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Khagolshala

place India

Astronomy and Space Education Labs for the Unprivileged Youth.

Khagolshalas: Astronomy and Space Education Labs in collaboration with Principal Scientific Adviser to Government of India in 20 Govt. aided schools Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, with the vision of empowering youth with tools and technology to become scientists and astronomers. An initiative focused on inspiring grassroots through Astronomy, Space Education and Hands-On Experimentation.

Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Updated February 2025
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Students basic
Target group
Scientific Temper: Encouraging a scientific approach to problem-solving and decision-making. Skill Development: Enhancing computational thinking and problem-solving abilities. Career Opportunities: Inspiring young people to pursue careers in STEM fields, particularly astronomy and astrophysics. Global Citizenship: Fostering a sense of global citizenship and international collaboration.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

To address the gap in the introduction of Space Science and Astronomy research to the school students who lack the basics tools and equipment that are instrumental in developing scientific temper among the youth.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

Endorsement from Prof. VijayRaghavan (Principal Scientific Advisor Govt. of India) pointed out that this is an extraordinarily exciting phase that combines astronomy, observational astronomy across the spectrum, astrophysics, and big missions such as the laser interferometry gravitational Observatory (LIGO). Exciting discoveries are validating theories or testing their boundaries. One of the most exciting times for us as scientists, as citizens, all the changes which are happening combined with this is culminating in the collection of extraordinary volumes of data, their interpretation, and decision making. The accumulation and analysis of big data combined with the traditional excitement which astronomy provides are both now in theory, accessible to students across the world. Khagolshala is one venture which makes that access into reality and we all must congratulate everyone here at the space foundation and the Government of India for taking this forward.

How has it been spreading?

As of today, Khagolshalas have contributed to the discovery of more than 7203 asteroids. The last one was HLV2514 by Vaidehi Vekariya and Radhika Lakhani from Surat. Khagolshala Asteroids Search Campaign (KASC) is the India chapter of an international student research program that has got students involved in the search for asteroids. High-quality astronomical data sets are distributed to students for analysis and identification of asteroids. Students analyze the data using software which then leads to potential discoveries. These observations feed into the Near Earth Object (NEO) data being compiled by NASA and the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL).

If I want to try it, what should I do?

We have adopted 20 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya of Govt. of India and established Khagolshalas across India. It is open to the community for collaboration and contribution.

Implementation steps

Step 1: Understanding the Program
- Learn about the objectives and impact of Khagolshala Labs.
- Explore how space education fosters STEM learning and scientific temperament.
- Identify key stakeholders (school management, faculty, students, and community partners).
Step 2: Collaborating with the Right Partners
- Partner with SPACE Foundation and any sponsor for the project.
- Seek guidance from a dedicated expert team of Space Education Foundation and local scientific organizations.
- Connect with existing Khagolshala Labs for best practices and mentorship.
Step 3: Securing Resources and Infrastructure
Allocate a dedicated space for the lab with proper safety measures.
Procure essential astronomy equipment such as:
- Telescopes and other instruments
- Cameras and Astrophotography Tools
- Rocket launchers and rovers for experiments
- Software tools for data analysis
- Thematic Ambience and Exhibits
- Self-learning and hands-on models
- Furniture and Storage
Step 4: Training Educators
- Enroll science and mathematics teachers in the specialized training programs.
- Nomiate teachers for workshops and certifications in space science education methodologies.
- Facilitate hands-on learning experiences through interactive simulations and experiments.
Step 5: Launching the Lab and Curriculum Integration
Develop a structured learning plan integrating astronomy and space exploration into the school curriculum. Implement engaging programs such as:
- Asteroid Search Campaigns with real-time data analysis
- Citizen Science Projects contributing to global research
- Project Paridhi for Earth measurement using shadow experiments
- Organize guest lectures, star-gazing nights, and space-themed competitions.
Step 6: Curriculum Fitment by Age Group
Primary School (Grades 1-5, Ages 6-10):
Basic astronomy concepts (day/night cycle, solar system, phases of the Moon)
Storytelling sessions on space missions and astronauts
Middle School (Grades 6-8, Ages 11-13):
Introduction to telescopes and celestial object tracking
Space model making (solar system, rockets, satellites)
High School (Grades 9-12, Ages 14-18):
Advanced topics like exoplanets, black holes, and cosmology
Astrophotography, spectroscopy, and real-world data analysis
Step 7: Public and Community Engagement
Outreach Events:
- Annual astronomy fairs and science exhibitions
- Open-house sessions for parents and local communities
- Collaboration with universities and research organizations
Citizen Science Programs:
- Public telescope observation nights
- Meteor shower and eclipse watching events
- Participation in global data collection for space missions
Step 8: Monitoring and Expanding the Program
- Setup and implement LMS for learning and assessment frameworks to measure student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Document progress through reports, case studies, and student testimonials.
- Expand lab facilities with advanced tools like satellite model kits, robotics, and AI-based analytics.
- Partner with local and global institutions to enhance research opportunities.