An outreach report for NAO2024 second round

PURPOSE: For fulfilling the requirements to compete in the 2nd round of National Astronomy
Olympiad program-2024. This report is not for the public but for formal submission purposes.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: I had performed an astronomical outreach for fulfilling the

requirements of the NAO2024 examination. During this outreach, I learnt a lot more about
astronomy specifically about sundials and planispheres. In my view, astronomical programs like
this should be conducted more to attract people towards astronomical fields.

DESCRIPTION: As per the purpose,I had made planispheres and sundials . I started my
assignment on 5th March and concluded today i.e. 10th March but started investigating my
assignments from the date these assignments were given. I conducted my outreach activity on
7th March in Prativa Secondary School, Pokhara-3, Nadipur (where I study) and 8th March in
Bal Mandir Secondary School, Annapurna-3, Kaski (where I was a former student). I made some
demonstrative sundials and planispheres physically, sufficiently engaged in learning the
mechanisms of sundials and planispheres so that I could provide more information as far as
possible, made presentations about these devices , presented at schools by notifying students(as
per their interest), and made possible efforts to attract young minds towards astronomy. I made
video reports during my outreach(presentations)and collected letters of appreciation from the
respective schools which are attached to this outreach report form submission. Despite my exam
time running now, I managed to do this assignment. I informed students, collected digital
equipment(projector, laptop, etc.) with the support of family, friends and school teachers.
Though showing the planisphere in day time was difficult because of its significance in night
time, I presented it to students and ensured that they all understood about it.

OUTCOMES: Through this outreach, I learnt a lot about the time measuring devices like
sundials, stars’ composition in the night sky through the planisphere, their working mechanisms
and uses. I shared my knowledge excessively to the students during my outreach. There were
40/50 students from each school attending my presentation. I reached all of them through contact
to both the schools.As per my experience, they learnt about planisphere and sundial as I did. I
found them to be excited about astronomy and concentrating during the presentation. I provided
them sample papers for constructing devices on their own, explained how to make sundials and
planispheres and provided links to know more about these astronomical devices. I think I was
able to attract those schools towards providing students with astronomical knowledge and
facilities.
LEARNINGS: This outreach program was my individual work despite support. As Already
mentioned, this outreach program was very helpful in making me learn much about astronomical
tools and instruments. Everything about my devices, presentations, and video reporting went
well. But due to a problem in time management, I had to conduct my outreach in the next school
during the holiday. I apologize for this inconvenience. Luckily, I learnt more about time
management and planning.

RECOMMENDATIONS: I think there were some challenges conducting my outreach in

schools due to which I needed to change sort of my plannings. So, I think Nepal Astronomical
Society should help us conduct these outreach by convincing schools earlier so that they can
easily welcome us for our outreach. I recommend the NAO programmers that these programs are
better to be conducted earlier so that these assignments and academic examinations do not
coincide which unfortunately I also had to deal with. But I thank you all for providing me such a
wonderful job of learning, exploring and engaging in astronomy. Last but not least, I thank my
family, friends and teachers and the schools for leading me to complete this outreach program.

Related documents and proofs are followed in the submission form.