1st Astrophysics School of Crete

The Institute of Astrophysics of FORTH is pleased to announce the launch of the 1st School of Astrophysics of Crete, which will be organized online in collaboration with the Dept. of Physics of the Univ. of Crete and the Association of Physicists of Crete, from March to May 2021..

The school is aimed at selected students who are in the A ' or B' grade of Lyceum, throughout Crete, and are interested to learn more about basic concepts in astrophysics as well as the physical mechanisms shaping  our universe.

Through a series of 8 lectures that will be held online, members of the Institute of Astrophysics will briefly cover the basic areas of modern astrophysics, relying on high school level knowledge that the students already have.

According to the Director of the Institute of Astrophysics Prof. Vassilis Charmandaris:

"This school does not just aim to partly address the gap in the education of the new generation since the interruption of teaching astronomy course in high school. Its main purpose is to provide an incentive to the students so that they discover themselves the joy of understanding the world around us and appreciate the crucial role of modern technology in collecting and analyzing data. We anticipate that this will help them learn how to apply the methodology of solving astronomical questions in other disciplines of physics and of life itself. 

The collaboration of the members of IA-FORTH with the colleagues of the Association of Physicists of Crete, many of whom have direct contact with the students, know their level of knowledge is essential. They are the best suited to explain to the students the benefits of participating in the astrophysics school as well as help us in selecting those who will participate in order to make this event a success. 

We hope to establish the school as a long term tradition will continue to offer the students of Crete quality education for many years to come."

The detailed program of the lectures (in greek) as well as the application process are on the website

https://www.ia.forth.gr/el/astroschool

It is worth noting that the students of Crete who will be selected and will attend all the lectures will receive an official certificate of participation from IA-FORTH.

In addition, those students who wish, can participate in a written online exam on May 22, 2021 on the material presented during the lectures.

Those ranked among the top five in the exams will receive an honorary diploma as well as books in astrophysics books from Crete University Press. Moreover, the first three will have the opportunity to spend two nights at for two nights at the Skinakas Observatory in Psiloritis during the summer and to participate actively in observations together with the astronomers of the Institute of Astrophysics.

The deadline for applications is Monday, March 1 2021.