Astrocamp next month
SkyXplore, a pioneering state-of-the-art science road show program in the country, announced a four-day Astrocamp “designed for kids to help them appreciate astronomy and space exploration.”
Former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, SkyXplore founder and chairman, said the camp will focus on education about the universe, giving students educational opportunities they cannot obtain in the general classroom setting.
“The camp is very special since it will have a dynamic hands-on coursework in astronomy, physical science, space exploration, stargazing, virtual space adventures, and a lot of games and other activities,” Prof. Edmundo Rosales, a prominent astronomer, said.
SkyXplore, whose website is www.skyxplore.com, said the camp, in partnership with the Diliman Preparatory School, will start on May 11 and includes a visit to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) where participants get a chance to view the skies through the 45-centimeter diameter telescope the agency uses for research. (Tristan F. Lozano)
SkyXplore, a pioneering state-of-the-art science road show program in the country, announced a four-day Astrocamp “designed for kids to help them appreciate astronomy and space exploration.”
Former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, SkyXplore founder and chairman, said the camp will focus on education about the universe, giving students educational opportunities they cannot obtain in the general classroom setting.
“The camp is very special since it will have a dynamic hands-on coursework in astronomy, physical science, space exploration, stargazing, virtual space adventures, and a lot of games and other activities,” Prof. Edmundo Rosales, a prominent astronomer, said.
SkyXplore, whose website is www.skyxplore.com, said the camp, in partnership with the Diliman Preparatory School, will start on May 11 and includes a visit to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) where participants get a chance to view the skies through the 45-centimeter diameter telescope the agency uses for research. (Tristan F. Lozano)
SKYXPLORE BRINGS DIGITAL PLANETARIUM TO 600 SCHOOLS
by Robbie Pangilinan, Malaya - Published JAN 31, 2011
Skyxplore, the first mobile digital planetarium in the country, has added two more domes to its existing two in hopes of visiting more than 600 schools this year. Just a year old in the country, Skyxplore has already made a big difference with its ingenious way of complementing learning about science and celestial objects inside the classroom. Instead of students visiting a planetarium, Skyxplore brings the only Digitalis space dome in the country today to the schools.
Students get to watch a simulated display of the day- and night-time sky and celestial objects, while school officials can stop worrying about the risks associated with off-site educational trips. With Skyxplore bringing the planetarium to the schools, officials are able to monitor their students’ activities, ensure the participation of more students, and maximize the time for each student to be educated through the interactive exhibit. Skyxplore’s Digital Planetarium System allows students to grasp abstract astronomical concepts by experiencing simulated space and time. It complements classroom learning and presents concepts better than traditional visual aids. Because it is “experiential,” students retain information for a longer time and are encouraged to ask questions and learn more.
Skyxplore has visited more than 150 schools in Luzon and aims to reach 600 more this year. “We shall make a great leap forward in 2011. Without doubt, we shall reach 600 schools this year with our existing facilities,” said Skyxplore chairman, former Senator Anna Dominique “Nikki” Coseteng.
The president of Diliman Preparatory School plans to go to schools in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, which is the main reason of the acquisition of two more domes.
Coseteng proudly says, “We want to raise the awareness, interest, knowledge and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public. Many students are not given the chance to go to a planetarium and experience the universe while on Earth, so we will bring the planetarium to them instead.” “This is in line with Skyxplore’s vision to be the number one in the field of astronomy and science in the country,” the pioneering school leader added. This vision started when the former senator established the Discover and Probe the Skies Foundation May last year to bring awareness of astronomy to Filipino primary and secondary level students. The innovative program features the country’s first two digital mobile planetariums that bring realistic simulated display of the skies, photo exhibits of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), film showing of outer space missions as well as authentic meteorite collections. All these are in conjunction with lectures that bring learning astronomy to another level as real scientists accompany the road-show. An ask-all, tell-all program, conducted by Skyxplore’s astronomers, gives students the chance to satisfy their curiosity and add to their fascination of the universe.
This year, Skyxplore will also publish its official newsletter dedicated to learning astronomy and celestial objects alongside the launch of a membership club that will give students exclusive information, events, freebies and discounts.
For more information, log on to Skyxplore’s Astronomy Awareness Program at http://www.facebook.com/skyxplore. Schools may learn how Skyxplore can enrich their science program by logging on to www.skyxplore.com or calling (02) 9310731 or (0916)4806646 and asking for Pickard Balajadia
SKYXPLORE revisits Negros
BY ROBBIE PANGILINAN
More than 5,000 participants had a once-in-a-lifetime experience of exploring the skies as the SKYXPLORE revisited Negros from recently.
SKYXPLORE is an astronomy outreach program spearheaded by Diliman Preparatory School’s (DPS) Astronomy Center with a complete resource for astronomy education in the Philippines.
Over 2,000 preschool to college students were amazed as they "travelled through space" in the Digital Planetarium Dome set up at the University of St. La Salle Integrated School Covered Court in Bacolod City.
Though the weather was not favorable during some nights, the students enjoyed the star gazing activity on the last day of the event.
