Summary of January 2009.

Hello,

First month of IYA 2009 was really exciting. Many students, teachers, parents and other participated actively in astronomy related activities. The final report for the month of January, 2009 is as below :

Number of programs conducted : 17

Categorical participation :
Students : 1691
Teachers : 125
Parents : 187
Other : 132

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

30-01-2009, Program at Mahipatram Rupram Ashram (Orphanage), Ahmedabad


Today one unusual phenomenon is noticed. Venus was visible near the crescent Moon at 2 pm. I have tried to capture the same in camera, but due to glare of nearby solar disc, the contrast is less. I have circled the Venus to spot. Everyone who was shown, was surprised to see and couldn’t believe it too.





Hello!
Here’s a report on the 17th TAS program in series and 1st program with orphanage.
Today we visited Mahipatram Rupram Ashram (Orphanage & school children) at Kagdapith police station, Ahmedabad.

As usual, we were accorded a warm welcome by the students and the authorities excitedly awaiting the program. Before starting the program we visited the complex where we saw, orphan babies in incubators, cradle, and in playing area. We were little upset to see the scenario.

The poster display was set up for the students to explore the mysteries of the solar system at their own pace. And we watched them peruse the information and discuss the same with their friends. Teachers took notes of poster detail too.

The program started with crescent Lunar observation. They were particularly amazed to see lava beds and craters. During the interactive session that followed, solar and lunar eclipse slide/s fascinated them all. Another wonderful thing that gave us tremendous satisfaction is that the teachers too got into the spirit of things and participated wholeheartedly in the question – answer sessions that interspersed the presentation! Especially, nearly all were noting everything that I was speaking. Questions like – ‘How big the Sun is and Why moon rises later than earlier day?’ created some interesting debates. Some exceptionally bright students like Vaishakhi Sadhu and Priyanka Leua answered my questions with amazing clarity and were awarded prizes at the end of the presentation. Both, the teachers and students, were especially keen to have us come again to give them a deeper understanding.

We acknowledge the gracious support of the following people in making this program a success: Shubhangbhai, Vijaybhai, Jigar Darji, Stephen Samuel and Urvi Vyas. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Mahipatram Rupram Ashram (Orphanage & School), Ahmedabad
2. Date : 30-01-2009
3. Time : 6:15 to 8:30 pm
4. Object observed :Moon
5. Participants : 119
6. Volunteers : 1
7. Photo : Urvi Vyas
8. Resource Persons : 2
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : Vaishakhi Sadhu, Devali Rathod, Priyanka Leua

Please find attached captioned photographs of the event.

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

29-01-2009, Program at Muni School - 2, Khokhra, Ahmedabad








Hello!
Here’s a report on the 16th TAS Program.
Today we visited the municipal school no. 2 at Khokra, Ahmedabad.

As usual, we were accorded a warm welcome by the students and the authorities excitedly awaiting the program. Here for a change, we were offered nice snacks and tea before the program. It was really different experience.

The poster display was set up for the students to explore the mysteries of the solar system at their own pace. And we watched them peruse the information and discuss the same with their friends. Today along with 7th standard students, there were students from 5th, 6th as well as 8th & 9th standards too.

The program started with observation of Venus. They were particularly amazed to see half phase of Venus. They thought it is Moon. But they started wondering, that though the phase of Moon looks crescent, how we can see half phase!! Factually, today Moon was in crescent phase and was just below Venus.

During the interactive session that followed, the slide/s of solar flare and aurora fascinated them all. Another wonderful thing that gave us tremendous satisfaction is that the teachers too got into the spirit of things and participated wholeheartedly in the question – answer sessions that interspersed the presentation!

Unfortunately due to electrical fault, we had to stop the program mid way and we couldn’t resume the program. On demand of teachers, we gave them post cards of solar system for the school. These post-cards are otherwise given to students as third prize.

We acknowledge the gracious support of the following people in making this program a success: Jigar Darji, Jigish Vyas & Stephen Samuel. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Muni School – 2, Khokhra, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 29-01-2009
3. Time : 6:30 to 8:00 pm
4. Object observed : Venus
5. Participants : 74
6. Volunteers : 0
7. Photo : Jigish Vyas
8. Resource Persons : 3
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : Couldn’t judge due to electricity problem.

Please find attached captioned photographs of the event.

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

28-01-2009, Program at Muni School - 6, Maninagar, Ahmedabad







Hello!

Here’s a report on the 15th TAS Program.

Today we visited the municipal school no. 6 at Maninagar, Ahmedabad.

As usual, we were accorded a warm welcome by the students and the authorities excitedly awaiting the program.

The poster display was set up for the students to explore the mysteries of the solar system at their own pace. And we watched them peruse the information and discuss the same with their friends.

The program started with observation of Venus. They were particularly amazed to see the half phase of Venus, as they thought its Moon. During the interactive session that followed, the Aurora Borealis slide fascinated them all. Another wonderful thing that gave us tremendous satisfaction is that the teachers too got into the spirit of things and participated wholeheartedly in the question – answer sessions that interspersed the presentation! Especially, about the first person to go to Space and Moon. Questions like – Do you know that “Sun has Corona around it?” created some interesting debates. Some exceptionally bright students like Kajal Gaikwad answered my questions with amazing clarity and was awarded prize at the end of the presentation. Both, the teachers and students, were especially keen to have us come again to give them a deeper understanding. We were given return gifts for the first time today.

We acknowledge the gracious support of the following people in making this program a success: Urvi Vyas, Jigar Darji, Ravi. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Muni School – 6, Maninagar, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 28-01-2009
3. Time : 6:30 to 8:20 pm
4. Object observed : Venus
5. Participants : 53
6. Volunteers : 1
7. Photo : Urvi Vyas
8. Resource Persons : 2
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : Kajal Gaikwad, Shubham Makwana, Heli Bhavsar

Please find attached captioned photographs of the event.
Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

26-01-2009 Program at Law Garden Road, Ahmedabad





















































































































































Hello,
The celebration of Republic day with "Aproch" - NGO working for street children, was great experience. More than 800 children visited and out of which nearly 250 actively participated in various Astronomical activities. Our nation's Moon Man Prof. Narendra Bhandari and Mayor of Ahmedabad city Mr. Kanaji Thakore, appreciated the effort. We thank all volunteers, resource persons, Prof. Bhandari, Kiran Sethi of Aproch, staff of J.G.International School (Host school) and of course "Udgam School for Children" for making this event a successful one. The attached photos are self explanatory.
Tanmaye Vyas.

Abstract till 26th January, 2009

Dear All,

Happy Republic Day. The celebration of IYA 2009 is in full swing. Since 1st January, we have crossed mark of 1500 participants. The abstract is as below.

Category wise participation:

Students : 1230
Parents : 154
Teachers : 84
Other : 111

Thanks to "Udgam School for Children", Volunteers and Resource Persons for their kind support.

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 93270 19254
+91 99798 61071