Pixel International Conferences

How do astronomical images work? Astronomical images (and, actually, all the digital images we are used to) are representation of reality mediated by an instrument that has its own characterisation (resolution, sensitivity, etc.). We developed a series of new creative and fun educational hands-on activities to play with children aimed at communicating the science of digital images and understanding concepts like image resolution in a multidisciplinary, participative environment. The educational activities we are proposing have a learning by doing approach and use favorite children’s toys (e.g. pegs and bricks) as a research tool in order to introduce forefront science concept in a playful and inclusive environment. The use of familiar objects and ludic equipment prevents gender barriers and encourages immediate commitment and engagement of all the participants.
The project we will present is carried out in the framework of Italian National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) SKA related projects (e.g. “SKA-Genesis”, “ESKApe-HI”, “FORECaST”). SKA (Square Kilometer Array) is one of the most ambitious international science projects and so we think that for astronomers it is of crucial importance to communicate its science, starting from the fundamentals. It’ll be the world’s biggest (radio) telescope and it’ll give us insight into the major open problems: formation and evolution of the first stars and galaxies, the role of magnetism, the nature of gravity, possibility of life beyond Earth.

Keywords: Astronomy, Image Resolution, Participation, Inclusiveness, Hands-on;

References:

[1] https://www.skatelescope.org/
[2] Dewey, J. “Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education”, New York, Macmillan, 1916.
[3] Piaget, J. “Construction of reality in the child” London, Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1957.
[4] Papert, S., “The Children's Machine. Rethinking School in the Age of the Computer”, New York, HarperCollins, 1993.
[5] Montessori, M., tr. by George, A.E., “The Montessori Method”, New York, Frederick A. Stokes Company, 1912.
[6] Gandini, L., "Fundamentals of the Reggio Emilia Approach to Early Childhood Education", Young Children 49, 1993.
[7] Moyles, J., “The Excellence of play”, Berkshire, Open University Press, 2010.
[8] Pinkham, A. M., Kaefer, T. & Neuman, S. B., “Knowledge Development in Early Childhood”, New York, Guilford Press, 2012.
[9] https://scratch.mit.edu/