Students from Sagay National High School and walk-in participants were overwhelmed and amazed with their Digital Planetarium Dome experience. The Junior Astronomers also answered the students’ questions about the deep space and celestial bodies in the "Ask An Astronomer" activity.
Another set of preschool to college students enjoyed their Skyxplore experience in Colegio San Agustin in Bacolod, particularly when they were able to hold real meteorites of different classifications in the SKYXPLORE Exhibit.
SKYXPLORE’s last stop was Hinigaran City on the southern part of Negros Occidental. Over a thousand students from Hinigaran Insitute, as well as walk-in participants were mesmerized by the beauty of Saturn, Jupiter and the moon as they gazed through the reflecting telescope as part of the Star Gazing activity.
SKYXPLORE brings the Stargazer, a high-powered telescope and the Philippines’ first ever and only 7-meter diameter digital mobile planetarium to Philippine schools in support for astronomy education and research in the country.
Activities include viewing the digital planetarium, a simulated display of the day- and night-time sky and celestial objects; film showing of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Official Movie, The Eyes on the Skies; an astronomical exhibit that showcases NASA space photos and a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against a night-time backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events; a meteorite exhibit; and the Ask-An-Astronomer Activity.
Former senator and DPS president Nikki Coseteng wants to raise the awareness, interest, knowledge and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public, so she founded this program that goes to different schools nationwide.
"Many students are not given the chance to go to a planetarium and experience the universe while on Earth, so we will bring the planetarium to them instead,"
by Robbie Pangilinan, Malaya - Published JAN 31, 2011
Skyxplore, the first mobile digital planetarium in the country, has added two more domes to its existing two in hopes of visiting more than 600 schools this year. Just a year old in the country, Skyxplore has already made a big difference with its ingenious way of complementing learning about science and celestial objects inside the classroom. Instead of students visiting a planetarium, Skyxplore brings the only Digitalis space dome in the country today to the schools.
Students get to watch a simulated display of the day- and night-time sky and celestial objects, while school officials can stop worrying about the risks associated with off-site educational trips. With Skyxplore bringing the planetarium to the schools, officials are able to monitor their students’ activities, ensure the participation of more students, and maximize the time for each student to be educated through the interactive exhibit. Skyxplore’s Digital Planetarium System allows students to grasp abstract astronomical concepts by experiencing simulated space and time. It complements classroom learning and presents concepts better than traditional visual aids. Because it is “experiential,” students retain information for a longer time and are encouraged to ask questions and learn more.
Skyxplore has visited more than 150 schools in Luzon and aims to reach 600 more this year. “We shall make a great leap forward in 2011. Without doubt, we shall reach 600 schools this year with our existing facilities,” said Skyxplore chairman, former Senator Anna Dominique “Nikki” Coseteng.
The president of Diliman Preparatory School plans to go to schools in the Visayas and Mindanao regions, which is the main reason of the acquisition of two more domes.
Coseteng proudly says, “We want to raise the awareness, interest, knowledge and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public. Many students are not given the chance to go to a planetarium and experience the universe while on Earth, so we will bring the planetarium to them instead.” “This is in line with Skyxplore’s vision to be the number one in the field of astronomy and science in the country,” the pioneering school leader added. This vision started when the former senator established the Discover and Probe the Skies Foundation May last year to bring awareness of astronomy to Filipino primary and secondary level students. The innovative program features the country’s first two digital mobile planetariums that bring realistic simulated display of the skies, photo exhibits of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), film showing of outer space missions as well as authentic meteorite collections. All these are in conjunction with lectures that bring learning astronomy to another level as real scientists accompany the road-show. An ask-all, tell-all program, conducted by Skyxplore’s astronomers, gives students the chance to satisfy their curiosity and add to their fascination of the universe.
This year, Skyxplore will also publish its official newsletter dedicated to learning astronomy and celestial objects alongside the launch of a membership club that will give students exclusive information, events, freebies and discounts.
For more information, log on to Skyxplore’s Astronomy Awareness Program at http://www.facebook.com/skyxplore. Schools may learn how Skyxplore can enrich their science program by logging on to www.skyxplore.com or calling (02) 9310731 or (0916)4806646 and asking for Pickard Balajadia
SKYXPLORE revisits Negros
BY ROBBIE PANGILINAN
More than 5,000 participants had a once-in-a-lifetime experience of exploring the skies as the SKYXPLORE revisited Negros from recently.
SKYXPLORE is an astronomy outreach program spearheaded by Diliman Preparatory School’s (DPS) Astronomy Center with a complete resource for astronomy education in the Philippines.
Over 2,000 preschool to college students were amazed as they "travelled through space" in the Digital Planetarium Dome set up at the University of St. La Salle Integrated School Covered Court in Bacolod City.
Though the weather was not favorable during some nights, the students enjoyed the star gazing activity on the last day of the event.
Students from Sagay National High School and walk-in participants were overwhelmed and amazed with their Digital Planetarium Dome experience. The Junior Astronomers also answered the students’ questions about the deep space and celestial bodies in the "Ask An Astronomer" activity.
