A way to reconnect with nature, stargazing is a leap into the vastness of space—beyond the linear concept of time and gravity
Stargazing, a wonderful way to navigate the unfathomable through discoveries, hypotheses and theorems that scientists put across.
Educate about Astronomy
Perhaps a practical and interesting way to learn about the galaxy and beyond is by gazing at the nightsky by ditching the textbook pictures. The sheer beauty will encourage your kids to wander off in the mysteries and enthusiastically learn about planets, constellations, galaxies, meteors and galaxies to never forget the lessons in a lifetime. Once the right equipment is assembled at the perfect location with access to an open and relatively lesser-polluted sky, prepare a booklet with all the data and research to guide the young minds by proving the right answers.
Instil a Quench for Knowledge
Tracing patterns on the nightsky and looking for answers is an interactive and immersive activity that will encourage children to become more inquisitive about astronomy and physics. Stargazing is not merely restricted to learning about stars and planets but about asterisms, celestial sights, meteor showers, eclipses, satellites, auroras and other such unpredictable things that would otherwise read like boring jargons to young learners. Eventually, children learn to think, question and form hypotheses. Stargazing allows the insight, knowledge and vision to develop a genuine passion for science.
Form Environmental Awareness
Stargazing has immense challenges especially in urbane spaces where light pollution and encroachment of concrete jungle have distorted and limited the scope of untainted space to stargaze. As you introduce kids to this hobby, you are not merely nurturing within them a keen interest in science but also the environment. Children develop awareness about pollution and its consequences on the flora and fauna such as how it affects the trail of migratory birds, the lifespan of winged creatures, marine life and circadian rhythm of nocturnal animals. New vistas of learning and knowledge are opened to the kids which motivate them to pursue further.
Sharpen Mathematical Skills
Stargazing is an amazing way to introduce kids to the concepts of counting, tracing patterns and recognising shapes. As a group activity or even when learning solo, maths can be seamlessly integrated into astronomy and physics when you partake in stargazing. If your kids are reluctant towards practising maths or learning boring science concepts, there is no better way than to allow them to relish the delightful taste of astronomy under the twinkling sky. When paired in teams, children could also be given tasks and solutions or brain teasers to solve which sharpen their cognitive skills.
