Exploring Hands-on Tools For Engaging Youth of All Ages in Astronomy

How can we empower more youth to pursue a post-secondary path in astronomy and other related fields? This is a question that our organization, Indus Space, has sought to answer since 2018. Our organizational mission is to connect youth and educators with concepts in astronomy and space exploration at large. In particular, we strive to make STEM & space topics accessible to everyone, with particular focus on girls and communities historically underrepresented in these fields. Our goal is to (a) use fun and engaging activities to show participants how space science plays an integral role in our lives, (b) to introduce youth to diverse career paths in the space sector, and (c) to celebrate Canada’s role in these achievements. For this conference, we will explain the significance and effect of good hands-on astronomy education by exploring specific types of programming we have developed for youth. The first style is a partnership with local STEM organizations that introduces middle school youth to exoplanet research. The second program style is a unique feature to our organization, where we provide co-op placements to high school students. For each style, we will explore how this approach connects students with astronomy content, and assess their level of interest in these topics, both pre and post activity. We will also share our lessons learned as organizers, assess the impact of virtual learning, and discuss our future vision for expanding our program themes to engage more audiences.