IAU Office of Astronomy for Education
National Astronomy Education Coordinator Team for China, Hong Kong
NAEC Annual Report –July 2024 to June 2025
Team Chair and Contact Person: Exodus Chun-Long Sit
1. Professionalize Astronomy Education and Natural Science (Dark Sky Research in Different Places):
• Presented at Session of Reimagining Astronomy Education in Europe, European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting 2025, University College Cork, Ireland, with “STEM+A@Astronomy: New Future Approaches for Interdisciplinary Science Communication of Astronomy” - Jun 2025
• Presented at Session of Diversity and Inclusion in Project Management and Leadership, European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting 2025, University College Cork, Ireland, with “ASTROxInclusion: Multiple Intelligence and Diversifying Learning to Communicate Astronomy” - Jun 2025
• Presented at Session of Reimagining Astronomy Education in Europe, European Astronomical Society Annual Meeting 2025, University College Cork, Ireland, with “Advancing Astronomy Education through Dark Sky and Science Communication” – Jun 2025
• Presented at 10th China-Nordic Arctic Research Cooperation Symposium, China-Nordic Arctic Research Center (CNARC), Tongji University, China, with “Interdisciplinary Polar Expedition: Exploring the glacial landscapes, and natural ecosystems, and preserving the night skies of the polar regions” – Apr 2025
• Presented at Global Astronomy Month 2025, Astronomers Without Borders, with “Cultural Storytelling Livestream: Astrophotography and Sky Culture in Tasmania, Australia” – Apr 2025
• The Astronomical Trip to Yunnan (China) was held on mid-April 2025 with 30 participants at the Kunming Dark Sky Region, and Yunnan Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences – Apr 2025
• The photographic works “Aurora Hunter in the Nordics” and “Polar Stratospheric Clouds” have been selected for the polar photography documentary film “HERE: a place based polar image bridge”, showcased in an interactive participatory digital exhibition at Polar Educators International Conference 2025, at the Arctic Science Summit 2025, University of Colorado Boulder – Mar 2025
• Presented at Session of 1.5. Rapid Changes in the Arctic and their Interactions with the Global Climate Systems: Observations, Driving Forces, and Social Consequences, Arctic Science Summit Weeks 2025, University of Colorado Boulder, USA, with “Polar Exploration with Multiple Purposes: Exploring the permafrost, natural species, and astronomical research of the polar regions” – Mar 2025
• Presented at Snap Talk of Polar Educators International’s 6th International Conference and Workshop, Arctic Science Summit Weeks 2025 & Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning, University of Colorado Boulder, USA, with “Some Polar Education Approaches” - Mar 2025
• Presented at African Lunar Symposium, side event of 5th Annual Conference of African Astronomical Society, African Astronomical Society & NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI), University of South Africa Science Campus (Florida), with “Space Classroom in Meteorite Lab: Developing School-Based Lessons on Moon Exploration Using Lunar Meteorites and Historic Artifacts” – Mar 2025
• “Planets in Circular Score” had been displayed at exhibition of The Art of Planetary Science 2025 University of Arizona, USA – Feb 2025
• “The Afterglow of Aurora” (極光餘輝) Astrophoto had been selected to displayed in “Exhibition of The Arts of Aurora 2025- The Promised Land" at Hong Kong Cultural Center, organized by the Aurora Association – Jan 2025
• Presented at Side event of 1st World Day for Glaciers and World Water Day, in the United Nations International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 (IYGP2025), World Meteorological Organization & United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with “Interdisciplinary Polar Expedition: Investigating Glacial Landscapes and Natural Ecosystems of the Polar Regions” – Jan 2025
• Presented at Side event of the United Nations International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation 2025 (IYGP2025), World Meteorological Organization & United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with “Polar Exploration with Multiple Purposes: Exploring the permafrost, natural species, and astronomical research of the polar regions” – Jan 2025
• Presented at Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group 2024, Lunar and Planetary Institute & Universities Space Research Association, with “Outer Space Classroom in Meteorite Lab: How to Develop School-Based Lessons about Moon Exploration through Lunar Meteorites and Historic Artifacts” – Oct 2024
• Presented at 2024 Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science conference, Lunar and Planetary Institute & Universities Space Research Association, with “Astrox Ideas (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Special-Education): How to Integrate Planetary Science Education into Interactive Classroom and Popular Science Communication” – Oct 2024
• Presented at Global Hands-on Universe Conference (GHOU 2024), with “Dark Sky Initiative in Astronomy Education and Science Outreach through Design Thinking and Social Innovation” - Sep 2024
