Two First Nations astronomers are working to show Indigenous children they can pursue their astronomy dreams through an Australian National University program.<\/p>\n
The ANU last week hosted a week-long program with Indigenous high school students from remote regional NSW and Tasmania to give them first-hand experience of Indigenous astronomy.<\/p>\n
Hosted at the Mt Stromlo Observatory in Canberra, the program provided year 10 and 11 students with a chance to work with ANU masters students, Gamilaraay-Yuwaalaraay man Peter Swanton and Gamilaroi astronomer and science communicator Karlie Moon.<\/p>\n
Being mentored by professional astronomers, students built smart phone devices to measure the chemical make-up of light and undertook remote observation at Siding Spring Observatory.<\/p>\n
Weaved through the program was an exploration of Indigenous interpretations of the night sky to inform navigation, calendars, and predicting the weather.<\/p>\n
ASTRO 3D education and outreach manager Delese Brewster was designed to inspire the next-generation of First Nation astronomers, researchers and scientists.<\/p>\n
This group is under-represented in astronomy and we need to provide a pipeline that will encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into tertiary study, she said.<\/p>\n
Mr Swanton said the program improved visibility for Indigenous children interested in the field.<\/p>\n
I never had this when I was going through school, he said.<\/p>\n
It felt quite disengaging when I went to high school, as I had no role models.<\/p>\n
I never had someone in front of me, that looked like me, that talked like me<\/p>\n
Mr Swanton said he enjoyed seeing children take part in the program.<\/p>\n
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Indigenous astronomers helping next-gen First Nations scientists reach for the stars - National Indigenous Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Two First Nations astronomers are working to show Indigenous children they can pursue their astronomy dreams through an Australian National University program. The ANU last week hosted a week-long program with Indigenous high school students from remote regional NSW and Tasmania to give them first-hand experience of Indigenous astronomy Continue reading