Prog : 55, 12-05-2009,

Questions at the exit time!

Prayer time.

Hello!

Here’s a report on the 55th TAS Municipal School Program.

Today we visited the municipal school no. 2 at Naranpura, Ahmedabad. This school is adopted by “Samvedna NGO” for better education of under privileged students.

As usual, we were accorded a warm welcome by the students and the authorities excitedly awaiting the program. All the students prayed before they entered the class.

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 interactive session. Nearly all the slides fascinated them all. Questions like – How can a flag remain horizontal without air, what are sun spots, etc’ created some interesting debates. Some exceptionally bright students answered my questions with amazing clarity. Due to lack of time, we couldn’t conduct question-answer session. Both, the teachers and students, were especially keen to have us come again to give them a deeper understanding. Students gathered at the end asked many questions.

We acknowledge the gracious support of the following people in making this program a success: Jigar Darji for photo documentation & set up and Ravi Gamit for assistance. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Gandhinagar Municipal School-2, Naranpura, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 12-05-2009
3. Time : 8:30 to 9:30 am
4. Object observed : None
5. Participants : 52
6. Volunteers : 0
7. Photo : Jigar Darji
8. Resource Persons : 2

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

Prog : 54, 11-05-2009 at Girls Polytechnic, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad

Enjoying poster detail.

Hello!

Here’s a report on the 54th TAS Program.

Today we visited Girls Polytechnic, Ahmedabad. We were special called to deliver lecture for students studying in EC (Electronics & Communication). They wanted to understand secrets of our solar system and also they wanted some guidance for making career in Astronomy.

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

The poster display was set up on the floor for the students to explore the mysteries of the solar system at their own pace. This time we also displayed posters used during 100 HA. And we watched them peruse the information and discuss the same with their friends. All of them, wrote nearly every bit of information mentioned in the posters.

The program started with interactive session. The session started with Milkyway information and ended up with Earth. Since they were all Diploma Engineering students, they interacted at nearly every slides with their study point of view. 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 session! Questions like – temperature of sun’s core, different types of radiations from sun, beautiful aurora’s formation, etc’ created some interesting debates.

At the end we displayed all the planetary posters on the table. Few of them noted some information from posters. They also offered cold drink at the end, in the piercing heat of 42 degree centigrade.

Both, the teachers and students, were especially keen to start their own astronomy club with our help. It was really good news. We guided them in depth and promised to visit again with more facts and fun.

We acknowledge the gracious support of the following people in making this program a success: Mrs. Monali – a faculty at college, Jigar Darji for set up and photo documentation. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Girls Polytechnic, Opp. Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 11-05-2009
3. Time : 3:30 to 5:00 pm
4. Object observed : None
5. Participants : 37
6. Volunteers : 0
7. Photo : Jigar Darji
8. Resource Persons : 1
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) :

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

Prog : 53, 02-05-2009 "Astronomy Day" celebration at Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Center, University area

Hello,

Here's a report on 53rd TAS program.

Wish you all a Happy Astronomy Day. Today we celebrated Astronomy Day with students of 10-15 years of age group along with their parents at Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Center (CSC), Opp. University building, Ahmedabad.

CSC arranged a week long session for astronomy enthusiast students. They were given hands on experience by different practicals & theories during the week. We were called to throw light on title "Exploring Solar System". The session was very interesting due to presence of parents. They also participated in interaction with joy with their kids.

The journey couldn't complete from Sun to Plutoid, instead all insisted to explain more about Sun-Earth-Moon system. We made them understand from Geography to Astronomy.

Summary :

1.Venue : Community Science Center, University, Ahmedabad

2.Date : 02-05-2009

3.Time : 4:00 - 5:40 pm

4.Session : Exploring solar system

5.Participants : 40

6.Volunteers : Jigar Darji

7.Photos : Jigar Darji

8.Resource : 0

9.Winners : All were given Saturn bookmark.

Tanmaye Vyas

+919327019254

+919979861071

Prog : 52, 20-04-2009 at Manav Sadhana, Old Vadaj, Ahmedabad

Satisfying heavenly curiosity!

Yes, the Saturn is up there.

Proud winners!

Some lighter moments during interactive session!

All wanted to write every bit of information!

Hello!

Here’s a report on the 52nd TAS Program.

Today we visited NGO called Manav Sadhna & St. Mary Mercy Community center at Old Vadaj, Ahmedabad.

The center is very beautifully architecture in a middle of very poor community area. The center has many facilities like computer room, playground, toddler room, small prayer room, gym, study & reading room, kitchen, etc.

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

The poster display was set up on the floor for the students to explore the mysteries of the solar system at their own pace. This time we also displayed posters used during 100 HA. And we watched them peruse the information and discuss the same with their friends. All of them, wrote nearly every bit of information mentioned in the posters.

The program started with interactive session without projector (the projector has some fault). The session started with Milky way information and ended up with Pluto. 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 session! Questions like – biggest & smallest planets, comparison of earth with sun or Jupiter, etc’ created some interesting debates. Some exceptionally bright students answered my questions with amazing clarity and were awarded prizes at the end of the presentation.

