Ø  6.45-9.15pm - main observation and group discussion session -1

·       Main observations to be covered during the session.

Topics to be discussed during observations and group discussion session -1

·      Special Observation session – The Planet Parade and the ecliptic (Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Moon align in a same line)

·       Observation of Venus

-          Detail Explanation of Venus

·       Observation of Venus

-          Detail Explanation of Jupiter and Jupiter moons

·       Observation of Mars

-          Detail Explanation of Mars

·       Discussion about Moon

-          What is moon

-          The origin of the moon

-          Composition of the moon

-          Atmosphere of the moon

-          Movements of the moon

-          Why we can observe only one side of the moon from earth

-          Main craters, basons and seas in the moon

-          Eclipse (moon and solar eclipse)

-          History of main space explorations to moon (part of rocketry history)

·       Discussion about Saturn

-          In detail explanation about Saturn and Saturn belts

-          Moons of Saturn (Titan)

·       Other General topics to be discussed during that session

-          How to prepare for sky observations

-          Scientific explanation about sky and practical idea about the sky

-          Relationship between age, color, & temperature of stars

-          Introduction and define constellations

-          Movements of the constellations, why the apparent the size and the shape of constellations not change and will it be change in future?

-          What is light year and Explain about how old the light of sky objects

-          Introduction to deep sky objects

-          Atmosphere of the Earth

-          Why are stars/ sky objects blinking.

-          Asteroids, Comets, Meteoroids, and Meteor showers.

·       Explain about Deep sky objects

-          What is meant by messier objects and Charles Messier

-          Star clusters – Observation of Pleads (M45)

-          Galaxies

•          Nebulas - Observation of Orion Nebula (M42)

Ø  9.15-10.00pm – Special session by Dr. Prasanna Deshapriya – Demonstration of the scale of the Solar System

Ø  10.00-10.45pm- Dinner

Ø  10.45-11.00pm – Reallocate into study groups for observation sessions and group discussions

(Main 6 study groups according to age of the students and allocate demonstrators from OAAA to each study group)

Ø  11.00pm -01.30am– Main observation and group discussion session -2 and

Telescope session

Topics to be discussed during observations and group discussion session -2

§  Sky map and Celestial Sphere

-          Introduction of Star Map

-          Practical use of star map

-          How to measure distance between stars using hand

-          Correct methods to differentiate planets from stars.

-          Life cycle of a star and explain about sun.

§  Constellation mapping – Ursa major

§  Telescope session - Hands-on skills of operating Optical Telescopes (45 minutes for each group)

Topics to be discussed.

-          Introduction of telescopes

-          History of telescopes

-          Functions of the telescopes

-          How to use telescopes

-          Difficulties when using ground telescopes.

-          How we can overcome those difficulties

-          Different types of telescopes

-          Practical use of telescopes (Align the telescope to moon or distant object)

Ø  01.30-01.45am – 15-minute interval (coffee break) and divide into Activity groups.

Make 8 groups by randomized grouping of students in all age groups (better to have performed randomized groups before starting the program)

Ø  1.45-3.00am – Group Activity 1

-      Astro puzzle (Scientific discussion based interactive group activity)

Ø  03.00-4.15 am- Main observation and group discussion session -3

Reallocate into study groups for observation sessions and group discussions (Main 6 study groups according to age of the students and allocate demonstrators from OAAA to each study group)

·       Main observations to be covered during this session.

·       Other general topics to be discussed during group discussion session - 3

-          Further explanation about deep sky objects

-          What is meant by messier objects and Charles Messier

-          Star clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas

-          Origin of life (brief explanation) - Main Conditions required to origin life as earth.

Ø  4.15-4.30am – 15-minute Interval

-          Come back to main hall

-          coffee break

-          water rocket videos

-          Reallocate into Activity groups (8 groups) for water Rocket activity

Ø  04.30-04.45am – Introduction to water rockets

-          Explain the physical theories (newton’s laws) behind the water rocket

-          Explain the specific parts of the water rocket related to the mechanism of rockets (Engine, fuel)

-          Give proper name for water rockets “Air driven Water Rocket”

Ø  04.45am-5.30 am – Group activity 3 (Part 1) – Making Water rocket

-          Make 1 or 2 water rockets from each group

-          To be conducted by Vihanga Devinda (Water rocket national winner, Galenbindunuwewa central college) under supervision of OAAA

Ø  05.30-6.00am – Group activity 3

-      Astro quiz (Final examination)

Ø  06.10-6.50am – Group Activity 2 (part 2)

-      Launching of Warter Rocket

Ø  06.50-7.15am – Group photo

Ø  07.15-7.45am – Special Session - Sun Observation

-      Observation of the Sun through Coronado Telescope

Ø  07.45-7.55am – Come Back to Hall/ Closing ceremony

Ø  07.55-08.15am - OAAA feedback and feedback from students, parents and teachers

Ø  8.15-9.00am – Prize giving and Closing ceremony

Important

§  Special Training session for Astronomy Olympiad

-          Conduct by - Eranga Jayashanta

-          After the opening lecture, a special group of students for Astronomy Olympiad training will be conducted as a separate program