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Space for Everyone (S4E) Workshop

Amity Centre of Excellence in Astrobiology, AUM

Feb 29-March 1, 2020 from 1000hrs-1600 hrs

Amity University City Campus, Art Guild House A Wing, Kurla W Mumbai

Course Outline

Do you wonder about our Universe? Ever wanted to be involved in an exciting space project while pursuing your day job? Don’t have a formal background in Space studies? Don’t worry! The fascination for space lures many of us. Understanding the Universe, its mysteries, and being part of a space project is a dream many people have but are unable to realize. This 2-day workshop will help you engage in fun discussions and learn about the following from our team of international experts (from Amity, NASA, Mars Society Australia, Open University)

Course Methods

The following methods will be used during the sessions:

  • Short interactive presentations from NASA/ESA/Australian Space Experts with videos and photos, Q&A
  • Skype interaction with astronaut/ famous space scientists. Exclusive Q&A session
  • Hands on activities
    • Examining Mars-like rock samples from across India, possible microorganisms, fossils present on Mars, observing via hand lenses, microscopes. Making scientific notes.
    • Virtual Reality (VR) based Space Exploration Challenge for Participants. (Entering an alien world virtual environment and determining if it is habitable within a limited time. Observing the atmosphere and surface environment, rock samples, terrain features.)

Learning Goals

At the end of the workshop, the participant will:

1. Be a part of the Amity Space Citizen Network, get a chance to be a part of ongoing space projects.

2. Have a deep understanding and appreciation of the Universe, the natural world and our place in it.

Understand basic concepts and tools essential for Space exploration

Feel confident and motivated to be able to contribute to space projects. Take responsibility and work on projects of global consequences.

Goals for Amity

The strategic objectives for Amity are:

Be the first university in India to offer an exciting and interesting course in Space Awareness, thereby promoting its educational courses for students and strengthening its visibility and network in Mumbai.

The participants will have a chance to join the ‘Amity Space Citizen’ network and be a part of a volunteer task force that works on several space projects such as:

  • Designing and building an optical space observatory in Mumbai region for outreach and astronomy research purpose.
  • Assisting with Mars analogue operations at the upcoming Mars Amity Research Station (MARS) at Tso Kar, Ladakh.
  • Assisting Amity researchers in conducting upcoming Mars analogue field research at Lonar Crater and Ladakh.
  • Assisting in Amity’s spaceflight experiments.

Amity will aim to build a network that would strategically support its Space project endeavours. Although not limited to these, we keenly seek interested participants from:

  • Philanthropic Institutions
  • Creative and Media houses
  • Banking and Finance Companies
  • Engineering Companies
  • Education Groups

Course Instructors

Dr. Siddharth Pandey

Head, Amity Astrobio

Dr. Jonathan Clarke

Adjunct faculty Amity Astrobio, President, Mars Society Australia

Dr. Jennifer Blank

Adjunct faculty Amity Astrobio, Scientist, NASA Ames Research Center

Ms. Annalea Beattie

Adjunct faculty Amity Astrobio, Director, Mars Society Australia

Dr. Ranjan Sarkar

Assistant Professor, Amity Astrobio

Dr. Michael Macey

Visiting Researcher, Open University UKK

Mr. Rajdeep Paul

VR Specialist, Theodon Technologies

Mr. Steven Smith

Senior Astronaut, Board Director International Space Station US National Laboratory

Payment Amount:

Rs 2,000 per person

Dr. Siddharth Pandey

spandey@mum.amity.edu