Objectives
The goal of this project is to take Astronomy, Astrophysics and Space Science to the youngest, stimulating the interest of young people and adults in scientific issues and promoting astronomy literacy through sessions focussed on entertainment, education and sharing as a family. It also seeks to motivate young people to choose scientific careers in the areas of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
Reach
Since the first edition of the IAstro Júnior in 2016, a total of about 2000 people from the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto participated in the sessions. So far, 27 IA researchers have been involved.
The partnership with Visão Júnior extended the range of this initiative to the magazine’s 81,000 readers in 17 countries and 4 continents.
The sessions were publicised in Visão Júnior, and on the websites of the IA, Visão Júnior magazine, Science Faculties of the Universities of Lisbon and Porto, Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre and Portuguese Society of Astronomy.
This project was also mentioned in the Outreach Newsletter of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Astronomy Outreach Newsletter.
IAstro Júnior is a joint initiative run by the Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço (IA) and the young people’s magazine, Visão Júnior, in partnership with the Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre and the Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre. The project is made up of several sessions, held in Lisbon and Porto, aimed particularly at 7 to 12 year olds; and will present themes dealing with Space and the Universe.
In each session, 3 IA researchers share their fascination for Astronomy and Astrophysics in 3 short, simple and interactive talks. At the end of each talk, there is a question and answer session. Participants may also leave questions that are subsequently answered by IA researchers and published in the Visão Júnior magazine or its website.
In 2019, we are celebrating our third edition, under the motto “Adventures in Space” with the four following sessions:
An Adventure on Another Planet – 16th March, 6 pm
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Lisbon
An Adventure Searching for Aliens – 4th May, 5:30 pm
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Porto
An Adventure in a Black Hole – 14th September, 6 pm
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Lisbon
An Adventure at the Speed of Light – 16th November, 5:30 pm
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Porto
In 2018, the project had “Mysteries of the Universe” as its motto, and four sessions were held:
Mysteries of the Sun and Other Stars – 17th February, 6 pm
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Porto
Mysteries of the Galaxies – 17th March, 5:30 pm
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Lisbon
Mysteries of Planetary Systems – 14th April, 6 pm
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Porto
Mysteries of Black Holes – 16th June, 5:30 pm
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Lisbon
In 2016/2017, the project had “Let’s discover Space!” as its motto, and the four following sessions were held:
The Milky Way and other Galaxies – 19th November 2016, 6 pm
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Lisbon
The Planet Hunters – 25th February 2017, 6 pm
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Porto
Cosmology, but now in Comics – 1st April 2017, 6 pm
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Lisbon
The Life of Stars – 24th June 2017, 6 pm
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre, Porto
The magazine Visão Júnior takes the IAstro Júnior initiative to all its readers, through the publication of the answers to the questions left by the participants at the end of each session and of various items and reports.
Share
Scope:
National
Coordination:
1st Edition:
Ana Alves (Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço)
Rita Xarepe (Visão Júnior magazine)
2nd Edition:
Ana Alves (Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço)
Cláudia Lobo (Visão Júnior magazine)
3rd Edition:
Catarina Leote (Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciências do Espaço)
Cláudia Lobo (Visão Júnior magazine)
Partners:
Visão Júnior magazine
Porto Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre
Calouste Gulbenkian Planetarium – Ciência Viva Centre
Media Partner: Miúdos Radio
Funding:
Instituto de Astrofísica e Ciência do Espaço