• Presented at Global Hands-on Universe Conference (GHOU 2024), with “STEM+A@Astronomy: Integrating Astronomy Education into School-Based Curriculum through Engineering Design Cycles and Science Inquiry” - Sep 2024
• Presented at ASP 2024 Conference- Astronomy Across the Spectrum Education & Outreach Everywhere, All at Once (Session of Addressing Climate/Environmental Science and Preserving Dark Skies), Astronomical Society of the Pacific, with “Enhancing Astronomy Education Through Dark Sky Initiative with Design Thinking and Social Innovation” - Aug 2024
• Presented at ASP 2024 Conference (Session of Teaching Astronomy – New Opportunities, Challenges, Tools, and Innovations), Astronomical Society of the Pacific, with “STEM+A@Astronomy: Astronomy Education Through Engineering Design and Scientific Inquiry” - Aug 2024
• Presented at SciAccess 2024 Conference, Ohio State University, with “Bridging the Senses: Innovative Inclusive Notational Tools for Astronomy-Inspired Music Composition” - May 2024
2. Provide Access to Good Resources:
• STEAM Online Column “ASTROMAN’s Stargazing Strategies” in Metro Education Plus
• Natural Science Column “ASTROMAN: Exploring from Astronomy to Geography” in Literature Bimonthly Magazine
• Popular Science Education Column “Engaging Popular Science with ASTROMAN” in Hong Kong Economic Journal Education
• Popular Science Education Column “Learning Astronomy through Comics” in Smart Parents Magazine, Sing Tao Daily
3. Promote Astronomy in Curricula
STEM+A@Astronomy Project in Formal Education
• Starting next year, primary education in Hong Kong will introduce a new subject, transitioning and splitting from traditional General Studies subject to Science subject and Humanities subject. Exodus had participated as an editor for primary school textbook publishers and serving as a consultant in the field of astronomy, astronautics and natural science. When developing new curriculum content for primary school textbooks, Exodus strive to evaluate, examine, and optimize the existing content of previous textbooks (for the old subject) to ensure relevance and the appropriateness of physics knowledge.
4. OAE Networking:
• Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC) of the 6th Shaw-IAU Workshop on Astronomy for Education– since Apr 2024
• Presented at 6th Shaw-IAU Workshops on Astronomy For Education, XXXII General Assembly International Astronomical Union, with “STEM+A@Astronomy: Integrating Astronomy into Curriculum by Engineering Design and Science Inquiry” - Nov 2024
• Presented at 6th Shaw-IAU Workshops on Astronomy For Education, XXXII General Assembly International Astronomical Union, with “Advancing Astronomy Education through Dark Sky Initiative on Design Thinking and Social Innovation” - Nov 2024
• Presented at Executive Committee Working Group on Dark and Quiet Sky Protection, XXXII General Assembly International Astronomical Union, with “ASTROx Dark Sky: Integrating Astronomy Education for Sustainable Practices and Community Engagement” - Aug 2024
• Presented at IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach institutional meeting, XXXII General Assembly International Astronomical Union, with “Hands-on Astronomy: How to integrates STEAM Educational Elements into Astronomy Outreach and Public Education” - Aug 2024
NAEC China-Hong Kong had explored different approaches and platforms with transmedia science communication, featured in television, radio broadcast, online media, and newspaper columns and so on. The following links had included some of our efforts:
https://exodussit.wordpress.com/english
5. Spread the News:
Selected Featured about Astronomy Education and Public Education
From Jun 2023 STEAM Columnist about Astronomy Education in “Metro Education Plus” (新城教育+), Metro Broadcast Hong Kong
20 Jul 2024, 22 Jul 2024
Guest on TVB’s “Hands Up” (TV informative program) about astronomy knowledge and dark sky protection
Oct 2024, Feb 2025 Featured on MBO TV sharing insights on stargazing manner and astrophotography experiences
Jan 2025 Interviewee on Radio Television Hong Kong
Hong Kong United” (凝聚 香港) discussing the dark sky approaches and stargazing environment in Inner Mongolia, China
Jan 2025
Interview on TVB News sharing about the relationship of Chinese New Year (lunar calendar) and moon phases
Oct 2024, Jun 2025
May 2025
May 2025
From Jan 2025
Guest on “World Discovery” radio program (旅遊樂園) sharing astronomy knowledge, dark sky approaches and astrotourism at the Kunming Dark Sky Region and visit experiences at the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Exclusive interview on 2AC Australian Chinese Radio “Inspiring Lives: Exclusive Interview with Remarkable Individuals” sharing about the science literacy of astronomer and experience of science communication
Featured guest on Canadian’s Fairchild Radio “Happy Sunday Night” discussing astronomical phenomenon and aurora hunting
Recurring guest on “The 365 Days of Astronomy” podcast, hosting the segment “ASTROMAN: the Dark Sky Guardian,” presenting astronomy stories and science outreach, USA’s CosmoQuest Podcast (Planetary Science Institute)