Galileo-Mobile. That's the name of a team of researchers that the Max Planck Institute in Germany created, to spread awareness about geography and astronomy among students.
The group was formed in 2009, to mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo's invention of the telescope.
The group was formed with the intention of travelling to developing countries, to arouse interest in science among school students. It is also ably supported by organisations of international repute, including Universe Awareness, Galileo Teachers' Training Programme, Global Hands on the Universe, and the International Astronomical Union-founded Office of Astronomy for Development.
The team, which comprises 27 people, is no longer one of only researchers. True, it has Phd students researching in the field of geography, astronomy and geophysics, but it also has journalists, social workers, engineers, etc, all hailing from different backgrounds and cultures, and speaking different languages.
There are members from Spain, Germany, Switzerland and India too in this group. Six members of this team recently visited the Kamadhenuhalli Government High School in Kolar taluk. The team kickstarted its 'Astro Chariot' across India, from Kolar and Chikballapur districts.
They have been supported by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in their India venture. While at the school, the team opened up a whole new world for students there. Into the faraway world of the sky, stars and the planets.
Philippe, a member of the team, showed them a huge globe and asked them to point out India. He also set up a solar system model for them to understand planetary movements.
One of the team members was Indian, Megha Bhatt, was in charge of coordination. There was much singing too, with team member Pilar singing a song on the sun, and getting the children to chorus along with him.
The team also visited other schools in the State, including a school in Shidlaghatta taluk and the T S Subbanna High School in Mysore. Also, the team visited Malur, Srinivasapura, Shidlaghatta, Thodagere, Alanahalli, Kunigal, Koppa, Ramanagara, KM Doddi, Channapatna and Mandya along the way.
The group was formed in 2009, to mark the 400th anniversary of Galileo's invention of the telescope.
The group was formed with the intention of travelling to developing countries, to arouse interest in science among school students. It is also ably supported by organisations of international repute, including Universe Awareness, Galileo Teachers' Training Programme, Global Hands on the Universe, and the International Astronomical Union-founded Office of Astronomy for Development.
The team, which comprises 27 people, is no longer one of only researchers. True, it has Phd students researching in the field of geography, astronomy and geophysics, but it also has journalists, social workers, engineers, etc, all hailing from different backgrounds and cultures, and speaking different languages.
There are members from Spain, Germany, Switzerland and India too in this group. Six members of this team recently visited the Kamadhenuhalli Government High School in Kolar taluk. The team kickstarted its 'Astro Chariot' across India, from Kolar and Chikballapur districts.
They have been supported by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics and the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in their India venture. While at the school, the team opened up a whole new world for students there. Into the faraway world of the sky, stars and the planets.
Philippe, a member of the team, showed them a huge globe and asked them to point out India. He also set up a solar system model for them to understand planetary movements.
One of the team members was Indian, Megha Bhatt, was in charge of coordination. There was much singing too, with team member Pilar singing a song on the sun, and getting the children to chorus along with him.
The team also visited other schools in the State, including a school in Shidlaghatta taluk and the T S Subbanna High School in Mysore. Also, the team visited Malur, Srinivasapura, Shidlaghatta, Thodagere, Alanahalli, Kunigal, Koppa, Ramanagara, KM Doddi, Channapatna and Mandya along the way.