Is the Stardust Project actually for us?

pinak_samal · Post by **pinak_samal** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:38 am

well,it is really strange,but not a lot of students take any initiative in projects such as Stardust,especially in India....Can there be any way by which today's younger generation can benefit from great projects such as Stardust?

sb126k · Post by **sb126k** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 8:44 am

I'll tell you right now, I'm an exception to your rule, as I started with this project when I was in high school, and have continued with it in college. But I understand the point you make, and I think that a lot of children have a natural wonder about space and the unknown, but are unable to tap it in their everyday life. Students who take part in this project, including the forum, gain importrant social skills that they need to communicate with others. This site is a great opportunity for students to take part in a project larger than themselves, their school, their community, and even their country. It is also a way to nurture their curiosity and build it with knowledge and experience in dealing hands-on with a project like this.

-sb126k

lancemaria · Post by **lancemaria** » Mon May 28, 2007 7:02 pm

yeah! there should be..

cthiker · Post by **cthiker** » Tue May 29, 2007 6:23 am

lancemaria wrote:yeah! there should be..

Well, actually...there is (at least an attempt)!

Notice elsewhere in this forum that presentations are available to bring to the general public. There is even one, which I wrote with good critique from Dr. Bryan Mendez (UCB/Stardust), for Elementary School children. I've already presented that to one group of kids and anticipate doing so again to a larger one (meeting with the local school superintendant to schedule).

I can tell you that, based on comments received by that first group, and comments by other kids who'd heard about it, there is significant interest in science, space, and Stardust in particular. I'm convinced that it takes active "marketing" to reach kids today - maybe because that's how their used to viewing the world (they are often passive scanners rather than active seekers because - IMHO - the level of information overload available can make "digging further" into things seem unnecessary). However, if you spark that interest, it doesn't take much for those "digging further" juices to kick-in...kids haven't really changed, just their environment.

Again, just my humble opinion...

Thanks...and Happy Dusting!!!

Nikita · Post by **Nikita** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:26 am

I did a presentation for my son's 4th grade class. I simply told them about it, told them my son and a 6 year old have done it and that, if they participate, they can say that they are involved with a project online for NASA through Berkeley. I knew they couldn't resist the bragging rights, not as 9 & 10 year olds....

We also talked in the class about how the science involved in projects like this can be used elsewhere and eventually make it into their everyday lives.

Post by **bmendez** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:10 pm

That's great Nikita!

If anyone else has done a presentation with school children, please let me know what you did and how it went.

Thanks,
-Bryan

mikeli · Post by **mikeli** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:59 pm

Hi Pinak,

Stardust can be a very stimulating topic to be introduced to young students. However, before presenting the topic to them, it would be better if students already have a background on Astronomy.

Teaching of stardust to young minds can leave a powerful and memorable impact to young students throughout their lives.