Another set of preschool to college students enjoyed their Skyxplore experience in Colegio San Agustin in Bacolod, particularly when they were able to hold real meteorites of different classifications in the SKYXPLORE Exhibit.
SKYXPLORE’s last stop was Hinigaran City on the southern part of Negros Occidental. Over a thousand students from Hinigaran Insitute, as well as walk-in participants were mesmerized by the beauty of Saturn, Jupiter and the moon as they gazed through the reflecting telescope as part of the Star Gazing activity.
SKYXPLORE brings the Stargazer, a high-powered telescope and the Philippines’ first ever and only 7-meter diameter digital mobile planetarium to Philippine schools in support for astronomy education and research in the country.
Activities include viewing the digital planetarium, a simulated display of the day- and night-time sky and celestial objects; film showing of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Official Movie, The Eyes on the Skies; an astronomical exhibit that showcases NASA space photos and a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against a night-time backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events; a meteorite exhibit; and the Ask-An-Astronomer Activity.
Former senator and DPS president Nikki Coseteng wants to raise the awareness, interest, knowledge and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public, so she founded this program that goes to different schools nationwide.
"Many students are not given the chance to go to a planetarium and experience the universe while on Earth, so we will bring the planetarium to them instead,"
Visayas explores the skies
(The Philippine Star) Updated March 10, 2011 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Thousands of students from schools in the Visayas region explored the skies through the Skyxplore, an astronomy outreach program spearheaded by Diliman Preparatory School’s (DPS) Astronomy Center, a complete resource for astronomy education in the Philippines.
Former senator and DPS president Nikki Coseteng wants to raise the awareness, interest, knowledge and understanding of astronomy among students and the general public, so she founded this program that goes to different schools nationwide.
“Many students are not given the chance to go to a planetarium and experience the universe while on Earth, so we will bring the planetarium to them instead,” Coseteng said.
In Bacolod City, more than 2,000 students from La Consolacion experienced Skyxplore activities on Feb. 1 and 2. The following day, the program went to the Negros Mission Academy where 900 more students and faculty members were amazed with their experience at the Planetarium Space Dome and film showing.
Another 800 students and teachers in Bacolod Christian College enjoyed Skyxplore activities, especially the “Ask an Astronomer” where a team of astronomers from the University of the Philippines answered their questions.
Skyxplore brings the Stargazer, a high-powered telescope and the Philippines’ first ever and only seven-meter diameter digital mobile planetarium to Philippine schools in support for astronomy education and research in the country.
Activities include viewing the digital planetarium, a simulated display of the day- and night-time sky and celestial objects; film showing of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Official Movie, The Eyes on the Skies; an astronomical exhibit that showcases NASA space photos and a collection of stunning photographs and time-lapse videos of the world’s most beautiful and historic sites against a night-time backdrop of stars, planets and celestial events; a meteorite exhibit; and the Ask-An-Astronomer Activity.
The program has also visited the University of St. La Salle Feb. 28-March 4, Sagay National High School with 2,000 students on March 5 to 6; Colegio San Agustin Bacolod with 3,000 students on March 7 to 9; and is now (March 10-12) in Hinigaran National High School with 2,000 participants.
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Study science to help address climate change
By Celso Amo (The Philippine Star) Updated September 02, 2010 12:00 AM
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — Albay Governor Joey Salceda urged high school students to take up science to play a bigger role in helping solve climate change as well as make the country prosperous.
“We need science for development and we want to be competitive and I think the language of being competitive is in science and technology,” Salceda said during the NASA Science Caravan dubbed “Reaching for your Stars” through the cooperation of Aquinas University of Legazpi, SkyExplore, the United States International Aid (USAID), NASA and the Albay Provincial Government.
Salceda used Israel as an example of a country which lack mineral resources and despite being surrounded by inimical Arab countries is one of the eight richest countries in the world because Iaraelis used science and technology to be competitive and to survive.
“Knowledge is the foundation of competitiveness and and I believe knowledge will set us free.”
Fr. Ramoncito Mendez of the Order of Preachers, OP, rector and president of Aquinas University, who recalled that a the age of three he was fascinated by the moon and seek stars as well.
“So today we are very lucky because through the various activities we can dream again and even wonder at the beautiful stars that we have in the heavens,” said Mendez, adding that “we need to translate knowledge to wisdom so it will be of service to life. We don’t just need knowledge that we memorize but knowledge that will help us in our lives.”
Mendez hopes that ordinary people can also learn about science because most of the time in the academe science in a technical language which ordinary people cannot understand.
“That’s why we have this kind of gathering so that we will be able to share whatever knowledge we have to our people, to our community and in that way we will be able to see the stars together and wonder at the beautiful gift God gave to us.”
Aside from the workshop, Edmund Rosales, head of SkyXplore invited the students to view the planets and stars inside the first digital planetarium in the country. Rosales is an astronomer and science education specialist.
Students were silent as they watched astronauts walk in space harnessed to a space shuttle and shouted in awe as they saw Saturn over the dome’s screen.
