Participants of GTTP2012, Kathmandu
The GTTP2012 Kathmandu was organized by Global Hands on Universe (GHOU)-Nepal, Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO) and Espro Foundation at Eureka High School, Kathmandu, Nepal on 31st March 2012.
NASO Vice President/GHOU Chair/GTTP Coordinator Mr Sudeep Neupane introducing GTTP during the event
33 Science Teachers and communicators from different part of Nepal participated in GTTP2012. There were two workshops, one plenary session, one invited lecture and one special talk organized during the program. An observation program was also organized in the evening.
Dr Rishi Shah (NASO President/Academician-NAST) presenting his talk on " Importance of Astronomy"
The program began with the welcome speech from Mr Prabodh Prabhakar Rijal (Director-Espro Foundation and principal- Eureka High School). GTTP Coordinator for Nepal, Chair for Global Hands on Universe (GHOU)-Nepal Chapter and Founder/Vice President of Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO), Mr. Sudeep Neupane introduced Galileo Teacher Training Program and its concept to the GTTP2012 participants.
Participants enjoyed the first special talk on “Importance of Astronomy” by Dr Rishi Shah, Academician- Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and Founder/President-Nepal Astronomical Society (NASO).
Participants intaracting with Dr Rishi Shah (NASO President/Academician-NAST)
The first workshop of the event was on “Developing Landscape of Solar System and Definition of Planet” designed by Mr Sudeep Neupane. Participants actively participated in the workshop and discussed on the IAU definition of planet in different groups. They prepared a three minute presentation and presented in a group. After the presentation from all groups, a press meet was organized where the participants who were nominated for the role of “IAU Board members for Planet definition” from each group, prepared a definition of planet and dwarfs. Interesting, they prepared the definition of planet in the favor of IAU and decided Pluto is no longer a planet but a dwarf.
Workshop1: Participants discussing on definition of Planet and preparing for a press meet
Workshop1: Group presentation by the participants
The invited speaker Prof Dr Binil Aryal from Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University gave his talk on “Why are the things the way they are?” All the participants enjoyed the talk and had a long interaction with Prof Aryal. His talk gave a brief introduction from origin of universe to the present status of the understanding of the universe.
Invited Speaker Dr Binil Aryal (Associate Professor- Tribhuvan University) presenting his talk
Mr Prabodh Prabhakar Rijal (principal-Eureka High School) addressing the meeting during the plenary session
There was a plenary session on “Dooms Day - end of the world 2012” which was chaired by Dr Rishi Shah and participated by Mr Prabodh Rijal and Mr Ritu Sapkota (N-PABSON). Participants were having interesting discussion in the session. The second workshop was dedicated to introduce astronomy freeware to the participants. Mr Subeg Man Bijuchhen presented the brief introduction to the free astronomy software. Participants also practiced some of the software programs (Stellarium, Cybersky, Night vision etc) during the workshop.
Workshop2: NASO founder member Mr Subeg Man Bijuchhen introducing astronomy softwares
Workshop2: Participants exercising the astronomy softwares
All the participants were given GTTP certificate of participation at the end of the program. An observation program was organized after the program; participants observed Moon, Venus, and Orion Nebula from 8” sky watcher (Owned by NASO) and recognized some constellations.
Certificate distribution
Observation program: Participants observed moon, planets and nebula through 8'' sky-watcher in the evening
More information about GHOU and GTTP: http://ghou-nepal.webs.com/
Direct comment: ghou.nepal AT gmail.com
