URAKAWA Shohei4th year mechanical engineering studentFaculty of EngineeringSTUDENT FEATUREAstronomia LeaderTAMURA Sho4th year planetology studentFaculty of ScienceAstronomia PR13Astronomia is an astronomy group made up of student volunteers who plan and run astronomical observation events held at elementary schools to foster children’s awareness and interest in constellations and science as a whole. It was established in 2009 as part of ‘Kobe University Science Shop’, an initiative that aimed to support renewed interest in science among the community by providing a place for dialogue between local residents and scientic experts. The group’s activities were developed under its student leadership.We asked Astronomia’s leader URAKAWA Shohei and PR ocer TAMURA Sho about the appeal of giving children the opportunity to view stars through a telescope and the club’s activities during the pandemic. Holding astronomical observation events at elementary schoolsTell us about Astronomia’s activitiesUrakawa: We visit elementary schools and hold astronomical observations (viewing events) for the children.Tamura: At Kobe University, there is an Astronomy Society and there are also volunteer groups. Astronomia is like a combination of these two types of groups and its unique appeal is that it is easy for students to join whether they are majoring in elds related to the Sciences or the Humanities.So you are a volunteer group?Urakawa: That’s right. We visit elementary schools, show the children the stars through a telescope and teach the elementary school students about these celestial objects to foster their interest in science as a whole. However we are not overly conscious of the fact that we are volunteers.Do only students run the group’s activities?Giving children the opportunity to observe the stars Urakawa: Professor ITO Masayuki (Graduate School of Human Development and Environment) supports our group, however all our activity procedures are generally carried out by students- these include planning, making appointments with elementary schools, submitting and coordinating the event plans with school sta, and running the event on the day.Do you contact the elementary schools rst?Urakawa: There have been times when elementary schools have invited us and other times when we have contacted the schools with our plan rst. Most of our events are held at elementary schools near the university- we go to Tsurukabuto Elementary School every year. One of our former members is now an elementary school teacher, so we have been invited to that school too. Adapting events on the y depending on the weatherDo elementary school teachers object to their students gathering at night?Urakawa: This is the part that we discuss the most with teachers. We try not to hold the events too late- we start the viewing at 6pm and nish by 8pm at the latest. In summer, the sky is still light, so we try to organize events at times of the year when the stars can be seen well even during the evening. Our main event for elementary schools is a moon viewing party. In winter, we can oer them a more varied experience as we can also show them well-known constellations such as Orion and the Winter Triangle.Do the students’ guardians also come to the events?Urakawa: Yes. We tell the schools that children should attend the event with their guardian. The application form that the schools distribute before the event species this and the attendees’ names must be written down. We then make a register and check the attendance on the day. This procedure provides reassurance to the schools.How many people attend each event?Urakawa: Including the guardians, there are usually around 50 people. First of all, everyone gathers in the classroom and we teach the attendees about the constellations that we will be
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