The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had earlier notified 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 Cruz, along with 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.
Schools with high-speed internet connectivity may express their interest by completing the Google form available at the following link: https://forms.gle/FyMDdtw4uwcwMjwE7 on or before February 29, 2024. The final dates for the Shadow the Scientists (StS) sessions conducted via Zoom will be communicated to participating schools.
