Bibcode
Garcia, M. A.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy for the Developing World, 26th meeting of the IAU, Special Session 5, 21-22 August, 2006 in Prague, Czech Republic, SPS5, #46
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8
2006
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
Beginning in 2001, the Gemini Observatory began the development of an
innovative and aggressive education and outreach program at its Southern
Hemisphere site in northern Chile. A principal focus of this effort is
centered on local education and outreach to communities surrounding the
observatory and its base facility in La Serena Chile. Programs are now
established with local schools using two portable StarLab planetaria, an
internet-based teacher exchange called StarTeachers and multiple
partnerships with local educational institutions. Other elements include
a CD-ROM-based virtual tour that allows students, teachers and the
public to experience the observatory's sites in Chile and Hawaii. This
virtual environment allows interaction using a variety of immersive
scenarios such as a simulated observation using real data from Gemini.
Pilot projects like "Live from Gemini" are currently being developed
which use internet videoconferencing technologies to bring the
observatory's facilities into classrooms at universities and remote
institutions. Lessons learned from the implementation of these and other
programs will be introduced and the challenges of developing educational
programming in a developing country will be shared.