On 13. and 14. May 2016 the 12th edition of Astro party Baykal was held in Bulgaria. Astro Party has been annually held since 2005 on the beautiful bank of the river of Danube at the village of Baykal, Dolna Mitropolia Municipality, Bulgaria, under the patronage of the Minister of Education and Science and the Mayor of Dolna Mitropolia Municipality. The programme includes activities with students and teachers who inspire a love of both sciences – physics and astronomy.
When taking part in the party, students gain more skills both in theory itself and in making observation experiments of space. They learn how to analyse and describe such experiments. These activities are not held in school competitions in astronomy. The party itself gives a lot of opportunities to carry out a variety of methodical activities with physics and astronomy teachers. It makes extra-curricular activities more attractive to students.
The event is included for a seventh time in the National Calendar for extracurricular activities of the Ministry of Education and Science for the academic year 2015/2016.
Project aims:
- getting students interested in astronomy and watching space;
- increasing interest in physics knowledge - especially in astronomy, sense of harmony and order and aesthetics;
- providing a suitable environment for developing creative and intellectual skills in teachers and students;
- developing creative activity and raising interest and knowledge in the field of astronomy;
- exchange of teaching experience
Objectives:
- providing students with knowledge and skills in the field of physics and astronomy;
- improving and developing knowledge of students who show interest in astronomy;
- helping students with vocational guidance by providing them with team work skills;
- providing students with practical skills in explaining unknown physics phenomena;
- providing students with skills for developing space watching activities
Work, style and methods:
Innovative methods, team work, workshops. Students who have proved their excellent knowledge of astronomy teach their beginner classmates. A variety of practical activities and education with regard to ecology are also included in the event.
Organizers: Ministry of education and science, National children’s palace, Regional education inspectorate Pleven, Dolna Mitropolia Municipality and Astro club at the Municipal center of extracurricular activities and pursuits of interests – village of Baykal.
Partners: Union of the astronomers in Bulgaria, Sofia university faculty of physics, Institute of astronomy at Bulgarian Academy of sciences, Astronomy association – Sofia.
International partners: SPACE AWARENESS, UNAWE - UNIVERSE AWARENESS, IAU - International astronomy union, GTTP - Galileo Teachers Training Program, EAAE - European association for astronomy education, SCIENTIX.
The participants are: 19 physics and astronomy teachers from the municipal schools on the territory of Dolna Mitropolia municipality and across the country, 33 ranked students in regional, national and international astronomy Olympics with the curiosity to touch the most beautiful and ancient science – the astronomy.
Main topic of Astro party 2016 – - "Inquiry Based Learning to non-formal education in physics and astronomy"
Guest lecturer was Dr. Eva Bozhurova, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University of intriguing story by measuring the speed of light. A meeting was special Astrorabotilnitsa which students and teachers worked 3 D models of the Sun, Earth and Moon, educational resource from the European Project SPACE AWERENESS. Children from Astro Club participated in the preliminary design and manufacture 60 sets under the direction of Ivo Jokin:
- 60 pizza boxes;
- Printing methodological manuals;
- Printing of educational booklet;
- Worksheet
- Assembling and filling with material kit.
Students are introduced to mobile app Space scoop and how to get involved in the competition for children's drawings. Traditionally organized round table "Teachers for teachers" were presented projects SPACE AWERENESS- educational resources, training courses for teachers, resources from GTTP - Galileo Teachers Training Program and ISe- Inspiring Science Education and participation opportunities for students and teachers.
The evening program continued with "Under the stars of the Danube" - presentation "Universe", rock concert "Family Chapanov" and astronomical observations, Astro laser show visible constellations and their mythology.
On the second day the program continued to monitor waterfowl and waterfowl on the Danube with binoculars. Conducted informal learning activities GTTP will be validated certificate "Galileo Teacher" by Galileo Ambassador to Bulgaria Ivo Jokin. All participants received a certificate of participation and an amateur astronomer, gifts, brochures and posters about the project SPACE AWE.