Now it was time for observation. Today they enjoyed mysterious and beautiful Saturn through 8” SCT. They were really amazed to see the edge on position of the rings. Many of them saw Saturn twice and thrice to quench their knowledge thirst.

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: Jagatbhai of Manav Sadhana NGO, Jigar Darji & Ravi Gamit for set up and photo documentation. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Manav Sadhana, Old Vadaj, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 20-04-2009
3. Time : 7:00 to 9:30 pm
4. Object observed : Saturn
5. Participants : 43
6. Volunteers : 0
7. Photo : Jigar Darji & Ravi Gamit
8. Resource Persons : 2
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : Reshma Vaghela, Kinjal Paraghi, Rekha Makawana

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

Prog : 51, 18-04-2009, Municipal school, Sarkari Vasahat, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad

Hello!

Here’s a report on the 51st TAS Municipal School Program.

Today we visited the municipal school at Sarkari Vasahat, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. This school is adopted by Lions Club of Ahmedabad Greater as Permanent Service Center. Under this banner, they have invited NGO called “Samvedana” to take up the educational challenge of the students.

Today we were called in the morning hours for multi-media presentation of the Solar system. 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 interactive session. The Solar flare, phases of Venus, Aurora Borealis, etc. slides fascinated them all. Another wonderful thing that gave us tremendous satisfaction is that the teachers as well as organizers too got into the spirit of things and participated wholeheartedly in the question – answer sessions that interspersed the presentation! Both, the teachers and students, were especially keen to have us come again to give them a deeper understanding. During the session we distributed Moon cards to all those bright students who spontaneously answered some questions correctly.

One student from UK and two from Germany – studying history were present too. Even though the session was in local language (Gurarati), they praised the presentation. As a memento, students gave us nice ornamental plant in decorative pot.

We acknowledge the gracious support of the following people in making this program a success: Jankiben Vasant - Founder of Samvedana NGO, Committee of Lions Club of Ahmedabad Greater, Jigar Darji & Ravi Gamit for nice setup. We thank them all for their interest.

Summary:
1. Venue : Municipal School, Sarkari Vasahat, Vastrapur, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 18-04-2009
3. Time : 9:10 to 10:30 am
4. Object observed : -
5. Participants : 58
6. Volunteers : 0
7. Photo : Jigar Darji
8. Resource Persons : 2
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : None

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

Prog : 50, 11-04-2009, Gotri, Baroda

Interactive with kids.

Practicing before turn.

Dear all,

The 50th show of "Tanmaye's Amazing Space" was conducted at Baroda. Nearly 70 children gathered at one bunglow at Gotri area, outskirt of city Baroda. All eagerly awaited for the session since many days.

Though they were between 10-13 years old, they answered many questions with much clarity. All amazed to see Saturn with edge on rings and the Moon with many many craters. Few of them declared that they would be visiting moon in future and all applauded for their determination. During naked eye observation, all were keen to see their zodiac sign. Parents also joined star party.

Summary:
1. Venue : Gotri, Baroda.
2. Date : 11-04-2009
3. Time : 7:40 to 9:40 pm
4. Object observed : Saturn & Moon
5. Participants : 85
6. Volunteers : 1
7. Photo : Urvi Vyas
8. Resource Persons : 0
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : All were given Moon card and 100 HA lapels.

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071

Prog : 49, 09-04-2009, Radio Mirchi, Vejalpur, Ahmedabad

'Radio Mirchi' group who enjoyed the night sky for the first time.

Dear All,

In response to the unmatchable support during "100 HA" from 2-5 April 2009, we wanted to share secrets of the Solar system to all interested, working at Radio Mirchi.

We approached the program coordinator with an idea of announcing Astronomy Facts nearly ten times a day during 2-5 April. Along with this, we also asked to promote astronomy by asking astronomy related quiz and for winners, we offered special astronomy kits. The idea clicked and astronomy was on air for all 100 Hours of Astronomy!!!

During the multi-media session, all interacted in depth and had nice debates over few issues like ' How deep Sunspots are, how can a flag wave on lunar surface without atmosphere, etc'. The naked eye observation started with Sirius, Taurus, Orion, Leo and then Saturn through 8" telescope. They were all amazed to see bar like rings and then lastly all enjoyed crates and maria on the moon.

We distributed 100HA lapels to all along with Saturn bookmark.

We sincerely thanks Jigneshbhai and all radio jockeys for kind support, Ravi Gamit for single handed arrangement with photo documentation.

Summary:
1. Venue : Radio Mirchi, Vejalpur, Ahmedabad
2. Date : 09-04-2009
3. Time : 7:20 to 9:10 pm
4. Object observed : Saturn, Moon and other constellation
5. Participants : 21
6. Volunteers : 0
7. Photo : Ravi Gamit
8. Resource Persons : 1
9. Winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : No competition at station, but Radio quiz winners are mentioned in previous blogs.

Tanmaye Vyas
+91 9327019254
+91 9979861071