A Stargazing Opportunity for Half of England's Pupils

When it comes to enthusing young people into science, intuitive hands-on activities can be extremely effective. In this respect, the beauty of celestial objects has always contributed to make Astronomy particularly attractive, which would also explain the attention it generally receives from the media.

Yet, Astronomy has only a limited space in the national curriculum and in practice pupils are not provided with many chances to approach this subject, let alone to engage in first-hand experiments such as looking through the eyepiece of telescope.

The goal of this programme is to bring such a stargazing experience to as many pupils as possible over the course of three years, whilst boosting their teachers` in delivering this and other scientific subjects of the curriculum.

To achieve these goals, I will draw from my own 5-years-long experience as event organiser at the Bayfordbury observatory of the University of Hertordshire and tap into the capillary network of the Science Learning Centre Consortium (SLCC) for London, South-East and Central England, the head-quarters of which are also based at Bayfordbury, to mount nearly 40 stargazing events across an area that covers 47% of England's state schools. In order to man such a large number of events, which will feature also talks, planetarium shows, laboratory experiments and computer activities, I will seek out and involve keen teachers in each of the regional areas that I will visit, liaising also with local amateur astronomy groups to assist with the stargazing element of the event.

To ensure the success of these events and - most important - provide a lasting resource for teachers, I will assemble into a single Deployable Open Evening package all the explanations for setting up and running all the activities that will take place at these events, which will also link to the curriculum and in particular to the subject of the GCSE qualification in Astronomy. Such a package - most likely to be in the form of a tablet application - will be the real legacy of this programme, helping teachers to further carry on enthusing their students into Astronomy, either in class or by organising their own stargazing event, possibly also in collaboration with amateur astronomers in their communities.

If fact, I will judge the success of my programme not only on the level of enthusiasm that will be generated by my events, but mostly on the lasting use of my Deployable Open Evening package by teachers and monitoring the number of pupils that during my fellowship will choose, or show interest in opting for a GCSE in Astronomy.