Space Eco-literacy for SSA - A Case of People Science Movement in India
- Paper number
IAC-11,E1,4,4,x9617
- Author
Prof. Jagannatha Venkataramaiah, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India
- Coauthor
Ms. Sahana Jagannath, India
- Coauthor
Ms. Spandana J, Medical Sciences Student, India
- Coauthor
Ms. Sadhana J, Architecture Student, India
- Year
2011
- Abstract
What is the use of a beautiful house, if you do not have a decent planet to put in on ? Sir Henry David Thoreau. Space Situational Awareness(SSA) today is a historical necessity after the five decades of "dual use" of space technology among nations. Scientific Temperament and Social Commitment amongst Students & Public are two vital eyes of Popular Science Movement in India with over three decades.Southern Hemisphere Space program 2011 organized by International Space University at the University of South Australia, Adelaide Australia during Jan-Feb'11 with student and professional participants from nine countries created White Paper PATHWAYS TO PROGRESS which provides among other recommendations a bench mark for Space Education & Outreach. UNESCO/UNEP/IEEP 1977 Tbilisi conference provided the historical mandates for nations to embark on formal and informal environmental education.Objectives of Environmental Education for individuals and community as awareness, attitude, knowledge, skills and participation have lived through the Rio Earth Summit-1992 and committed for implementations of Agenda-21. While pro-active role of nations are vital to address and show case compliance to United Nations mandates use of peaceful use of outer space, public outreach activities need to be networked with various diversified activities aimed at eco-literacy and space literacy all over the world. National Council for Science & Technological under the Dept of Science & technology Govt of India networks hundreds of Non-Governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations all over the country. Year after year millions of students and teachers embark on scientific awareness programs. There is a huge qualitative and quantitative spin offs in the form of literature, activities and knowledge build up on Space activities at Student & general Public. Bharath Jana Vigyana Jatha 1987 culminated in Five Science Long Marches from five corners of the country. This could reach 100s of millions of people through unique out reach activities. Innumerable folk lore cultural and literary techniques were successfully deployed. The other unique national endeavor in popular science activities has been the Year of Scientific Awareness 2004. There are many vibrant outputs relevant to amateur astronomy, space awareness activities such as Sky Watching and telescope building. In this presentation, the genesis and process of People Science Movement in India with over 35 years is captured from the SSA point of view. An effort is made to develop models of Space outreach models relevant to individual and community level SSA.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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