Description
The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a unique 3 week research camp for 16 to 24 year olds which has brought astronomy and culture together for over 50 years. Each year, as part of our project offerings (alongside traditional observation, theory, and coding project groups), we create groups which intersect astronomy with the arts, humanities, and social sciences. These interdisciplinary research groups encourage participants to broaden their understanding of science and the wider impact of astronomy across the globe. These projects serve as a pathway for those from non-scientific backgrounds to engage in astronomy, as well as promoting creativity and developing new perspectives among young people.
In this presentation we will share our learned experience as an international organisation on how to facilitate interdisciplinary research projects for young people. We will also share some examples of projects which worked (and didn’t work!), our reflections, and the feedback from participants engaging in these projects and how it has shaped their research skills and sense of perspective. I will also discuss the other ways we incorporate art in various forms throughout the camp as a compliment to the research offering, to encourage imagination, innovation and skill-sharing.
