Educational programs
The educational program, as mentioned earlier, is tailored according to the age and culture of the visitors since the range of participants extends from preschool to university.
As for the activities dedicated to preschools, elementary, and middle schools, the visit's itinerary takes on different forms, depending on the available time and whether it is during the day or in the evening, and here are some examples.
Day visit
from around 9 to 12
This type of visit, which is the most common, includes:
(outdoor activities)
1. Welcome and brief history of the Observatory;
Indirect observation of the sun, where any solar spots may be exposed, the apparent movement of the star determined by the speed of the Earth's rotation in its daily evolution. The indication through a practical example of the danger (immediate blindness) of any observation of the Sun if it is made with improper instruments.;
2. Notes on ancient tools for analyzing and evaluating the passage of time
(indoor activities)
3. Observation of planetary models in proportional scale to the sun;
4. Visit to the museum containing the history of Astronomy, History of the Earth, Distances between the planets, and the Earth's rotation (Foucault Pendulum);
5. Journey among the stars of the celestial firmament through the planetarium;
6. Images and comments, questions and answers, in the classroom.
Note: outdoor activities are obviously dependent on weather conditions and, in the event that these are unfavorable, indoor activities will be expanded with content to be agreed upon with the teachers (e.g., various videos, virtual sky views, space travel, etc.).
Day visit
from around 9 to 16
(outdoor activities)
1. Welcome and brief history of the Observatory;
2. Flag Raising Ceremony;
3. Indirect observation of the sun, where any sunspots are displayed, the apparent movement of the star determined by the Earth's rotation speed in its daily evolution, … the indication through a practical example of the danger (immediate blindness) of any observation of the Sun if it is made with improper instruments;
4. Notes on ancient tools for analyzing and evaluating the passage of time (Sundials);
(indoor activities)
5. Observation of planetary models in proportional scale to the sun;
6. Visit to the museum containing the history of Astronomy, History of the Earth, Distances between the planets, and the Earth's rotation (Foucault Pendulum);
7. Journey among the stars of the celestial firmament through the planetarium;
8. Images and comments, questions and answers, in the classroom.
(outdoor activities)
9. Picnic with packed lunch;
10. Visit to the dome where the large telescope is located (only for older kids);
11. Planetary treasure hunt (two teams), created with simple rebuses, riddles, and the finding of planet models arranged in the order of the solar system up to the sun.
Note: regarding outdoor activities, the notes expressed previously apply, but the possibility of postponing the visit to more favorable times should also be considered, as the "Picnic" loses its charm if held indoors, where the spaces are more limited and the treasure hunt would be impossible to carry out.
Auxiliary activities
Space travel simulation
The association has been conducting a very special lesson for a couple of years titled: “VIRTUAL JOURNEY THROUGH THE SOLAR SYSTEM,” a presentation lasting 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the questions and requested topics (see, for example, the dark side of the Moon).
The completely dynamic journey, in other words at the choice of the children and/or the teachers, is carried out using appropriate tools such as PCs, projectors, or interactive whiteboards in sufficiently dark classrooms.
The lesson can be conducted before or after the visit to the observatory (preferably before), or close in time to the study of the topic during the school year.
The meeting can be held either at the schools or at the observatory (see economic note).
Sundials
Brand new initiative, dedicated to second grade children, where the study of sundials (this is their real name) is included in the school curriculum.
The lesson consists of accompanying the children to the local sundials, explaining their technical, historical, and moral content.
References
As mentioned earlier, the observatory is visited by various and numerous groups of educational institutions from Piedmont, particularly from the Pinerolo and Saluzzo areas, and with regard to primary and/or secondary schools, the following can be mentioned:
The kindergarten in Marene; the elementary and middle schools in Bibiana; Campiglione Fenile; Cercenasco; Vigone; Villar Pellice; Torre Pellice; Luserna alta and Luserna capoluogo: Pinerolo (Nino Costa); Bagnolo Piemonte; Bricherasio.