<p>Hubballi: An exclusive astronomy laboratory set up using scrap materials at St Antony’s Public School (SAPS) in Hubballi by science communicator Usha Kulkarni of Dharwad is not only sparking curiosity among students but also among science enthusiasts.</p><p>This astronomy lab is not limited only to exhibit the models. It also guides teachers and students in space exploration. A six-month certificate course in astronomy titled ‘Hands On, Minds On’ (Khagoladatta Kai Matthu Manassu) was organised for students at the lab recently. The Rohini Khagola Pathashala led by Usha and SAPS Astro Lab led by school chairman K A Prasad joined hands to make it a success.</p><p>As part of the course, students of Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 were taught various concepts like the earth’s rotation and revolution, the planetary system and axial tilts of planets, eclipses, seasons, galaxies, black holes, rockets and others. </p><p>The students also prepared various static and working models of GSLV/PSLV rockets, satellites, planets, phases of moon, pinhole projectors to view solar eclipses, portable sundials that indicate the time of the day based on the shadow of the sun and others using discarded materials like cardboards used in packaging, nails and papier mache.</p><p>“Astronomy is a fascinating branch of science and through the course and the lab, I want to introduce students of the twin cities to astronomy and create future space scientists,” says Usha who believes that it is curiosity and not just money that is needed to set up an astronomy laboratory.</p><p>Usha, a postgraduate in Mathematics, was drawn towards Calculus and its inventor, Sir Isaac Newton, while in college. Later, she worked as a science and mathematics teacher for many years. However, her curiosity for space science began much before that. She was in Class 9 when she went against her father’s wishes to watch a total solar eclipse traditionally associated with several myths.</p><p>Her passion towards space science grew when she was in her fifties. </p><p>Her association with the Regional Science Centre, Dharwad helped her nurture interest in space. She also approached the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru where experts conducted a few short-term courses for her.</p><p>Post-pandemic, SAPS vice-chairman Kiran Kosagi offered her a space to set up a lab for astronomy where she became a favourite of many young minds.</p><p>“Usha teacher taught us how to identify constellations, about earth, seasons, solar flare and many other exciting things about astronomy. We want to learn more about space technologies and become astronauts,” said students Nagapruthvi Kulkarni and Md Ismail.</p><p>Lamenting that not many students were coming forward to learn astronomy in the state due to the craze for professional courses, B S Shylaja, ex-director of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, says efforts like the one being made by Usha would draw more students towards the subject.</p><p>Taking this interest forward, Usha wants to develop an astronomy-related app with a focus on latitudes and longitudes of Hubballi and Dharwad, and digitalise the lab. She along with Kiran wants to set up a planetarium and reach students in villages through innovative programmes to inspire them to learn more about astronomy.</p>
<p>Hubballi: An exclusive astronomy laboratory set up using scrap materials at St Antony’s Public School (SAPS) in Hubballi by science communicator Usha Kulkarni of Dharwad is not only sparking curiosity among students but also among science enthusiasts.</p><p>This astronomy lab is not limited only to exhibit the models. It also guides teachers and students in space exploration. A six-month certificate course in astronomy titled ‘Hands On, Minds On’ (Khagoladatta Kai Matthu Manassu) was organised for students at the lab recently. The Rohini Khagola Pathashala led by Usha and SAPS Astro Lab led by school chairman K A Prasad joined hands to make it a success.</p><p>As part of the course, students of Grades 5, 6, 7 and 8 were taught various concepts like the earth’s rotation and revolution, the planetary system and axial tilts of planets, eclipses, seasons, galaxies, black holes, rockets and others. </p><p>The students also prepared various static and working models of GSLV/PSLV rockets, satellites, planets, phases of moon, pinhole projectors to view solar eclipses, portable sundials that indicate the time of the day based on the shadow of the sun and others using discarded materials like cardboards used in packaging, nails and papier mache.</p><p>“Astronomy is a fascinating branch of science and through the course and the lab, I want to introduce students of the twin cities to astronomy and create future space scientists,” says Usha who believes that it is curiosity and not just money that is needed to set up an astronomy laboratory.</p><p>Usha, a postgraduate in Mathematics, was drawn towards Calculus and its inventor, Sir Isaac Newton, while in college. Later, she worked as a science and mathematics teacher for many years. However, her curiosity for space science began much before that. She was in Class 9 when she went against her father’s wishes to watch a total solar eclipse traditionally associated with several myths.</p><p>Her passion towards space science grew when she was in her fifties. </p><p>Her association with the Regional Science Centre, Dharwad helped her nurture interest in space. She also approached the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru where experts conducted a few short-term courses for her.</p><p>Post-pandemic, SAPS vice-chairman Kiran Kosagi offered her a space to set up a lab for astronomy where she became a favourite of many young minds.</p><p>“Usha teacher taught us how to identify constellations, about earth, seasons, solar flare and many other exciting things about astronomy. We want to learn more about space technologies and become astronauts,” said students Nagapruthvi Kulkarni and Md Ismail.</p><p>Lamenting that not many students were coming forward to learn astronomy in the state due to the craze for professional courses, B S Shylaja, ex-director of Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bengaluru, says efforts like the one being made by Usha would draw more students towards the subject.</p><p>Taking this interest forward, Usha wants to develop an astronomy-related app with a focus on latitudes and longitudes of Hubballi and Dharwad, and digitalise the lab. She along with Kiran wants to set up a planetarium and reach students in villages through innovative programmes to inspire them to learn more about astronomy.</p>