Astronomy at the Space Museum

Myriam Becsangèle, a guide at the Space Museum in Kourou, attended the Astronomy training course that was organised by CNES in October 2008. She is already wondering what practical astronomy can contribute to new attractions.

 
“At the museum I learned the main general aspects of astronomy and how to conduct the activities and scientific experiments proposed from time to time in collaboration with the Palais de la Découverte in Paris.  Obviously we tell pupils about the creation of the Universe and the Big Bang, but with this training we really got into the why and the how!” says Myriam with satisfaction.  Naturally curious, this young Guianese-Guadeloupian was lucky enough to be able to attend the course organised by the Planète Science association, and collect a wealth of information to pass onto her colleagues.  Her aim is to galvanise the activities taking place at the Museum to mark the International Year of Astronomy.

Myriam will soon be taking on the role of trainer in order to brief her colleagues at the Museum in the practical, fun aspects of astronomy, so that they in turn can pass them on to the schoolchildren that visit throughout the year.  Without exactly building castles in the sky, Myriam already has a thousand and one ideas in mind.  “In principle we’ll begin by changing the perspective of the visit to the Museum by adding new information.  We plan to offer a questionnaire that children can complete during their visit.  For older visitors, we could add more depth to certain areas such as the solar system, backed up with fact sheets on the planets.  For IYA2009, as well as an observation evening for the general public, we would like to set up a major forum for discussion and action in collaboration with all the school teachers” says Myriam enthusiastically.

Astronomy has the dual advantage of being able to be used permanently as well as periodically.  As an experienced guide, Myriam thinks that “although the visit to the Museum will be enriching in itself – particularly the “Creation of the Universe” part – the temporary attractions offer diversity.  The modules that we will develop further will be decided upon with teachers and pupils.  It’s a real joint effort: the teachers have the theory but we have explanatory, dynamic, teaching materials.  Lastly, as we are not scientists it is easier for us to popularise the subject, particularly for the very youngest visitors, without being hidebound by some of the technical terms used in education.”

But the cherry on the cake was the observation of the sky, which was clearly the highlight of the course for all the attendees! Some of Myriam’s colleagues even joined the group on some evenings until two o’clock in the morning.  “We can see the Moon’s craters with a simple telescope!” they exclaimed. Proof, if any was needed, of the motivation and involvement of the Museum team.

Just as on the French mainland, she too would like to organise outreach astronomical courses in the surrounding communities.  “For example we could propose a planetarium session, a kind of portable mini-universe for identifying the constellations in miniature, followed by a brief theory course and then an evening observing the sky with telescopes, several of which have already been distributed throughout French Guiana.”