe, paving the way for future exploration and discovery.

DWPS Rajkot will ensure the continuation and expansion of such experiential learning programs, advocating for increased accessibility and inclusivity to empower more students and educators in the pursuit of scientific knowledge and discovery.

Principal

Rajeev Ranjan

Ministry’s (DoSE&L, Ministry of Education) letter No.F.1-5/2024-CBSE dated 08.01.2024, it is informed that the “Shadow the Scientist”(StS) program of Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of California Observatories, University of California Santa Cruz, is a unique opportunity that allows high school students to experience firsthand what it’s like to be a scientist. Participants get the chance to shadow a scientist or researcher, observing their work, asking questions, and gaining insights into the world of scientific research. The faculty of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of California Observatories, Santa Cruze, alongwith their research team initiated StS amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 in which they started inviting groups of students and educators to virtually join their observing nights on telescopes like Keck Observatory, Subaru, and Lick Observatory/Shane.

he faculty of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of California Observatories, Santa Cruze, alongwith their research team initiated StS amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 in which they started inviting groups of students and educators to virtually join their observing nights on telescopes like Keck Observatory, Subaru, and Lick Observatory/Shane. In these StS astronomy Zoom sessions, the primary focus is on real-time communication among the team of astronomers providing participants a firsthand experience of genuine scientific research, with content that remains unaltered or curated. The sessions have been exciting for students and educators as they get to:  Connect with actual scientists and engineers, observing their problem-solving processes, understanding their passions, and learning about their academic and career journeys.  Gain insights into the underlying scientific principles.  Understand the technical aspects of research equipment such as telescopes, spectrographs, and cameras.  The University of California has extended an opportunity for students aged 15-17 and teachers from 1000 CBSE-affiliated schools on ‘First Cum First Basis’ to participate in the Creating Equity in STEAM (CrEST) program in the first phase. The Programme is offered to schools  free of cost  This program presents an exceptional opportunity for schools to embrace real-time experiential learning in astrophysics. By encouraging participation, students can immerse themselves in firsthand experiences that might ignite a genuine interest in the field.

University of California Organized  a dedicated Astronomy Night session at the International Gemini Observatory North for the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) on April 10, 11:30 am–1:30 pm IST

The international Gemini Observatory consists of twin 8.1-meter diameter optical/infrared telescopes located on mountains in Hawai`i (Maunakea) and Chile (Cerro Pachón), enabling the telescopes to collectively access the entire sky.

The observing team will be using the Gemini North telescope located near the summit of Maunakea on the island of Hawai`i, with the observations taking place remotely from the control room in the Hilo Base Facility. Gemini Observatory utilizes queue observing mode in which staff take observations on behalf of science teams from all over the world. The staff determine the conditions on the ground and in the sky, as well as the scientific priorities, and choose from a pool of scientific programs to observe.

The instruments available to the observing team during this session include the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS), the speckle imager ʻAlopeke, the MAROON-X instrument which is capable of detecting Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of low-mass nearby stars, and the Gemini Near InfraRed Spectrograph (GNIRS). Also available will be the ALTtitude conjugate Adaptive optics for the InfraRed (ALTAIR), Gemini’s natural/laser guide star adaptive optics system, which can be used with the GNIRS instrument.

Observing targets for this session could range from asteroids in our solar system, massive stars, and distant galaxies, to supernovae, and even gamma-ray bursts.