The IAU has recognized the importance of astronomy education in the last few decades and in the 2019 IAU Astronomy Education Conference has stressed the aim to increase the quality, quantity, community and impact of astronomy education research and practice (https://iau-dc-c1.org/astroedu-conference/). In this context, the CESAR Team has a lot of value to add.

CESAR, which stands for Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research, is a joint educational initiative developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), the Spanish National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) and the INTA-owned company ISDEFE. Its objective is to provide students from European primary and secondary schools and universities with hands-on experience in Astronomy.

We offer the opportunity to work on the generation of scientific activities to attract youngsters to STEM careers and/or to approach space and high-technology to their daily lifes. These activities are called "Science Cases" and can vary in duration from some hours to up to a full school term being performed either including a visit to ESAC or with on-line support in the class room.

Application deadline: November 30th, 2021

To apply for the 2022 CESAR projects please fill the online application form that you can find here.

 

Field(s) of activity/research for the traineeship
 

Topic 1: Developing interactive front- end for CESAR Space Science Experiences

Topic 2: Inclusion and Diversity in the CESAR Space Science Experiences

Topic 3: CESAR observatories operation support

For the detailed topics descriptions please go to this web page:
https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/esac-trainees/projects-2022

 

 

DEVELOPING INTERACTIVE FRONT- END FOR CESAR SPACE SCIENCE EXPERIENCES

ESAC supervisor(s): Gaitee Hussain, Beatriz González García

The CESAR Team would like to update their producs to ensure they are accessible to children of all genders and diverse backgrounds to increase their engagement in Space and STEM and increase their familiarity with Space careers. This internship should aim at adapting CESAR Science Cases to student-oriented enviroments, making use of IT applications, VR and available e-learning platforms compatible with ESA Data Protection. The existing CESAR materials will be included  in this new interactive environment, allowing students to perform the Space Science Experiences through it. This platform should also contain a back-end that permit evaluators to flexibly interact with the students individually.

Project Duration: 6 months

Desirable expertise or programming language:

• Good understanding  of astronomical concepts 
• Good background in software development for apps and e-learning platforms and telescope front-ends for students 
• With pedagological skills, specially when interacting with 4-18 year-old children 
• Experience designing education materials for inclusive and diverse environments 
• Capable of working in international teams and alone 
• Fluent in English (reading and writing) 
• Creative 
• Capable of meeting milestones within schedules.

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INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY IN THE CESAR SPACE SCIENCE EXPERIENCES

ESAC supervisor(s): Gaitee Hussain, Beatriz González García

The CESAR Team would like to update their producs to ensure they are accessible to children of all genders and diverse backgrounds to increase their engagement in Space and STEM and increase their familiarity with Space careers. This internship would involve reviewing CESAR Science Cases to suggest improvements and to prepare updated materials. The generated materials will be included  in the ongoing Space Science Experiences  (online and onsite, when possible) so the intern  would also support these Space Science Experiences.

Project Duration: 6 months

Desirable expertise or programming language:

• Good understanding  of astronomical concepts 
• Good background in maths and physics 
• Pedagological skills, particularly related to (4-18) year-old children 
• Familiarity with inclusive and diverse environments,
• Good skills in communicating scientific concepts to 4-18 year-old students 
• Fluent (reading & writing) in English 
• Creativity
• Capable of working in international teams and alone 
• Capable of  meeting milestones within schedules

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CESAR OBSERVATORIES OPERATION SUPPORT

ESAC supervisor(s): Gaitee Hussain, Miguel Pérez-Ayúcar, David Gonzalez 

The CESAR Team will resume the automation of onsite observatories operations. This applies to the two CESAR optical observatories at ESAC: Helios (solar telescopes) and Nyx (night telescopes). The observatories are composed of the dome/roof, mount, telescopes, cameras, focusers, guiding system, master computers, weather stations, webcams and network and power units.

The control of the Helios system is programmed via Unix, Python and ASCOM scripts and platforms. The control and operation of the night telescopes is still under definition. The traineeship will involve support to CESAR staff in: 

• support to definition and daily operations of the observatories (in particular Helios);
• observatory hardware checking, mounting and testing;
• evaluate the current control routines, defining improvements and debugging of the MASTER CONTROL program 
• support in the definition and implementation of the night telescopes monitoring and control
• further improvements and debugging of the solar master control programs
• implementation and test of high-def daily image of the Sun

Project Duration: 6 months

Desirable expertise or programming language:

• Good knowledge of physics and mathematics, and understanding  of astronomical concepts
• Practical experience in Python programming and UNIX environments.
• Experience with image processing.
• Knowledge of programs for astronomical equipment control (dome, mount, cameras...) in particular ASCOM, Talon, Indi... 
• Knowledge in astronomical equipment for ground-based observatories
• Practical experience in amateur observing would be an asset.
• Capable of working in international teams and alone
• Fluent  in English (reading and writing) 
• Capable of  meeting milestones within schedules.

 

For behavioural competencies expected from ESA staff in general, please refer to the ESA Competency Framework.

If you require support with your application due to a disability, please email contact.human.resources@esa.int.

Internships can take place remotely, on-site or partially on-site depending on the pandemic situation, and in line with the relevant Establishment’s policy (e.g. possible Green Pass requirement) applicable at the time of starting the internship.