Newton RCUK-SEA -- Capacity Building in STEM to ensure a sustainable community development and a successful astronomical observatory in Timor

3656d239-6441-406f-887d-3b80e86ade83

Closed

Newton Fund
Newton Fund
Newton Fund
Newton Fund
Newton Fund

£159,520

Sept. 3, 2017

Sept. 3, 2019

The STEM education and outreach proposed by this project is aimed at strengthening engagement in local education, as well as specifically targeting teachers, by providing them with resources that can be used to underpin the STEM subjects taught in schools. Exposure to the practical applications of STEM and the opportunity to be involved in these directly is expected to encourage young people to pursue higher level education. Furthermore, to be acquainted with a team of real STEM experts will also be an encouraging experience for them. This early stage human capital development is expected to initiate increased economic development in the longer term.

Potential Impact:
The astronomy education, along with the STEM education, creates specific context in preserving the environment for astronomical purpose and generates local skilled and knowledgeable human resource in the running of the observatory and astronomical research work. A breakthrough in securing hi-tech jobs will surely encourage more local young people to study and work on STEM topics. This STEM education and training is directed towards teachers and high school students due to the still very low efficacy of education in this area. This two-year project constitutes an important foundation for a long term effort towards a sustainable development by providing thoroughly the basic knowledge, skill, and real STEM ideas applied in specific context: a poor countryside with a prospect of hosting a high-tech astronomical observatory.